Nissan’s 2019 Murano midsize crossover gets an exterior freshening, new features

Nissan’s five-passenger midsize Murano crossover returns for 2019 with a “freshened” exterior design and some new premium interior features, along with additional safety and driver-assistance technologies.

Styling tweaks include a new, bolder V-motion grille; restyled LED headlights (now standard) and LED taillights; and new 18- and 20-inch wheel designs. But the changes are not dramatic, so it’s still clearly identifiable as a Murano – continuing the unique edgy styling that has always set this vehicle apart from its competitors.

The 2019 Murano comes in four trim levels, starting with the base frontwheel-drive S ($31,270 plus $1,045 freight), followed by the front-drive SV ($34,440), our tester for this report; SL ($39,230); and Platinum ($43,530). Allwheel drive can be added to any trim level for an additional $1,600.

New exterior colors for 2019 are Sunset Drift Chromaflair, Mocha Almond Pearl and Deep Blue Pearl.

The Platinum model’s premium interior comes with new semi-aniline leather with diamond-quilted inserts and contrasting micro-piping trim for the seats, door armrests and center console lid.

New interior trim schemes include Dark Wood-Tone (Platinum), Light Wood-Tone (SV, SL) and Metallic (S,

SV, SL).

Included on all models are the new Rear Door Alert and the Intelligent Driver Alertness system, which monitors the driver for signs of drowsiness and inattention.

Optional are the new Intelligent Around View Monitor and an 11-speaker Bose premium audio system, both of which come in the SV Premium Package ($3,500), which was included on our tester. We also had 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Optional are new 20-inch satin-black alloy wheels ($1,730).

The SV Premium Package also included a power panoramic moon roof, intelligent cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, LED fog lights and heated front seats.

All models come with Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seats, NissanConnect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch color touch screen.

SL and Platinum models add NissanConnect with Navigation, which now features door-to-door navigation with 3-D building graphics and satellite images, online POI search and traffic information.

Available is Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes driver assistance, crash avoidance and pedestrian detection systems. It’s part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology. Other features include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. These are standard on the Platinum model, and can be added to the SL with the Technology Package ($1,970).

Among new standard safety features are second-row side air bags and a front passenger knee air bag. Also available are Intelligent

Lane Intervention and Traffic Sign Recognition.

As before, the Murano seats up

The 2019 Murano’s exterior has a more pronounced front V-motion grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, new LED fog lights, new 18-inch and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs and three new exterior colors.