Nissan's Significant Investment in the Murano May Be Evolving Into a Substantial Failure | Carscoops

      After a tepid reception, the plans for a revamped Murano have been temporarily halted.

      The new Nissan Murano seems to be having difficulty making its mark in a competitive market.

      Although initial sales were robust, inventory levels have surged, leading to a surplus equivalent to five months of supply.

      Reports indicate that the company has reduced some production and has suspended work on a facelift planned for 2028.

      The 2025 Nissan Murano shows notable enhancements, yet we experienced a sense of disappointment during our test drive earlier this year. We even described the model as a "curiosity that probably shouldn’t exist," pointing out that Nissan managed to sell only 19,316 units in the United States the previous year.

      This perspective appears validated by a recent report indicating that the crossover is having trouble attracting buyers. This is somewhat surprising, given that sales in the first quarter had increased by an impressive 84.1%, totaling 8,702 units.

      Review: The 2025 Nissan Murano Is A Missed Opportunity

      Despite a strong initial performance, Muranos seem to be accumulating on dealership lots. According to Cox Automotive data, Automotive News reports that Nissan now has more than a five-month supply, representing a 15% rise from the 133-day supply in March. It's estimated that there are approximately 153 days’ worth of Muranos available.

      This is a significant amount, and Nissan has reportedly opted to cut production by 21% to better align supply with demand. The automaker is also believed to be offering dealers between $1,000 and $2,000 for each Murano they take.

      Similar to the slow-selling Toyota Crown Signia, which only attracted 2,806 buyers in the first quarter, the Murano is marketed as a street-focused, near-luxury vehicle. The starting price is $40,470, making it smaller and pricier than the Pathfinder.

      Although the model comes well-equipped, it has several notable omissions. One of the most significant is the lack of ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which is available in the more budget-friendly Rogue but not in the flagship crossover.

      This isn’t the sole concern, as it was felt the model should have included a hybrid powertrain rather than the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine that produces 241 hp (180 kW / 244 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque. Others share this view, with an insider mentioning that “a large share of the Murano’s customer demographic, middle-aged women, prefer a hybrid powertrain.”

      Nissan recognizes the issue, as an official acknowledged they were “aggressive” with their forecasts and “front-loaded a lot of production.” That strategy seems to have shifted, and incentives have increased.

      It remains uncertain how this situation will unfold, but Automotive News reported on a memo sent to suppliers indicating that the development of the 2028 Murano facelift has been halted. This program is expected to be reassessed next month, and the outcome may have significant consequences.