Nissan and Honda aren’t appealing to exactly the same buyer in this segment
We’ve been impressed with the Nissan Murano since a new generation was launched for the 2025 model year. From its distinctive design to its luxury-oriented driving character, it has a lot going for it.
A busy period for Nissan—including the reveal of the all-new Sentra and completely revised Leaf EV—has now extended to the Murano, which receives a few changes for the 2026 model year. Here’s a look at what they are, and we’ll also compare the Murano to one of the top mid-size crossovers, the Honda Passport.
Related: 2026 Nissan Sentra Vs. 2026 Honda Civic: 5 Major Differences
New Hands-Free Driving Capability, Standard AWD
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Nissan has removed the base front-wheel-drive Murano SV from the lineup, which means that all models now have all-wheel drive. The price of the remaining three trims has not changed, which are as follows:
- Murano SV AWD: $41,470
- Murano SL AWD: $46,560
- Murano Platinum AWD: $49,600
The previous SV FWD trim started at $40,470, which means the 2026 Murano effectively starts at $1,000 more than the outgoing version. It’s still cheaper than the Honda Passport, though, which begins at $44,750.
Nissan has also added its ProPilot Assist 2.1 system to the 2026 Murano, a significant upgrade over the previous ProPilot system. The new one allows for hands-off driving on compatible roads. You can also take your feet off the pedals as the system manages steering, acceleration, and braking.
On the downside, ProPilot Assist 2.1 is only available on the Platinum trim via the $2,900 Technology Package. Hands-free driving isn’t available on the Honda Passport at all.
The only other change for the Murano is a new SL Comfort Package, a $1,380 option on the SL. This brings with it several features from the Platinum, such as ventilated/massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and a motion-activated power liftgate.
Should You Buy A Murano Over A Honda Passport?
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As mentioned, the Honda commands a higher starting price, and you can spend as much as $53,650 on the TrailSport Elite Blackout trim. The Honda does have a few things in its favor, though.
A 3.5-liter V6 is standard in the Honda, and its 285 horsepower/262 lb-ft of torque bests the Murano’s 2.0-liter turbo-four, which makes 241 hp/260 lb-ft. Many buyers may also trust a bigger V6 more for long-term reliability. It also allows the Honda to tow up to 5,000 lbs, far surpassing the Murano’s maximum of 1,500 lbs.
Most Passport trims are rugged TrailSport models, which have all-terrain tires, driving modes for traversing terrain like snow and sand, an underbody skid plate, an off-road tuned suspension, and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. The Murano has 8.3 inches of ground clearance too, but it has none of the Honda’s other off-road toys.
That being said, the Murano can be equipped with hands-free driving and massaging front seats, and it costs less to access premium features like a Bose sound system, acoustic side windows, and panoramic moonroof.
Final Thoughts
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If you’ll be using your mid-size crossover for normal duties like driving to and from the office, the school run, or your weekly grocery trip, the Murano looks like the better choice. It has many comfort features, is cheaper to buy outright, and is more economical. The available hands-free driving is a welcome addition for the new model year, too.
But if you need a crossover that can take on more demanding tasks like towing and some dirt-road driving, the Honda Passport comes out on top. It will cost more to fuel that V6, but it’s got the power and reliability reputation that Nissan’s VC-Turbo engine does not.