Why Isn’t the Most Reliable Midsize SUV of 2023 More Popular?
The Nissan Murano is an all-around solid SUV that’s not nearly as popular as it should be. Not only does J.D. Power consider this to be one of the best midsize SUVs for reliability, but it also delivers formidable performance. Though there is still an audience for the SUV, the Nissan Murano sales fail to match the less reliable Pathfinder, which is still a decently hot seller for the automaker.
Here’s a look into why the most reliable midsize SUV of 2023 isn’t more popular than it currently is.
The 2023 Nissan Murano sales don’t match its reliability
The third quarter of 2023 hasn’t been kind to the 2023 Nissan Murano when it comes to sales. Most people wouldn’t call the vehicle a flop, but one would assume it would be much more popular than it currently is. According to GoodCarBadCar, the Nissan SUV has sold 5,118 units so far this quarter, which is down from the third quarter of 2022. Last year, the vehicle sold a little more with 5,578 units, which also isn’t great.
The biggest problem with these sales is that buyers are missing out on what is essentially the most reliable midsize SUV. J.D. Power gave it an 89 out of 100, which the marketing research firm considers ‘great.’ In fact, this score puts the 2023 Nissan Murano on the verge of being in the ‘best’ category. The Murano has an overall 84 out of 100, which makes this easily one of the best midsize SUVs on the market. For the sake of comparison, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has a 78 out of 100 for reliability and an overall score of 80 from J.D. Power.
The 2023 Nissan Murano offers solid performance
Despite the lower-than-expected sales for the 2023 Nissan Murano, this is one of the best midsize SUVs for performance. According to Edmunds, all trims of the vehicle use a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a maximum output of 260 hp and a torque of 240 lb-ft. It has front and all-wheel drive configurations and uses a continuously variable transmission.
The Murano also offers fairly decent fuel economy. It averages 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. This is a combined average of 23 MPG. Regarding speed, the Murano is no slouch, as it only takes about 7.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour. Perhaps one of the best parts of this vehicle’s performance is that it offers an ultra-smooth ride. One would assume that this degree of performance would influence the sales of the Nissan Murano.
This is one of the best midsize SUVs for safety
The 2023 Nissan Murano is also one of the best midsize SUVs for safety. For starters, the vehicle is a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety. This means that drivers can rest assured that the vehicle is structurally sound enough to offer protection in the event of a crash. Of course, the Murano also has a host of standard safety features with its Shield 360 suite.
Overall, the 2023 Nissan Murano should be much more popular with buyers. It’s reliable, offers solid performance, and has high safety ratings. Perhaps one of the reasons it’s not is that the Murano hasn’t been updated in a while and won’t be until the 2025 model year. Still, this could be a worthy investment for many midsize SUV drivers. Hopefully, the upcoming changes for the Nissan Murano will positively influence its sales.
