Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2025 Nissan Murano

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-50 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Murano has not been tested.

The CX-50 has standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Murano.

Both the CX-50 and Murano have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Murano’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-50 and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 6 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (256 vs. 241) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-50 is faster than the Nissan Murano:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Murano:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Murano doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-50 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Murano doesn’t offer a CVT.

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the Murano:

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano’s 55 series tires.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus handles at .84 G’s, while the Murano Platinum AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum AWD (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8.6 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The CX-50 is 7.1 inches shorter than the Murano, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-50 is 5.1 inches narrower than the Murano, making the CX-50 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-50 easier. The CX-50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Murano’s liftover is 31.6 inches.

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the Murano’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is only 1500 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Murano’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-50’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-50 Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-50’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Murano offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-50 outsold the Nissan Murano by over four to one during 2024.