Compare the2026 Nissan MuranoVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

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

Both the Murano and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Nissan Murano is safer than the Outlander:

The Nissan Murano has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Murano’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Murano’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Murano has a standard 760-amp battery. The Outlander’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi With 41 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Mitsubishi.

The Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (241 vs. 181) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Murano is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Murano’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Murano has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.7 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Murano has larger tires than the Outlander (255/55R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Murano’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander ES’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Murano has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander ES. The Murano Platinum’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Murano offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Murano’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Outlander (111.2 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 4 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Murano uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Murano has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (32.9 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Murano. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Murano uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Murano and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Murano is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Murano’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Murano’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Murano’s standard Intelligent Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Murano’s power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s passenger power window and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Murano’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Murano (except SV) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Murano has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Outlander was rated third in its category.