Nissan Murano vs Honda Pilot

If you’ve found yourself shopping for an SUV, you’ve probably discovered you have quite the variety to choose from. The market is saturated with these types of vehicles, as drivers in Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel, NJ, and beyond, crave a set of wheels that’s as stylish as it is versatile and capable. However, two lead the pack in forward-thinking engineering: the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot.

Unfortunately, you can only hit the streets in one vehicle at a time, so the team at Cherry Hill Nissan is here to help you decide which one is best suited for your driving needs. Below, you’ll find our Nissan Murano vs. Honda Pilot comparison. Here, we’ll showcase the similarities of these two SUVs, but more importantly, the differences, so you can make an educated decision on your next ride. Let’s jump right in.

Murano vs Pilot: Performance & MPG 

Upon first glance under the hood of these vehicles, you might think there’s not much of a difference. Both the Nissan Murano and Honda Pilot are powered by 3.5L V6 engines that boast over 255 horsepower with at least 240 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, they each offer available all-wheel drive on all trim levels.

That’s where the similarities end. The Nissan Murano is equipped with an Xtronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on each of its trims. This drivetrain provides seamless shifting, acceleration that is quick, and it helps elevate fuel economy. On the other hand, the Honda Pilot offers a standard 6-speed automatic transmission that limits shifting and control.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Murano receives an EPA-estimated 20 city/28 highway/23 combined MPG.* This not only is the standard fuel economy when paired with front-wheel drive, but with all-wheel drive as well, which is quite impressive.

Looking at the Pilot fuel economy, this vehicle gives you 19 city/27 highway/22 combined MPG, according to EPA estimates. However, when you add on the available AWD, this lessens even more to 18 city/26 highway/21 combined MPG.

Murano vs Pilot: Interior Space & Comfort 

Since you’re going to be behind the wheel often, the Murano and Pilot have outfitted the cabin with everything you need to stay cozy on the road. This includes standard cloth upholstery with leather available, and plenty of room for your passengers.

However, when we think about those in the rear row of the Murano and Pilot, one is going to feel more cramped. The Nissan Murano offers more headroom, legroom, and hip room in their back row compared to the Pilot. Additionally, cargo space when all seats are in use is also quite more expansive.

Refer to our chart below to see just how the back rows in the Murano and Pilot measure up.

As you can see, the Murano model’s additional space for rear passengers and cargo is a roomy advantage over what you get with the Pilot.

Nissan vs Honda: Entertainment Technology

Technology is a must nowadays and when it comes to your vehicle, you deserve the most innovative features to keep you connected on the road. While the Nissan Murano and Honda Pilot both offer similar features, when it comes to what’s standard, one tops the charts.

The Murano offers an 8-inch dashboard touchscreen on each of its trims. This NissanConnect® feature comes equipped with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, voice recognition, and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio.

Sadly, if you want any of these features in the Honda Pilot, you’ll have to move to a higher trim to receive them. This is because the standard trim gives you a 5-inch LCD with limited connectivity and no touchscreen.

Regarding audio entertainment, the Murano steps ahead once again. With its available Bose® Premium Audio System, you’ll have up to 11 speakers in your cabin with dual subwoofers that truly enhance whatever you’re listening to.

While an upgraded audio system is also available in the Honda Pilot, it only sports 10 speakers and one subwoofer.

Nissan Rogue vs Honda Pilot: Convenience Technology

Technology in the Murano and Pilot doesn’t end with entertainment and connectivity. It keeps going, giving drivers ultimate convenience while behind the wheel.

This is proven in the Nissan Murano with its Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming technology. This allows you to talk on your phone while driving without putting yourself at risk by taking one hand off your steering wheel.

Another great Murano feature is the hands-free texting capabilities. This will read your texts out loud, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. You can even respond with voice-activated pre-loaded texts. Best of all, these features are standard.

The Honda Pilot also offers standard Bluetooth® hands-free phone technology, but it doesn’t feature hands-free texting until the top trim levels. In today’s age, with texting being one of the most popular forms of communication, this may be a disadvantage.

Murano vs Pilot: Safety Features

Finally, we come to the most important aspect of these two vehicles: safety. Luckily, you’ll find a suite of both standard and available features in each that keep your confidence and assurance high.

The Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot both feature an anti-lock braking system with stability and traction control, plus a tire pressure monitoring system. However, the Murano includes individual tire notification that will tell you which tire is underinflated and requires attention.

Both SUVs also come standard with a plethora of driver-assistive technologies that elevate visibility and can even help avoid possible collisions. In both models, you’ll receive the following features:

• Cruise Control
• Forward Collision Warning
• Rearview Monitor

However, there are available features found in the Murano that aren’t available in the Pilot. These include:

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Front and Rear Sonar System
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Intelligent Driver Alertness
• Intelligent Around View® Monitor
• Many More!

Nissan Murano vs Honda Pilot: Which Vehicle Will You Pick?

Though it’s clear that both the Honda Pilot and Nissan Murano are impressive vehicles, we think one stands above the other. With excellent fuel economy, extra cabin amenities, plenty of space, and the newest safety features, we think you’re going to love the Murano.

To see for yourself, schedule a test drive today at Cherry Hill Nissan. As a popular Nissan dealership in the Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, we’re happy to help you find the best SUV for your needs.

*2020 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates. 20 City MPG / 28 Highway MPG / 23 Combined MPG for Murano®. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.