2022 Nissan Rogue vs Murano

Families that are in the market for a new crossover SUV should take a look at what Nissan has to offer. Both the 2022 Nissan Rogue and the 2022 Nissan Murano prove to be great options. While the Rogue is a compact model, the Murano is considered to be midsize.

The Murano and the Rogue offer many of the same appealing qualities. They are comfortable, effortless to drive, and loaded with modern conveniences. Nevertheless, there are also some important differences that car shoppers must consider. This head-to-head comparison will reveal which one of these Nissan models is the better pick.

Size and Styling

For urbanites looking for a vehicle that offers flexibility in crowded settings, the 2022 Nissan Murano's smaller stablemate - nearly 10 inches shorter and 3.0 inches narrower - may be of interest. With its decreased dimensions, the Rogue provides more maneuverability while still offering plenty of interior space to suit most needs.

With extra passenger volume and space, the Murano and Rogue two-row crossovers offer a unique driving experience for up to five people. The Murano's 108.1 cubic feet of total passenger room is perfect for taller drivers while the Rover provides 105.4 cubic feet – both are ideal solutions when you need seating capacity with comfort in mind.

The Rogue offers a surprising level of comfort for its size - just 1.2 inches shy of the Murano's generous 38.7-inch legroom and besting it on rear headspace by 3.5 inches! While larger families will find appreciable shoulder room in the wider dimensions of the Murano, those with smaller clans may opt for even more spaciousness from Nissan’s little crossover star: the Rogue.

In the back of the Murano, there’s around 32 cubic feet of cargo space. This means the Murano has no trouble hauling baby strollers, groceries, and travel luggage. By comparison, the Rogue’s cargo area measures out at 36.5 cubic feet. A useful Divide-N-Hide cargo system also enables the Rogue to tuck away a few more items.

Car reviewers compliment the Rogue on its excellent forward visibility. However, seeing out of the crossover’s narrow back window can be a more difficult task. The Murano’s swooping exterior styling can also compromise rearward visibility. Nissan’s standard blind-spot monitor will prove to be a valuable commodity.

Redesigned last year, the Nissan Rogue is among its segment’s most attractive models. Thin LED headlamps and a “floating” roof help it to stand out. Upper trim levels add larger 19-inch alloy wheels for a bolder stance. Both SUVs flaunt Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille.

The Nissan Murano’s body has more sweeping lines. Its front fascia also features boomerang-style LED headlamps. Furthermore, only the Murano offers Nissan’s popular Midnight Edition appearance package. It adds several blacked-out treatments, including 20-inch black alloy wheels.

Drivability

The Nissan Rogue has undergone a transformation, with the 2022 model year featuring an upgraded VC-Turbo three-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower - 20 more than its predecessor. Impressively, it also delivers 221 lb.-ft of torque to enhance your driving experience around town further. To ensure a smooth ride at all times and get maximum performance from this improved powertrain, Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission provides unparalleled efficiency without compromising on fun behind the wheel.

The updated Rogue is definitely quicker than last year’s model. It can now scamper to 60 mph in a satisfying 7.5 seconds. In the past, this crossover needed about 8.3 seconds to hit the mark. When traveling in mountainous areas, no longer does the Rogue feel weak.

Every Murano trim utilizes a proven V6 engine, which has received several awards. Dual overhead cams help it to generate a decent 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Similar to the Rogue, the Murano comes with Nissan’s gearless Xtronic transmission. Nonetheless, it has not received any recent updates to enhance responsiveness.
With a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds, the Murano is a few ticks quicker than the Rogue. Test drivers praise the Murano for its confident performance. This crossover packs enough muscle to promote trouble-free highway merging.

Neither of these SUVs is great for heavy-duty towing. They are both rated to pull up to 1,500 pounds of cargo. This is good enough for drivers to transport water scooters and most ATVs.

A smaller engine and a lighter curb weight enable the Rogue to offer the best gas mileage. Its cutting-edge VC-Turbo engine has increased efficiency to 30 mpg town/37 mpg freeway. Opting for all-wheel drive drops the Rogue’s fuel economy rating to 28 mpg town/35 mpg town.

While the Murano isn’t as frugal as the Rogue, it’s still not terribly inefficient for a V6-powered model. Drivers can expect to average about 20 mpg in city traffic and 28 mpg on the open freeway. Choosing the available AWD system does change the Murano’s EPA fuel economy rating.

Although neither vehicle is designed for extremely rough terrain, the Rogue proves to be a better choice for traveling on trails, thanks to its 1.3 inches of ground clearance. Outdoor enthusiasts can also make use of the Rogue's off-road driving mode.

