Nissan’s All-New Murano: Sleek Design and 9-Speed Transmission—Here’s What’s Coming

Nissan’s mid-size SUV Murano
Set to Debut at the LA Auto Show This November
Following a catalog leak revealing its design

The Nissan Murano, first introduced to the North American market in 2002, quickly gained popularity and became a global model sold in over 100 markets. Though it was briefly available in Japan starting in 2004, sales in its home market ended in 2015. However, the Murano has continued to thrive in overseas markets, especially in the U.S. The model debuted in 2014 and is finally set to undergo a much-anticipated generational update after 11 years.

Leaked Design Hints at Bold Changes

The new Murano is scheduled for an official unveiling at the 2024 LA Auto Show in November, but a leaked catalog distributed to U.S. Nissan dealers has given enthusiasts an early glimpse of what to expect. According to Carscoops, both the exterior and interior have seen substantial upgrades.

The grille with Nissan’s logo placed in the center has a horizontal pattern applied to create a sense of unity with the side daytime running lights. The strip-type daytime running lights’ design is reminiscent of wings as it narrows towards the bottom. The bumper grille also has a trapezoidal design similar to the radiator grille and a horizontal pattern.

Streamlined Roofline and Redesigned Rear

While the bonnet and the front upper part are smoothly connected in a streamlined form, the bumper with the air curtain has an aggressive design that creates a contrast. As for the side, the existing design with the roof line and the black color from the A-pillar to the C-pillar was maintained. A chrome line was added below the roof line, enhancing the sense of luxury. The roof line, which draws a streamlined arch, has become lower and more sleek than the current model.

The wheels have also been changed to a more modern design. Horizontal taillights extending along the entire width have been placed for the rear. The taillights extend lengthwise to the rear quarter panel and have a sharp, piercing design on the sides. The rear glass to the tailgate is flat, securing space in the rear. The bumper has a rear diffuser, horizontal reflectors, and a black finish. The front seems to reflect some of the Nissan Kicks design, and the rear appears to reflect some of the Ariya design.

A Modernized Interior
Performance Upgrades

For the interior, its features also shed its plain look. Starting with the wide display that connects the digital cluster and the infotainment display, a new 2-spoke steering wheel, and button-type gear knob have been applied. A strip-shaped ambient light extending from the door has been applied to the upper part of the dashboard.

Also, the top of the dashboard is shaped like a shelf to support the display, and underneath it are horizontal air vents and various buttons for controlling the air conditioning. There are two cup holders and a USB-C port on the center console. In the case of the seats, a diamond pattern is applied to the shoulder rest area to enhance the sense of luxury. Regarding the powertrain, the 3.5L V6 turbo engine mounted on the current model will be replaced with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. It is expected to be equipped with the same engine applied to the Infiniti QX60 and demonstrate a more powerful performance of 268 horsepower and 39.5 kgf.m. In addition, a new 9-speed automatic transmission is expected to be applied to replace the CVT transmission.