2026 Nissan Murano in Jackson, TN
- The 2026 Murano is Nissan's most comfort-focused SUV, built for drivers who prioritize cabin refinement and long-drive quality over cargo volume or off-road capability.
- New for 2026: AWD is standard on every trim, ProPILOT Assist 2.1 with hands-off highway driving is now available on the Platinum, and the dual 12.3-inch display setup comes standard across all trims.
- This is not the right SUV for families who need a third row, buyers who tow boats regularly, or anyone looking for trail capability. For the Jackson-area empty nester or I-40 commuter, it fills a very specific role exceptionally well.
The 2026 Nissan Murano is built for a specific kind of driver. Not the parent hauling three kids to soccer practice. Not the contractor loading lumber on weekday mornings. Not the angler heading to Reelfoot Lake with a trailer. The Murano is for the Jackson driver who spends serious time behind the wheel on I-40, wants the cabin to feel genuinely quiet and thoughtfully finished, and refuses to pay a luxury brand premium to get there.
Chuck Hutton Nissan carries the 2026 Murano in Jackson and serves drivers across Brownsville, Humboldt, Lexington, and Huntingdon.
- What changed for 2026
- The cabin experience
- ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on I-40 to Memphis
- The VC-Turbo engine and highway efficiency
- Who the Murano is not built for
- The West Tennessee Murano buyer profile
- How it fits in the Nissan lineup
- Test drive at Chuck Hutton Nissan
AWD is no longer a decision. It is the starting point on every single Murano.
The biggest change for 2026 is a meaningful one. Nissan dropped the FWD option entirely. Every 2026 Murano, across all three trims, comes standard with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The system continuously monitors wheel conditions and shifts torque between axles as needed, while running primarily in front-wheel mode during normal driving to preserve fuel efficiency.
That matters for Jackson-area drivers who deal with early-morning rain on I-40, wet on-ramps, and the occasional West Tennessee ice event that shows up without much warning.
The other significant 2026 update: ProPILOT Assist 2.1, Nissan's hands-off-the-wheel highway driving system, is now available as an optional package
on the Platinum trim. According to Edmunds, very few non-luxury vehicles offer a comparable hands-free driving system. The Murano now provides it, and that changes the conversation for commuters who spend serious time on mapped freeways.
Standard across all three 2026 trims:
- Dual 12.3-inch digital displays, instrument cluster and touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless device charging
- Nissan Safety Shield 360 with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Active noise cancellation
On safety ratings: the 2026 Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA. Both are results from independent testing organizations, not manufacturer claims.
Sit in a Murano after sitting in a Rogue and the difference registers in the first thirty seconds.
The front seats in the 2026 Murano are Nissan's Zero Gravity design, standard across all trims. These seats are engineered to distribute weight in a way that reduces pressure points over extended driving. On a ninety-minute round trip to Memphis, that matters in a way that is hard to describe on a spec sheet but easy to feel at the end of the drive.
Active noise cancellation comes standard, and the result is a notably quiet highway experience. The cabin materials and dashboard layout draw clear inspiration from the Ariya electric vehicle, giving the Murano a cleaner, more premium visual tone than the typical mainstream SUV interior.
Here is where the Murano separates itself from its Nissan siblings. The Nissan Rogue is the practical everyday option, built around value and utility for families with full schedules and busy cargo needs. The Nissan Pathfinder is designed for capacity and capability: three rows, serious towing, and the kind of life where you are hauling people and gear to multiple destinations. The Murano is neither of those things. It is the comfort-first option for the driver who has already handled the hauling phase of life and now wants the drive itself to be better.
Available features on upper trims include ventilated and massaging front seats, panoramic moonroof, 64-color ambient LED lighting along the doors and dashboard, and a Bose Premium Audio system with 10 speakers. The Platinum trim adds semi-aniline quilted leather, heated rear seats, and a hands-free motion-activated liftgate. The SL gains access to ventilated and massaging front seats through the SL Comfort Package, which is new for 2026.
Nissan's Zero Gravity seat design was developed to mimic the posture that reduces physical strain during extended periods of sitting. According to Nissan, the design distributes weight to minimize pressure points on long drives.
88 miles from Jackson to Memphis. Almost entirely I-40. This is the specific commute where the Platinum's available system changes the experience.
