The future of Nissan is up in the air right now. Even so, this Japanese brand is still known for making dependable vehicles. Two of Nissan’s best-selling models are the Rogue and the Murano SUVs. What’s the difference between these two models?

Size matters

The 2020 Rogue and the 2020 Murano are family-friendly SUVs that comfortably sit up to five people. Although, the Rogue is a compact SUV while the Murano is technically in the mid-size SUV class. Even though the Rogue is smaller than the Murano, the Rogue offers more cargo space. 

Performance capabilities 

Neither the Rogue nor Murano are particularly sporty. What makes these SUVs appealing is that they are both smooth rides that are predictable in the best way. That being said, for the most potent driving experience, you will probably want to go with the Murano over the Rogue. 

The Murano gets its power from a brawny 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 260-horsepower. This V6 is mated with a continuously variable automatic transmission. U.S. News considers the Murano’s CVT as one of the best in today’s market. As far as the fuel-economy goes, the Murano is average. It gets a combined 21 mpg. 

If fuel economy is one of your more significant priorities, the Rogue is the better option. The Rogue gets a combined 24 mpg. Other than fuel economy, there isn’t much else to say about the Rogue. This SUV comes with a 170-hp four-cylinder engine that feels underwhelming at times. Class rivals like the Mazda- CX-5  and the Toyota RAV4 offer a more engaging driving experience.

Interior features 

As we mentioned earlier, both the Rogue and the Murano offer comfortable car cabins. These SUVs also get extra points for their upscale-feeling cabins that are complete with easy-to-use infotainment systems. Nissan has made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard features on both of these models. 

The Murano is slightly more attractive because it comes with a sharp 8-inch touchscreen display and comes with more standard features such as voice recognition. The Rogue comes with a 7-inch screen that looks outdated. The Rogue’s infotainment system still works well, though.

Advanced safety equipment

We also like that many advanced safety features are available on both the Rogue and the Murano. Forward-collision warning and emergency braking are standard on both of these models. However, the Rogue offers more standard safety features such as rear-cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. These features are available on the higher Murano trim levels. 

Reliability ratings 

Consumer Reports has given the Rogue, and the Murano above-average predicted reliability ratings. These ratings indicate that both of these Nissans are good options to buy new or used. CR’s data also shows that owner satisfaction for both models is high in critical areas such as overall value, comfort, and style. 

Final thoughts 

There are quite a few differences between the Rogue and Murano but they are both considered good SUVs. Pricing for the 2020 Rogue starts at $25,300, while the 2020 Murano starts at $31,530. Picking between the two comes down to what kind of driving experience you want and how much you are willing to pay.