2025 Nissan Murano vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Murano showcased a completely revamped front design, featuring a next-gen lighting signature with a wing motif of horizontal lines that seamlessly integrated into the grille's slats. This new face was distinct from its predecessor, appearing wider due to both its horizontal design elements and an actual increase in width by nearly three inches, along with an additional 1.4 inches of ground clearance. The Murano's side profile was accentuated by a chrome arch lining the windows, intersecting with black trim towards the rear. While some styling elements like the winged LEDs and chrome strip were reminiscent of the Hyundai Tucson, the Murano's design was more cohesive and sophisticated. Standard 20-inch wheels were offered, with the Platinum trim boasting 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Murano's interior was modernized with a sleeker, horizontally oriented dash and a streamlined center console featuring a push-button gear selector. The new "Murano glass-inspired" treatment on the dash and door cards added a visually appealing ombre effect, enhancing the aesthetic despite the use of leatherette instead of genuine leather in the SL trim.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille spanning the front end. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile was marked by angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with the optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo. However, the labeling on the silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcut buttons was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with options like engineered wood and carbon fiber trim surfaces.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was equipped with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, known as the 'VC turbo' for its variable compression ratio system, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering a torquier and potentially faster acceleration compared to the previous V6. The nine-speed automatic was a significant improvement over the old CVT, enhancing highway passing capabilities. The Murano offered FWD and AWD options only at the base level, with SL and Platinum trims defaulting to AWD. Visibility was generally good, though the narrow rear windshield posed some challenges. Noise cancellation was effective, especially in the Platinum AWD test vehicle, with active noise cancellation standard and an enhanced version available with the Bose audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid variant added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Telluride models were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering surprising comfort despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively managed bumps. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive comfort features, with standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, easily accessible via a button near the seat-adjustment controls. Heated seat settings were screen-accessible, but Google Built-In allowed voice commands for adjustments. Both front and second rows featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort despite their depth. Interior dimensions improved in the front, with 44.3 inches of legroom and 39.4 inches of headroom with the panoramic moonroof. However, the second row lost 2.4 inches of legroom, now at 36.3 inches. Cargo volume was competitive, with 32.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with seats folded. A power liftgate was standard, with foot activation in the Platinum trim.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats offered significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could accommodate up to eight passengers with a second-row bench in non-Hybrid LX and EX trims. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cu-ft behind the third row and up to 89.3 cu-ft with seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid. Interior storage included a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and various trays and bins for personal items.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The monolith-style display paired two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and driver-information. Four USB type C ports were standard. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Platinum trim added a head-up display, a feature not standard even on the Armada's Platinum Reserve trim.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control touchscreen. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. A native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers were included. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required hard taps and had some delays. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The infotainment screen could be customized with themes from Kia's brand collaborations. A 14-speaker Meridian audio system was available on the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2025 Nissan Murano came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. ProPILOT Assist was added, with SL and Platinum trims featuring ProPILOT Assist 1.1 for navigation-based speed adjustments. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with improved safety offerings in the new model. SL and Platinum trims included a 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View for enhanced visibility.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.