2019 Nissan Rogue vs Murano

When shopping for a new vehicle, many families will be looking at Nissan’s SUV lineup. Both the 2019 Nissan Rogue and the 2019 Nissan Murano are a great choice for families. They’re safe, roomy, and loaded with must-have features. However, there are some clear differences to consider. Let’s find out how the compact Nissan Rogue measures up against the midsize Nissan Murano.

Size and Styling

The 2019 Nissan Murano is clearly larger than the 2019 Nissan Rogue. Not only is the Rogue about 8.0 inches shorter, but it’s also narrower. This means the Rogue will be easier to maneuver in congested parking areas.

Unsurprisingly, there is more overall passenger room inside of the bigger Nissan Murano. However, the difference is not as great as some people may think. Passengers sitting in the Murano’s rear seat will only enjoy an extra 0.8 inches of legroom. Furthermore, tall folks will appreciate the Rogue’s roomier front-seating area. It provides an extra 2.5 inches of legroom.

In terms of cargo space, the Rogue takes a leap ahead of the Murano. It offers an impressive 39.0 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row. Meanwhile, there’s around 32.0 cubic feet of cargo space in the back of the Murano. Families will especially appreciate the Rogue’s larger cargo when packing for a road trip.

When it comes to interior styling, there are a few obvious differences between these crossovers. The Nissan Rogue comes standard with a flat-bottom steering wheel. This feature helps give the Rogue’s cockpit a very sporty feel. On the other hand, expect the Murano’s cabin to have a few more luxurious touches. Aluminum accents and a greater number of soft-touch materials help the Murano to compete on a higher level.

The Nissan Murano offers a better driving position. However, neither SUV provides great outward visibility. Drivers will certainly encounter a few blind-spots. This is especially true for the Murano, which has a small rear window.

Everyone will notice the styling similarities between these two crossover SUVs. They both feature Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille. Nevertheless, the Murano looks just a tad edgier than the Rogue. LED “boomerang” headlamps and a wider stance help the Murano to stand apart from its smaller sibling. You’ll also notice the Murano’s more prominent body lines. Furthermore, dual exhaust outlets are featured on the Murano.

Drivability

The Murano uses one of Nissan’s oldest engines. However, this DOHC V6 engine still packs a powerful punch. Nissan tunes it to develop a solid 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. An Xtronic continuous variable transmission transfers the power to the wheels.

Under the hood of the Nissan Rogue sits a small four-cylinder engine, which develops an acceptable 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. You can also get the Rogue with a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. Nissan rates it to produce a combined 176 horsepower. Like the Murano, all versions of the Rogue come equipped with an automatic CVT.

When driving the 2019 Nissan Murano, there’s no overlooking its more muscular performance. Whether you’re driving up a mountain road or merging into traffic, you’ll appreciate the Murano’s surplus of power. Testers have clocked the Murano with a 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds. This means the Murano is quick enough to satisfy most drivers.

The 2019 Nissan Rogue sacrifices a great deal of performance. Acceleration is quite sluggish. Even when really stepping on the gas, drivers can expect the Rogue to hit 60 mph in a leisurely 9.9 seconds. Car shoppers shouldn’t buy the Rogue for its driving excitement.

Neither of these SUVs is great for hauling stuff. While the Murano can tow up to 1,500 pounds, the Rogue has a maximum towing capacity of 1,102 lbs. Drivers who need to pull something like an ATV or a small camper will be happier with the Murano.

The edge in fuel economy goes to the Rogue. Models equipped with the base four-cylinder engine can return a combined 29 mpg. Meanwhile, opting for the hybrid powertrain improves efficiency to a combined 34 mpg. By comparison, Nissan rates the Murano to deliver a combined 23 mpg. Both SUVs are engineered to use regular unleaded.

All-wheel drive is optional on both SUVs. However, the Nissan Rogue has a higher ground clearance. This helps the Rogue to better manage deep snow. A few more off-road features are also found on the Rogue, which makes it more suitable for trail use. Hill descent control helps the Rogue to safely crawl down challenging slopes.

These crossovers are easy to live with on a daily basis. Like the Rogue, the Murano features speed-sensitive steering. This feature makes the driver’s life easier when trying to maneuver in parking areas.

In regard to handling, neither model has a clear advantage over the other. They handle well enough to inspire drivers with confidence. However, some people may desire a bit more sportiness. On curvy roads, expect to experience noticeable body lean. According to some car critics, the Rogue offers a slightly smoother ride. Expect the Murano’s ride quality to be almost just as good.

