- Nissan has dropped a front-wheel drive option from its midsize Murano for 2026
- Prices go up slightly for 2026, but not as much as you might expect for an AWD-only model
People buy midsize SUVs for a lot of reasons. Many of those reasons argue against front-wheel drive (FWD).
Shoppers choose an SUV for its all-weather capability — a situation where many find all-wheel drive (AWD) preferable. They buy an SUV to tow or to go off-road. In both of those circumstances, all-wheel drive can be an advantage.
Of course, some choose an SUV for the added storage space and the ability to see over traffic. In those circumstances, front-wheel drive will do that job just fine. However, for the 2026 model year, automakers face supply chain problems and hefty tariffs that make building as few variants as possible the smart move.
All of that may explain why Nissan has dropped front-wheel drive from the plan for its 2026 Murano midsize SUV. The 2026 Murano will come only in all-wheel drive form.
Nissan radically redesigned its mainstream midsize SUV for the 2025 model year, introducing a swoopy new look and a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine borrowed from luxury brand Infiniti. Our editors loved its comfortable seats but frowned at its surprising road noise and lack of hands-free driving tech.
Nissan resolves one of our complaints for 2026 by adding the well-regarded ProPilot Assist 2.1 system. This system allows hands-free driving on compatible roads. It’s an added-cost option for the new model year but is likely worth it.
Other changes for 2026 include an SL Comfort package that effectively creates a midlevel trim between the basic SL and more sophisticated Platinum grades.
2026 Nissan Murano Pricing:
All prices include a mandatory $1,495 destination fee.
| Model | MSRP |
| Murano SV AWD | $43,165 |
| Murano SL AWD | $48,255 |
| Murano Platinum AWD | $51,295 |
