At Capitol Nissan, we understand that drivers in Salem and across the Willamette Valley are looking for a midsize SUV that blends comfort, capability, and value. The 2025 Nissan Murano and 2025 Toyota Highlander both deliver in key areas-spacious interiors, modern tech, and strong safety-but the way they go about it is different. The Highlander leans into flexibility with its three-row design and multiple powertrain options, including a fuel-efficient hybrid. The Murano, on the other hand, prioritizes comfort and ease of use with a smooth ride, a refined two-row layout, and features that come standard-no upgrade chase required. Where the Highlander offers variety, the Murano offers focus. The standard dual 12.3-inch touchscreen, Zero Gravity front seats, and Nissan Safety Shield® 360 across all trims make it easy for drivers to get premium features without climbing the trim ladder. For many customers, that translates to more value, less guesswork, and a more satisfying everyday drive. If you want an SUV that's versatile without being overbuilt, and stylish without compromising function, the 2025 Murano brings a confident, comfortable balance that's well-suited to Oregon drivers. Dive into this comprehensive guide about both models' various features, such as design, comfort, technology, and safety, and see for yourself which stands out. When you're ready to take your next step, reach out to us at Capitol Nissan for a test drive and experience the ride of your life.
2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Highlander: Design & Exterior Features
The Murano and Highlander each make a strong first impression, but in different ways. The Highlander has a tall, upright profile that emphasizes utility, while the Murano offers a sleeker silhouette with flowing lines and a sporty floating roof design. LED headlights come standard on both, but the Murano enhances its visual appeal with available signature LED daytime running lights and a more coupe-inspired shape that turns heads without sacrificing practicality. The Murano's standard 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and available 21-inch wheels add to its upscale look, while the Highlander offers similar upgrades-but only on higher trims. Both models offer roof rails and an available hands-free power liftgate, but the Murano's refined design cues, like integrated turn signals in the mirrors and available dual-panel panoramic moonroof, make it feel more upscale right from the mid-level trims.
2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Highlander: Comfort & Technology
Inside, both SUVs offer modern, well-equipped cabins-but the Murano leads in user-focused comfort. Its standard Zero Gravity front seats are engineered to reduce fatigue, and its cabin insulation offers a noticeably quieter ride compared to the Highlander's more upright, three-row layout. While the Highlander wins on seating capacity with room for up to eight, the Murano makes every seat feel more premium. It features standard dual-zone automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and standard dual 12.3-inch NissanConnect® touchscreen displays that are intuitive and clean. The Highlander comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen but offers a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an available digital instrument cluster. Many of the Highlander's more premium interior features-like ventilated front seats or a panoramic moonroof-require stepping into upper trims. On the Murano, you'll find heated front seats and leather-appointed interiors available as early as the SV trim, making luxury more accessible without going top-tier.
2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Highlander: Performance
The Murano takes a streamlined approach with its standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 241 horsepower and smooth, confident acceleration. This tried-and-true engine pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission for a relaxed and refined ride-ideal for everything from city errands to weekend getaways. The Highlander offers a turbocharged 2.4L 4-cylinder (265 hp) and an available hybrid powertrain. While that offers fuel savings, especially in town, the turbo engine can feel a bit abrupt at lower speeds, and the hybrid sacrifices some acceleration and towing capability. Both SUVs offer available all-wheel drive, but the Murano shines for drivers who want strong performance without juggling multiple powertrain options. It's easy to choose, easy to drive, and easy to live with-something Oregon drivers will appreciate year-round.
2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Highlander: Safety
Safety is a strength for both vehicles, and each comes with a full set of advanced driver-assist features. Automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are either standard or available across trims in both the Murano and Highlander. However, the Murano simplifies the experience with Nissan Safety Shield® 360 standard on all trims, while some Highlander safety upgrades-like front cross traffic alert or traffic jam assist-require upper trims or package add-ons. The Murano also offers standard front and rear sonar sensors and an available Intelligent Around View® Monitor, giving you a bird's-eye view while parking, which is a big plus for navigating Salem's tighter spots. Both SUVs score well in crash tests, but for drivers who want fewer decisions and more included features, the Murano makes safety straightforward.
2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Highlander: Overall Value
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a solid, versatile option for larger families needing three rows and hybrid flexibility. But for many drivers, the 2025 Nissan Murano strikes a better balance of comfort, technology, and ease of ownership. With a standard engine, premium features available at mid-trim levels, and a quiet, well-appointed cabin, the Murano delivers refinement without complexity. It's a practical yet upscale SUV that doesn't overwhelm with options-and doesn't ask you to sacrifice what matters. At Capitol Nissan in Salem, OR, we invite you to test drive the 2025 Murano and experience firsthand how well it fits into real life. Whether you're commuting, road-tripping, or just running errands around town, the Murano is designed to make it all feel effortless.
 | 2025 Nissan Murano | 2025 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.4-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Standard Horsepower | 241 | 265 |
| Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 260 | 310 |
| Standard Transmission | 9-speed Automatic | 8-speed ECT Automatic |
| Standard Drivetrain | Front-wheel Drive | Front-wheel Drive |
| Standard Wheels | 20-inch Aluminum | 18-inch Alloy |
| Standard Infotainment Display Size | 12.3 Inches | 8.0 Inches |
| Standard Fuel Economy (MPG) | 21 City / 27 Highway | 22 City / 29 Highway |
| Standard Headlights | LED | LED Projector |
| Reverse Automatic Braking | Standard | Available |