If you make that Jackson-to-Memphis run regularly, you already know the stretch. Mostly straight, mostly cruise control territory, with traffic situations mixed in depending on the time of day. Our team at Chuck Hutton has talked with a number of Jackson professionals who do this drive two or three times a week, and for that buyer, ProPILOT Assist 2.1 is one of the most relevant features available in the midsize SUV segment right now.
Here is what the system actually does, accurately described:
What it does:
- On compatible mapped freeways, the system manages steering, braking, and acceleration
- On those segments, the driver can take hands off the wheel while the vehicle maintains lane position and following distance
- The system manages stop-and-go traffic at lower speeds
What the driver still does:
- Eyes remain on the road at all times. This is not autonomous driving
- The driver supervises the system and is responsible for responding to unexpected situations at all times
- The system prompts the driver to re-engage when needed
When it activates: On single-lane compatible highway segments using high-definition mapping, which covers much of the I-40 corridor between Jackson and Memphis.
When it disengages: At exits, complex interchanges, and when conditions fall outside the system's operating parameters.
According to Edmunds, ProPILOT Assist 2.1 is "still relatively rare for non-luxury vehicles." That is worth noting for any buyer comparing the Murano to mainstream alternatives in this price range.
This system is optional on the Platinum trim only, as part of the Platinum Technology Package. It is not available on the SV or SL.
The variable compression part is not marketing language. It describes something the engine actually does in real time.
The 2026 Murano runs a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) four-cylinder producing 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The previous Murano used a V6. The new engine is smaller in displacement but delivers comparable output.
The variable compression works like this: the engine continuously adjusts its compression ratio, from around 8:1 for performance demands to 14:1 for fuel efficiency, depending on what the driving moment requires. That adjustment happens automatically, without input from the driver. This same engine technology was first developed for Nissan's Infiniti QX50 before being adapted for the Murano.
On fuel economy, the 2026 Murano returns an EPA-estimated 21 MPG city and 27 MPG highway across all AWD trims. For a midsize SUV with this level of cabin refinement and standard AWD, the highway figure is competitive.
Worth knowing honestly: independent reviewers note that low-speed throttle response can feel slightly soft before boost builds. This is typical of turbocharged four-cylinders in general. At highway speeds, where the Murano is most at home, this characteristic largely disappears.
The VC-Turbo replaced the previous generation's V6, and the shift involved trade-offs. Nissan prioritized efficiency and refinement at cruising speeds over low-speed punch. For a driver whose primary use is highway commuting, that engineering choice aligns well with the actual use case.
The most useful thing this article can do is be honest about what the Murano is not built for.
The Murano is genuinely strong at what it does. But it is not for everyone, and being clear about that builds more trust than avoiding the subject.
The Murano is not the right choice if:
- You need a third row. The Murano seats five passengers maximum, with no third-row option. If your family regularly needs more capacity, the Nissan Pathfinder is designed for exactly that: three rows, up to eight passengers, and serious family towing capability.
- You tow a boat or work trailer regularly. The Murano's maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. That handles a small jet ski, a light utility trailer, or a micro-camper. It does not handle the pontoon boats and bass boats typical of West Tennessee lake weekends. For real towing, the Frontier or Pathfinder are the right conversation.
- You want off-road capability. The Murano's AWD handles rain, wet roads, and light gravel with confidence. It is not built for trail use, mud, or gravel access roads that require real ground clearance and off-road hardware.
- You prefer an athletic, sporty feel. The Murano is comfort-tuned. The suspension absorbs road imperfections well but does not provide a sharp or engaging feel through corners. That is a design choice, not a flaw.
Naming these trade-offs directly is more useful than glossing over them. The Murano earns its role by being very good at one specific thing: a refined, quiet, technologically advanced driving experience for people who spend meaningful time in a vehicle every week.
There is a specific kind of Jackson driver who has been waiting for a vehicle like this.
The Murano is rarely a first-time buyer's choice and rarely the decision of a family in active kid-hauling mode. The buyer profile that shows up consistently is more specific.
Empty nesters in Jackson's established neighborhoods. Families who have driven practical seven-passenger SUVs for a decade and are ready for something that reflects where they are now rather than where they were with three kids in the back. The Murano's cabin quality lands differently when the third row was sitting empty for five years. North Jackson, East Jackson, and areas near Union University are where this buyer often lives.
Professionals commuting regularly to Memphis or Nashville. A Jackson healthcare administrator, attorney, or executive making the Memphis run two or three times weekly. They want the 88-mile commute to feel less like an obligation and more like usable time. ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on the Platinum exists for this exact scenario.
