Compare the2026 Nissan MuranoVS 2026 Mazda CX-50

The Murano Platinum offers an optional front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CX-50 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Murano and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Nissan Murano is safer than the CX-50:

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Murano for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-50.

There are almost 2 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Murano’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

The Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (241 vs. 187) and 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 185) than the CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (241 vs. 219) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 163) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Murano is faster than the Mazda CX-50 4 cyl.:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.7 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Murano has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50’s standard fuel tank (18.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Murano has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Murano, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

For better stopping power the Murano’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

The Murano’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Murano has larger tires than the CX-50 (255/55R20 vs. 225/65R17). The Murano’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (255/55R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The Murano’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Murano has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50. The Murano Platinum’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-50 2.5 S Premium/2.5 Turbo/Turbo Premium Plus.

The Murano has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-50 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan Murano has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Murano has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Murano flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CX-50.

For greater off-road capability the Murano has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Murano to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Murano uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Murano has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (112 vs. 100.3).

The Murano has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.8 inches more rear hip room and 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-50 with its rear seat up (32.9 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

The Murano’s cargo area is larger than the CX-50’s in almost every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Murano. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Murano’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Murano SL/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Murano to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Murano’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Meridian/Premium/Turbo.

The Murano (except SV) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-50.

Compared to traditional radio, the Nissan Murano’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CX-50 isn’t in the top three.