For years, the Nissan Murano has occupied an unusual space in the midsize crossover segment. It has never chased rugged off-road credibility, nor has it leaned hard into performance bravado. Instead, the Murano’s identity has always centered on comfort, design-forward thinking, and everyday ease. With the 2026 Murano Platinum, Nissan appears determined to sharpen that philosophy rather than reinvent it.
The question is whether this top-tier trim finally delivers the kind of upscale experience buyers expect when the price and badge begin edging toward premium territory. After time behind the wheel, the answer is more nuanced—and more encouraging—than past Murano generations suggested.
A Familiar Shape With More Purpose
The Murano’s exterior design remains evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and that works in its favor. Nissan has refined the surfaces instead of rewriting them, giving the 2026 model a cleaner, more mature presence. The Platinum trim benefits from subtle detailing that elevates the look without calling attention to itself.
Chrome accents are restrained. Wheel designs are upscale without appearing oversized or theatrical. LED lighting signatures add definition, especially at night, but avoid the aggressive styling language dominating many rivals. The Murano doesn’t try to look fast or rugged. It looks composed—and that distinction matters.
In a segment crowded with visual noise, the Murano Platinum’s calm design feels intentional.
Powertrain Focused on Smoothness, Not Drama
Under the hood, Nissan continues to emphasize drivability over spectacle. The Murano Platinum’s powertrain delivers predictable response and a smooth flow of acceleration that suits daily driving far more than spec-sheet comparisons.
Throttle inputs feel measured rather than jumpy, which makes stop-and-go traffic less tiring. On the highway, the crossover settles into a relaxed rhythm, maintaining speed with minimal effort. This is not a vehicle designed to chase excitement, but one that prioritizes consistency and confidence.
What stands out most is how cohesive everything feels. The transmission behavior complements the engine’s power delivery instead of fighting it. There’s no sense of mechanical indecision or awkward hesitation. The result is a crossover that fades into the background in the best possible way.
For commuters and long-distance drivers, that matters more than raw output numbers.
Ride Quality That Reflects Its Platinum Badge
Ride comfort has long been a Murano strength, and the 2026 Platinum leans further into that advantage. The suspension tuning absorbs broken pavement with maturity, filtering out sharp impacts without introducing float or excessive body movement.
Urban roads feel controlled rather than stiff. Highway cruising is notably serene, with minimal road noise entering the cabin. Even imperfect surfaces fail to disrupt the vehicle’s composure.
Steering response is light but accurate, reinforcing the Murano’s role as a daily companion rather than a corner-carving tool. Importantly, that softness does not translate into disconnection. The vehicle tracks confidently and remains predictable in transitional maneuvers.
The overall impression is balance—comfort-forward, but never careless.
A Cabin Built for Real Use
Step inside the Murano Platinum and the philosophy becomes even clearer. This interior is not chasing trend-driven minimalism or overwhelming digital theatrics. Instead, Nissan has focused on ergonomics, material quality, and ease of interaction.
Soft-touch surfaces dominate the cabin. Stitching and trim choices feel deliberate rather than decorative. Nothing appears excessive, yet nothing feels cost-cut either.
Seats are a highlight. Supportive without being firm, they strike an excellent balance for long drives. The driving position is easy to dial in, and visibility remains a Murano strong suit thanks to thoughtful window placement and pillar design.
Technology is integrated cleanly. Displays are readable and intuitive, with menus that don’t require a learning curve. Controls remain logically placed, avoiding the frustration common in overly digitized cabins.
This is an interior designed to be lived in—not admired briefly and tolerated later.
Daily Driving Is Where It Shines
What ultimately defines the 2026 Murano Platinum is how it performs in the moments that actually matter. Running errands. Sitting in traffic. Merging onto highways. Spending hours behind the wheel on weekend trips.
In these scenarios, the Murano feels effortless.
Cabin noise remains low at speed. Climate controls respond quickly. Driver-assistance features operate smoothly rather than intrusively. Nothing demands constant attention, and nothing feels unfinished.
That sense of effortlessness is often overlooked in reviews, yet it is exactly what many buyers want. The Murano Platinum doesn’t attempt to impress every second. Instead, it builds trust over time.
The more you drive it, the more its refinement reveals itself.
Not Reinvented, But Reconsidered
Nissan did not attempt to redefine the Murano’s identity for 2026. Instead, it refined the formula with restraint and purpose. The Platinum trim, in particular, demonstrates what happens when comfort, technology, and usability are treated as interconnected rather than competing priorities.
This crossover won’t dominate comparison charts or ignite enthusiast debates. But it doesn’t need to. Its value lies in coherence—how every element supports the driving experience rather than distracting from it.
For buyers who want premium comfort without stepping into luxury-brand pricing or complexity, the Murano Platinum makes a compelling argument.
Sometimes progress isn’t about transformation. Sometimes it’s about making everyday driving feel less ordinary.
