2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and polarizing design that, over time, became more familiar on the roads. Its distinctive styling featured a blunt and bulbous nose, black windshield pillars creating a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches. Despite its aggressive appearance, the Highlander’s design elements, such as the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels, could overwhelm the overall look. The vehicle was available in various trims, with the hybrid option offered in LE, XLE, Limited, or Platinum specifications. The interior, especially in non-black colors, provided an upscale two-tone look with leather upholstery in higher trims. However, the dashboard's asymmetrical design and the 12.3-inch screen could suffer from reflections, and the mix of illumination colors gave the gauges a busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that once seemed ahead of its time but had since become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were now standard in car design. The interior was conservative, focusing on comfort for commutes and road trips. The Murano’s cabin was user-friendly, with controls logically placed to minimize the learning curve. It offered trims from S to Platinum, with features like power-adjustable seats, adaptive cruise control, and a premium stereo system in higher trims. The Murano emphasized comfort with ample headroom and legroom in its two rows of seating, and the second-row seats even had partial reclining functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. This change resulted in a total output of 243 horsepower, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive optional. While the hybrid system improved fuel efficiency, it compromised driving enjoyment. The Highlander Hybrid’s power was adequate but not thrilling, and the engine sounded strained during hard acceleration. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement. However, the regenerative brakes were an improvement, and the SUV handled well on smooth roads.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. It used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, but the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano excelled in comfort, offering a refined ride that absorbed road imperfections well. It was ideal for commuting and road trips, though its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds.

The Highlander Hybrid Limited offered roomy and supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating/ventilation features. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was adequate but not as generous as previous models, and the wireless charger blocked access to the storage area.

The Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While not the largest in its class, the Murano excelled in ease-of-use with a traditional shifter and ample storage cubbies. Its focus on two rows of seating resulted in generous headroom and legroom, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2021 Highlander Hybrid came with standard connectivity features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL premium audio, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. However, the JBL sound system’s performance varied, and the Driver Easy Speak feature projected the driver’s voice to rear passengers. A video rearview mirror and driver information display added to the tech offerings.

The Murano featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a straightforward menu layout and physical controls. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with an optional 11-speaker Bose stereo and navigation system available.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ equipped the Highlander Hybrid with advanced driver-assist features, including intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the LE trim. The Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was expected to achieve a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS.

The Murano came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor were optional.