Nissan Murano vs Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Nissan Murano presented a fresh and modern exterior design, characterized by a new front look with a wing motif lighting signature that seamlessly integrated into the grille's horizontal slats. This iteration was notably wider, with an increased ground clearance of 8.3 inches, enhancing its road presence. The side profile featured a chrome arch along the windows, intersecting with black trim, adding a sophisticated touch. Despite borrowing some styling cues from the Hyundai Tucson, the Murano's design was more cohesive and refined. The interior saw a sleeker dashboard layout with a horizontally oriented design, fewer buttons, and a push-button gear selector, contributing to a more modern and streamlined cabin. The introduction of "Murano glass-inspired" trim added a unique aesthetic, although the SL trim's shift from genuine leather to leatherette was a notable downgrade.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, available in two trims, offered a blend of retro and modern styling. The base 1958 model featured a nostalgic look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the higher Land Cruiser trim boasted a more upscale appearance with additional color options and advanced off-roading capabilities. The interior of the Land Cruiser was utilitarian yet comfortable, with the Premium Package adding real leather and a sunroof. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, and the rear window design was less practical compared to competitors. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet available, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, although the high load floor required some effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a new powertrain, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering improved acceleration compared to the previous V6 model. The new transmission was a significant upgrade from the old CVT, providing better performance on highways. The Murano's visibility was generally good, although the narrow rear windshield posed some challenges. Active noise cancellation was a standout feature, enhancing the driving experience by reducing external noise.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, but its handling on twisty roads was less impressive. The SUV's suspension absorbed bumps well, and its high seating position provided excellent visibility.

The 2025 Nissan Murano maintained its reputation for comfort, with standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, although heated seat controls were only accessible through the infotainment screen. The Zero Gravity seats in both rows were comfortable, though rear-seat heating was limited to the Platinum trim. The front row offered ample space, with 44.3 inches of legroom and 39.4 inches of headroom, but the second row's legroom decreased to 36.3 inches. Cargo space was competitive, with 32.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded, complemented by a standard power liftgate.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the higher trim, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked support, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, although the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The dual 12.3-inch screens housed the infotainment and driver-information displays, with four USB type C ports available. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a Bose audio system, and ambient lighting, while the Platinum trim introduced a head-up display.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded its displays to two 12.3-inch screens in the higher trim, featuring the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charging, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Nissan Murano came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and automatic emergency braking. ProPILOT Assist was added for adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, with higher trims offering more advanced features. The Murano's safety offerings were expected to improve upon its predecessor's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with additional airbags and reinforced seating.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, although performance varied. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results in specific tests.