2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel. The interior was customizable, allowing owners to coordinate colors with ambient lighting, creating a personalized atmosphere. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road vehicle, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with extravagant features.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a more conservative design approach. While its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were once cutting-edge, they had become standard in car design. The Murano's interior focused on comfort and practicality, with a straightforward layout that minimized the learning curve for drivers. It was designed as a comfort-optimized SUV, ideal for commutes and road trips. The Murano's trims ranged from the base S to the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features to enhance the driving experience. Despite its restrained cabin styling, the Murano provided ease of use with controls placed intuitively for the driver.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, particularly the G550 model, which boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class featured a dynamic suspension system with adjustable options, making it adept both on and off-road. The G63 variant took performance to another level with 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its size, the G-Class offered a surprisingly nimble driving experience, though its fuel economy was a modest 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), offering standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Murano excelled in low-speed acceleration, making it ideal for city driving, though the CVT could dampen power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized comfort, providing a smooth ride that absorbed road imperfections well. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many of its midsize SUV competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was not only luxurious but also practical. It offered 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The G-Class had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and featured numerous storage options. However, some luxury features, like ventilated seats, were only available in expensive packages. The G-Class also lacked hands-free access for the tailgate, a feature found in other Mercedes models.

The 2021 Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While not the most spacious in its class, the Murano compensated with user-friendly features like a hands-free power liftgate in higher trims. The Murano excelled in passenger comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The second-row seats even had partial reclining functionality, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was equipped with advanced technology, featuring twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the display to their preferences. The G-Class also included a Burmester Surround Sound system, enhancing the in-car audio experience. The infotainment system ran on Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for easy navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and WiFi, though wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a user-friendly menu layout with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with available upgrades like an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation. The Murano's infotainment system was designed for ease of use, making it accessible for all drivers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a range of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness. The active lane-keeping assist could be intrusive, requiring drivers to understand its operation fully.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams as standard. Additional safety features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control were available. These features enhanced the Murano's safety profile, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious drivers.