Maxima vs. Murano
 

Ya know I actually considered the Murano when I purchased my Maxima. I think they are nice cars and they have way more back seat leg room than the Maxima. My only complaint is how the CVT is configured for the Maxima vs the Murano. They seem to have perfected the CVT with the Maxima but with the Murano and the Altima it just doesn't seem as fluid. I have friend that has a Murano and she loves it so I think you would be good. My experiences with Nissan has been very positive. I have owned 4 Maxima's, 1 Altima and a 240SX and they have been very reliable.

I have a 2016 Maxima and 2018 Murano. The Murano is definitely a different ride but that is expected being it's a crossover. It doesn't have the power and the CVT is configured differently that way. As for the interior, it is a step up from the Rogue. It is more refined and you won't feel like you downgraded too much from the Maxima. The Murano is more "techy" and even their base model comes with navigation. It has ample amount of space also. I'm not a big fan of the steering wheel, but I'm spoiled by the more "sporty" look of the Maxima's steering wheel.

The Murano is a nice vehicle and wins hands down when you have to get in or out easier. I like the interior and for a 5 year old external design, along with the 2019 tweaks, it still looks good! Hopefully you can get a test drive on the 2019. Ask to keep it a few hours or even a day to be sure it is for you. Pssst. You might look at the Lincoln Nautilas to compare and contrast.

Lease rates on the Murano are going to be worse then the Max. Not exactly sure why. I'd suggest another make vehicle if you're actually going to lease it. The vehicle is nice, but you may be stuck somewhere in the $600+ range ($0 down) or worse. If you go SL over Platinum it might also be easer to find; I think the tech is pretty close between those models. But my opinion the SL or Platinum lease should be around $450 at MOST with 0$ down...Anything above $500 is a rippoff, and I've heard people offered deals in the $700 range...hell no, those are financing rates!

Finally got a chance to drive a 2019 Murano Platinum. It drove well enough and I was surprised at the amount of power for the vehicle even though it has a smaller engine then the Maxima. Of course, it doesn’t have the same pick up, but it was adequate for driving around town. The steering was a bit heavier than the Maxima in regular mode. Unfortunately, the Marano does not have a regular and sport mode.

Another thing that I noticed that was disappointing is that the Bose sound system seems to be a couple of steps below the Maxima’s. The sound settings have no option have center point option or surround adjustments. The satellite was not set up in the car so I don’t know if that makes a difference but I don’t think it does.

And finally the last thing that bothered me is that there is no Control knob in front of the armrest like we have in the Maxima to control the options on the center stack touch screen. That seems like a huge omission to me and is disappointing. I think I will continue my search.

Same 3.5 L Engine....Not smaller, different tune.

It does have less hp. Being quieter than the Max is a surprise.....Interesting....

The tunes on the VQ range quite a bit. I see no difference in power from my 02 Altima with 240 and my 12 Altima with 270. And to be honest.....the 02 felt faster.

Thanks for sharing your Murano assessment. This has been a good design for Nissan but it is dated at least 2 years more than the current Maxima. Looks like Nissan is running hard with the Infiniti Q lines. Has anyone priced one of these on a lease? I hear they are right there with the Murano.

The CVT in the Murano has to move another 700 pounds more too.

I'd be willing to bet what is quieter is the tires. Max tires are some of the noisiest I've ever heard in a brand new sedan.

My 2019 - even with 19" rims (wheels) and tires - is quieter than the 2016.
I think it's better active noise cancellation.

It's the tires...I'm telling you...

the new tires (Goodyear Eagle Touring) are awful on older highways (grumbling low-pitch noise).

I agree. On my 2016, it came standard with Bridgstone all season tires which were very noisy on some concrete road surfaces. I did replace those tires with Go0dYear Eagles which were aabout 50% quieter. Lindros2, didn't you say your came with a good grade of Goodyears?