While there are many SUVs on the market, few get the praise they deserve. Sure, some SUVs are great at off-roading or offer pure luxury, but not many are known for premium features and comfort. When these models are recognized, they are often considered overly expensive or not practical. The Nissan Murano beats the odds and appeals to its customer base anyway. 

What makes it a better option than the GMC Acadia? We compared the two and saw that Murano has three advantages over its GMC rival. So, let’s see what sets it apart as a Premium SUV.

1. The Nissan Murano has a lower price

When it comes to price, the Nissan Murano is hard to beat. Nissan offers this model at $34,605 to start (after destination fees) for the base trim, the S version. The top-level model, Platinum, begins at $46,155. 

Car and Driver reports that the SV trim, which is the next version up from the base, is the best choice. You get adaptive cruise control, remote start, and power-adjustable front seats that are also heated, for a starting price of $38,145.

The GMC Acadia ranges from $36,145 to $47,945. It’s recommended that the SLT version is the one to get because it offers leather upholstery, heated front seats, remote start, an in-dash navigational system, and a hands-free tailgate for $40,445, which is almost $2,000 more than the Murano’s SV model.

2. The Nissan Murano has more power on its base trim

The Nissan Murano only offers one engine, a 3.5-liter V6, which produces 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and comes with front-wheel drive as standard. You can choose an all-wheel drivetrain for all models in the lineup for an extra price. 

The GMC Acadia offers two engine choices, but the first couple of models in the lineup only get the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powertrain. If you pay quite a bit more for one of the upper trims, you can get a V6 version, which can produce 310 hp. 

The four-cylinder Acadia offers 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and has FWD as standard. Still, you can choose an AWD version for extra money. GMC’s Acadia has a nine-speed automatic transmission working with the model’s four-cylinder engine. 

3. The Murano has a lower curb weight than the GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia three-row SUV has a curb weight of 4,155 lbs for the base version that comes with FWD. Its AWD version weighs 4,342 lbs, according to Edmunds, which makes it a prime candidate for towing up to 4,000 lbs when equipped with other features, like the model’s V8 engine. 

However, most people are looking for fuel efficiency nowadays, especially since gas prices have climbed. The Nissan Murano fits the bill here because of its lighter weight. Its FWD version has a curb weight of 3,865 lbs, while the AWD model weighs 4,009 lbs. 

This enables it to get 20 mpg in the city and an estimated 28 mpg on highway roads. While the Acadia has better gas mileage with its four-cylinder engine, it falls short with the V6 model, which is estimated to get 19 city mpg/27 highway mpg.