Compare the2026 Mazda CX-70VS 2026 Nissan Murano

The CX-70 SC Plus/Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies 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.

Both the CX-70 and Murano have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-70 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-70 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, all wheel drive, 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 rated the CX-70 second among midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Murano isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

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-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 39 more horsepower (280 vs. 241) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-70 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 82 more horsepower (323 vs. 241) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 99 more horsepower (340 vs. 241) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Murano:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Murano:

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Murano can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-70’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Murano (19.6 vs. 18.7 gallons).

The CX-70 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Murano. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The CX-70 stops much shorter than the Murano:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the Murano (265/55R19 vs. 255/55R20). The CX-70 Turbo/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (275/45R21 vs. 255/55R20).

The CX-70 Turbo/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 Platinum’s 50 series tires.

The CX-70 has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Murano doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 11.6 inches longer than on the Murano (122.8 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

The CX-70 Turbo S Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Murano Platinum pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-70 PHEV SC Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The CX-70 has 29.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Murano (141.6 vs. 112).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-70’s rear seats recline. The Murano’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is only 1500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-70 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Murano doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Murano. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-70’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-70’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-70 Premium Plus/Turbo S 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-70 Premium’s standard 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.

The CX-70 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Murano doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.