Nobody’s perfect. And the same goes for new model vehicles. Some cars brag about performance and capability but come up short in tech, safety, or reliability. Ultimately, it boils down to what’s important to you and choosing a car that does well with what you need. The 2020 Nissan Murano, for example, isn’t a show-stopping contender in every crossover category. In fact, some critic evaluation scores suggest there’s nothing superbly amazing about it. However, reliability may be its superpower as it is one of the most reliable midsize SUVs you can buy, according to Consumer Reports. And if reliability matters most to you, the Murano deserves a test drive for sure.

The quasi-average score according to Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports put together a recent list of the most reliable midsize SUVs and assigned scores based on a variety of criteria. The 2020 Nissan Murano made this reliability roster, but with a quasi-average and unflattering score in other areas.

The Nissan Murano performs well in a few categories, with its refined 3.5-liter V6. But with an overall score of just 79, which is equivalent to a C in school-aged benchmarks, it’s a quasi-average crossover. Considering others on this list scored much higher, including the 2021 Kia Telluride with its 97-point score, you might assume the Murano is worth passing over.

The 2020 Nissan Murano is still a reliability winner

Consumer Reports put together this reliability list primarily to point out that while some midsize SUVs perform well in reviews, they can sometimes end up being the least reliable. In the case of the popular 2020 Nissan Murano, it’s quite the opposite. It’s unremarkable in some categories that competitors dominate.

For example, visibility isn’t great, and you probably won’t have the off-road capability with the Murano that you would get from others in this class. But it’s unrivaled when it comes to reliability. And that rating alone may be worth its weight in gold and over the long-term vehicle ownership lifetime.

What makes a vehicle reliable anyway?

Consumer Reports ranks new vehicles internally, with test drives and expert evaluations. But when it comes to reliability, they also rely on the feedback of consumers who’ve actually owned these vehicles. Consumer Reports uses extensive survey data that includes repair histories and recalls to expertly predict new and redesigned vehicle reliability. It’s those insights that helped contribute to the ranking of these midsize SUVs, including the very reliable 2020 Nissan Murano.

Why the 2020 Nissan Murano is still worth driving

The 2020 Nissan Murano may be average in terms of cargo space, visibility, and SUV-based capabilities like towing and off-roading. But this midsize crossover doesn’t seem to concern itself with SUV tasks. Instead, it excels in design, fuel economy, comfort, and convenience. You can select your perfect variation from four trim levels, S, SV, SL, and Platinum. And even the base model comes handsomely equipped with tons of driver aids and safety must-haves.

And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe Consumer Reports’ reliability ratings will. Earning a four out of a possible five score in predicted reliability, the 2020 Nissan Murano proves it’s still very much so worth driving.

If you’ve been considering a midsize SUV this year, we might suggest you begin your search by first carving out what you need in must-have capabilities. If you need rugged, off-road SUV beefiness, the Murano may not be a good fit. However, if reliability and overall predicted dependability in a stylish and tech-loaded crossover are what you crave, then you might want to test drive a 2020 Nissan Murano.