Second-vehicle buyers in households that already have a Frontier or Pathfinder. The capability is covered. The Murano becomes the daily driver and road trip vehicle for the couple, filling the role that a family SUV used to fill when the logistics were different.
If you are considering trading in your current vehicle toward a Murano, checking what your current vehicle is worth online before visiting the showroom gives you a concrete number to start the conversation with.
Three Nissan SUVs. Three genuinely different answers to three different questions.
Understanding where the Murano fits helps clarify whether it is the right choice for your situation, or whether a different Nissan SUV is actually the better match.
The Nissan Rogue is the practical, accessible option. Excellent safety technology, strong value, built for families and daily drivers who want reliable transportation without a premium cabin focus. If the Rogue covers your needs, it is almost certainly the smarter financial move.
The Nissan Pathfinder is the family vehicle. Three rows, up to eight passengers, towing capability for boats and campers, and the kind of capability West Tennessee outdoor families need. If your life still involves moving people and gear regularly, the Pathfinder is built for that role.
The Murano sits deliberately between those two and the entry point of true luxury brands. Nissan designed it for drivers who have outgrown what the Rogue offers in refinement but do not want to cross into a different brand to find it.
These are not competing vehicles within the lineup. They are three different answers to three different questions, and knowing which question you are actually asking makes the right choice obvious.
The cabin needs to be experienced to be fairly evaluated. A spec sheet does not communicate what 75 miles per hour sounds like from the driver's seat.
The Murano's strengths are largely sensory. How the seat feels after an hour on the road. How quiet the cabin is at highway speed. How the ambient lighting changes the interior feel after the sun goes down. None of those things come through in a review. They come through in about ten minutes behind the wheel on a real road.
Chuck Hutton Nissan, at 495 Vann Drive in Jackson, carries the 2026 Murano lineup and can set up a test drive that reflects how you would actually use the vehicle. Our factory-trained Nissan technicians, genuine Nissan parts department, and Nissan Express Service are available for Murano owners from purchase forward. We serve drivers across Jackson, Brownsville, Humboldt, Lexington, and Huntingdon. For buyers who prefer to handle the paperwork before visiting in person, remote buying options are available.
Call 731-252-5455 or start online.
What is new on the 2026 Nissan Murano?
The 2026 Nissan Murano made AWD standard on all three trims, dropping the FWD option entirely. ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which allows hands-off-the-wheel driving on compatible highway segments, is now available as an option on the Platinum trim. Dual 12.3-inch digital displays are standard across the lineup. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA.
Does the 2026 Nissan Murano have AWD standard?
Yes. All 2026 Nissan Murano trims come standard with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The FWD configuration was dropped for 2026. The AWD system monitors wheel conditions continuously and shifts torque between axles as needed, while running primarily in front-wheel mode during normal driving to maintain fuel efficiency.
What does ProPILOT Assist 2.1 do on the 2026 Nissan Murano?
ProPILOT Assist 2.1 is available as an option on the 2026 Murano Platinum trim. On compatible mapped highway segments, it manages steering, braking, and acceleration, allowing the driver to take hands off the wheel. The driver must remain attentive with eyes on the road at all times and is responsible for supervising the system. It is not available on the SV or SL trims.
What engine does the 2026 Nissan Murano have?
The 2026 Nissan Murano uses a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The engine continuously adjusts its compression ratio between performance and efficiency modes. EPA fuel economy is rated at 21 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.
How much can the 2026 Nissan Murano tow?
The 2026 Nissan Murano has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. This covers small jet skis, light utility trailers, and micro-campers. It is not suitable for boats, pontoons, or heavier recreational trailers. Buyers who need serious towing capacity should consider the Nissan Frontier or Nissan Pathfinder instead.
Is the 2026 Nissan Murano good for the Jackson, TN to Memphis commute on I-40?
Yes. The 2026 Murano is well-suited for long highway commutes like the Jackson to Memphis run on I-40. Standard Zero Gravity front seats and active noise cancellation reduce fatigue on extended drives. The available ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on the Platinum trim manages steering and speed on compatible highway segments, with the driver remaining attentive at all times.
Where can I test drive the 2026 Nissan Murano near Jackson, TN?
You can test drive the 2026 Nissan Murano at Chuck Hutton Nissan, located at 495 Vann Drive in Jackson, TN. The dealership serves drivers across Jackson, Brownsville, Humboldt, Lexington, and Huntingdon. Call 731-252-5455 to schedule or book a test drive online.