The Nissan Murano is an exceedingly comfortable SUV that is highly regarded as one of the top picks for hauling around families, largely because of its adaptable suspension system. Nevertheless, the Murano is prone to excessive body sway while maneuvering around corners, and some automotive experts have noted its imprecise steering.

When it comes to handling and maneuverability, the Nissan Rogue has a clear advantage over its competitors. You can take on twisty roads with confidence knowing that this car-based SUV provides an composed ride even in tough conditions - plus you'll benefit from better navigation when space is limited. Despite the improved road performance, don't expect luxurious ride quality but rest assured your journey will be pleasantly smooth.

Some evaluators consider the Murano to be among the quietest models in its class. The Murano is actually more hushed than some luxury vehicles. Improved cabin insulation also enables the Rogue to offer a quieter ride than before. However, it allows a tad more wind and road noise to creep inside at freeway speeds. Engine noise is also prevalent under hard accleration.

The Murano provides reliable stopping power. When braking at 60 mph, tests show the SUV takes around 120 feet to come to a stop. However, a shorter 0-60 mph stopping distance of 114 feet does give the Rogue an edge over the Murano.

Comfort, Options, and Performance

Like so many other Nissan models, the Rogue and the Murano come standard with Zero Gravity front seats. By keeping the occupant's body in a natural position, these well-sculpted seats effectively reduce fatigue and maximize blood flow. Passengers are ultimately able to experience greater support on lengthy trips. While heating modes can be added to the Rogue’s front seats, only the Murano gives buyers access to cooled front seats.

In terms of rear-seat comfort, it’s a close match between these crossovers. They both feature reclining functions for enhanced relaxation. Heated second-row seats come equipped on the more upscale trims.

Of these two SUVs, the 2022 Nissan Murano feels the most luxurious overall. It features more premium interior materials. However, quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery is offered on both models.

When it comes to technology, the Rogue has a slight advantage. While both crossovers feature a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, only the Rogue offers an upgraded 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay. Because the Murano’s infotainment system runs on older software, its response times are slower.

A fully digital gauge cluster is also exclusively available on the Rogue. Other high-tech goodies that are only accessible on the Rogue include a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

Fortunately for folks who desire a more inspiring sound, both crossovers offer a Bose premium audio system. Other common options include a hands-free rear liftgate, navigation, and a panoramic sunroof.

Prices for the new 2022 Nissan Rogue start at a suggested $27,150. Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Murano has a starting sticker price of $33,300. Although the Murano may cost more, its base trim does provide a few extra niceties. Highlights include keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and two extra USB ports. While the Rogue comes standard with a four-speaker stereo, a six-speaker audio system is found on the entry-level Murano.

Safety

The 2022 Nissan Murano is an exceptionally safe family mover. It scored a perfect, five-star safety rating in every crash test performed by the federal government. Few models in the class offer as much protection. A four-star overall safety rating puts the 2022 Nissan Rogue a notch below the Murano. Its frontal crash scores weren’t as impressive.

Both SUVs come standard with an assortment of active safety technologies. This includes forward collision warning with crash imminent braking, pedestrain detection, blind-spot detection, active lane assistance, and rear auto braking. Keep in mind that the Rogue’s forward collision warning system goes a step further by providing cyclist detection.

Adaptive cruise control is offered on the Murano. However, it’s not as advanced as the Rogue’s available ProPILOT Assist system. Even when encountering curves, navigation-linked ProPILOT Assist can adjust the SUV’s speed accordingly. The system also seeks to keep the Rogue centered in its lane.

Both vehicles can be upgraded with Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which features a total of four cameras. Drivers will appreciate this system’s 360-degree view when dealing with crowded parking areas. Built-in Moving Object Detection further helps you to steer clear of obstacles.

Which Model to Choose?

Car shoppers who’re trying to save money will find the 2022 Nissan Rogue to be a better option. Its starting price is around $6,150 lower. Buyers won’t be sacrificing many features.

In the past, the Nissan Murano was hands-down the better performer. However, a new powertrain has helped the Rogue to close the gap. It’s now able to keep pace with the more muscular Murano. Drivers who commute daily will especially appreciate the Rogue’s higher fuel economy rating.

Neither of these two crossovers is rugged enough to topple hardcore terrain. However, the Rogue is a better vehicle for tackling rural trails. It’s a higher ground clearance and benefits from an off-road driving mode.

Both SUVs perform equally in the comfort department. Both are considered top options for families. While the Rogue offers ample features, the Murano feels a bit fancier overall. Otherwise certain high-tech features are only available on the Rogue. Including a head-up display, a fully digital gauge cluster, and an updated infotainment system.

Both the Murano and the Rogue come standard with enough confidence-boosting safety measures. However, Nissan’s navigation-linked ProPILOT Assistance system only comes with the Rogue. In addition, the Rogue falls behind Murano in terms of providing comprehensive crash protection.