What To Know
- The Murano features a bold and angular front end with a V-motion grille, while the RX 300 exudes a more refined and elegant look with its spindle grille and sharp lines.
- The Murano features a comfortable and intuitive interior with a floating touchscreen display, while the RX 300 boasts a luxurious and high-tech cabin with a large infotainment screen and premium materials.
- The RX 300, on the other hand, boasts a more luxurious cabin, a more powerful engine, and a comprehensive suite of safety features.
When it comes to midsize crossovers, the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 stand out as two popular choices. Both vehicles offer a combination of style, comfort, and performance, but which one is the better option for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the key features and specifications of each model to help you make an informed decision.
Exterior Design
The Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 both sport sleek and modern exteriors, but they have distinct design cues. The Murano features a bold and angular front end with a V-motion grille, while the RX 300 exudes a more refined and elegant look with its spindle grille and sharp lines. Both vehicles come with standard LED headlights and taillights, and offer various wheel designs to customize your ride.
Interior Design and Features
Inside, the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 offer spacious and well-appointed cabins. The Murano features a comfortable and intuitive interior with a floating touchscreen display, while the RX 300 boasts a luxurious and high-tech cabin with a large infotainment screen and premium materials. Both vehicles come with a range of standard features, including dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a premium audio system.
Power and Performance
The Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 offer different engine options to meet your performance needs. The Murano comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The RX 300 offers a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles are available with all-wheel drive for improved traction and stability in various driving conditions.
Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency can be an important factor when choosing a vehicle. The Nissan Murano with front-wheel drive achieves 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Lexus RX 300 with front-wheel drive gets slightly better fuel economy, with 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. However, the all-wheel drive models of both vehicles have slightly lower fuel economy ratings.
Safety Features
Safety is paramount, and both the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 offer a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard safety features include airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. The Murano also comes with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The RX 300 offers Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which includes similar features plus adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
Price and Value
The Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 vary in price depending on the trim level and options selected. The base Murano starts at around $32,000, while the base RX 300 starts at around $45,000. However, the Murano offers a more affordable price point for comparable features and performance.
The Verdict
The Nissan Murano and Lexus RX 300 are both excellent midsize crossovers with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Murano offers a more affordable price point, a spacious interior, and a good balance of performance and fuel economy. The RX 300, on the other hand, boasts a more luxurious cabin, a more powerful engine, and a comprehensive suite of safety features. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which vehicle has a better towing capacity?
A: The Lexus RX 300 has a slightly higher towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, compared to the Nissan Murano‘s 3,000 pounds.
Q: Which vehicle offers more cargo space?
A: The Nissan Murano offers slightly more cargo space than the Lexus RX 300, with 32.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 67.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
Q: Which vehicle has a better infotainment system?
A: The Lexus RX 300’s infotainment system is generally considered to be more user-friendly and intuitive than the Nissan Murano’s system.