Noise control in the Nissan Murano is impressive. Its cabin remains very quiet on long highway trips. Although the Murano’s V6 engine has a low growl when accelerating hard, most people won’t mind. The Rogue also ranks among today’s quietest small crossovers.

Comfort, Options and Performance

Prices for the 2019 Nissan Rogue start at slightly more than $25,000. As expected, Murano buyers will have to spend more money. Nissan lists the 2019 Murano with a starting MSRP of $31,370.

Some of the Murano's key standard features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, satellite radio, keyless ignition, and dual-zone automatic climate. While the base Rogue is missing keyless entry and dual-zone automatic climate control, it does receive a 7.0-inch touchscreen with full smartphone support and satellite radio.

The Nissan Murano is designed to offer a bit more luxury. It offers some premium features not available on the Nissan Rogue. Some of the Murano’s exclusive upgrades include rain-sensitive wipers and HD Radio. Nissan does not offer the Rogue with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen. However, a Bose premium sound system and a motion-activated tailgate are available for both models.

Like the Murano, the Rogue comes standard with Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats. They are ranked among the most comfortable seats in the business. When sitting in the Zero Gravity seats, road trips will be especially relaxing. Quilted leather upholstery is available on the upper trims. However, only the Murano can be equipped with ventilated front seats. Power-folding rear seats are also available for the Murano.

Safety

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is generally considered to be a safe family vehicle. However, it only received a four-star overall safety score from the NHTSA. Luckily, this crossover’s crash-test results were favorable.

In contrast to the 2019 Nissan Rogue, the 2019 Nissan Murano received a perfect overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It actually received a five out of five rating in every critical crash test. Families will be thankful for the Murano’s excellent impact protection.

The Murano benefits from standard forward collision warning with automatic panic braking. This is one of the most valuable active safety technologies on the market. However, even more accident-avoidance technologies are standard on the Rogue. Additional standard features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic notification, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. To get these features on the Murano, buyers must step up to a higher trim level.

Rear automatic braking is offered on both vehicles. This active safety feature gives drivers greater confidence when backing up. Like its larger counterpart, the Rogue can be equipped with a 360-degree camera system. Not only does this four-camera system aid visibility in parking areas, but it also includes Moving Object Detection.

Of these two SUVs, only the Rogue offers Nissan’s sophisticated ProPILOT Assist system. Aside from keeping the SUV centered in its lane, this system also combines stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. Traveling on the highway will be a lot less stressful when using ProPILOT Assist. Simply keep your hands on the wheel and allow ProPILOT to essentially do the driving.

Rear Door Reminder is another great feature available on the Rogue. This system helps prevent pets and small kids from getting left behind in a hot vehicle. If the system detects something may be in the backseat, it will honk the horn as a warning signal.

Although ProPILOT Assist may not be on the Murano’s list of options, it does offer Traffic Sign Recognition technology. By reading road signs, the system helps prevent drivers from getting costly speeding tickets. When traveling, Traffic Sign Recognition also helps drivers to avoid missing critical highway exits. Intelligent Driver Alertness is another safety innovation found on the Murano. This feature is designed to monitor for signs of fatigue, which helps drivers to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.

Which Model to Choose?

Before making a choice, car shoppers should first weigh the pros and cons of both vehicles. The 2019 Nissan Murano is more enjoyable to drive. Its powerful V6 engine promotes a very responsive performance. Even when traveling with passengers and cargo, drivers can expect the Murano to feel strong. On the other hand, expect the 2019 Nissan Rogue to be a slow performer. While the Rogue does not pack a great deal of performance, drivers can look forward to getting very good fuel economy.

Neither crossover is engineered to handle seriously rough terrain. However, a higher ground clearance and extra off-road features give the Rogue an advantage on trails. When taking a camping trip, drivers will appreciate the Rogue’s more adventurous design.

Regardless of which crossover you prefer, your family will have enough room to spread out. However, the smaller Rogue is a bit more accommodating for taller drivers. Families can also take advantage of the Rogue’s larger cargo area. Remember, relaxing Zero Gravity front seats come standard on both the Murano and the Rogue.

When it comes to safety, the Nissan Murano’s superior crash scores will win over some car shoppers. However, the Rogue does come standard with more safety technologies. Drivers will also love the Rogue’s optional ProPILOT Assist system.

Both of these SUVs offer today’s hottest features, including a touchscreen with smartphone integration and a premium sound system. However, the more luxurious Murano offers upgraded creature comforts like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is an excellent family vehicle. It’s great on gas and high on passenger comfort. Affordability is another plus for the Rogue. Unfortunately, this small crossover is not very fun to drive. If you desire a bit more luxury and stronger performance, go with the 2019 Nissan Murano.