What's New for the 2026 Nissan Murano

The Short Version

A carryover year changes how you should shop. The redesign settled the big engineering decisions, so the meaningful differences between one Murano and another come down to trim content, packages and paint. That's good news, because you're buying into a design that has already had a full year on the road.

It also creates a common mix-up. A 2025 and a 2026 can sit side by side on our lot looking nearly identical. On the paperwork, the model year tells you less than the equipment does.

Here's how we'd approach it:

• Decide which features you actually want before you pick a trim.
• Compare window stickers line by line, not just the badge.
• Ask what changed in package bundling, since small shifts tend to land there.
• Check incentives on both model years if both are available.

When we walk Murano shoppers through it in person, we go in the same order: design, trims, tech, then colors and packages. To see what's on the ground right now, browse our new Nissan inventory for current Murano stock.

Exterior and Interior Carryover Design

Outside, the 2026 keeps the sharper look from the redesign, with a wide lighting signature across the front and a cleaner, more modern profile than the older Murano. Coming from a pre-redesign model, you'll notice the difference from the curb. Wheel designs vary by trim, so that's one place two Muranos can look different at a glance.

Inside is where the redesign earned its keep. Nissan carried over the redesigned cabin with its wide, screen-forward dash and a more open center area. Seat and trim materials step up as you climb trims, and you'll feel that gap best by sitting in both ends of the lineup.

The available panoramic roof returns too. On a gray Long Island winter afternoon, it changes the feel of the cabin more than most people expect, especially for back-seat passengers. Make sure the car you're looking at actually has one, since it's tied to certain trims and packages.

A few things to check in person:

• How the seat and steering wheel adjust for your height
• Rear-seat legroom with the front seat set for you
• Whether the roof shade blocks enough summer sun

Trim Level Changes

Trim lineups rarely get overhauled in a carryover year, and the 2026 Murano follows that pattern with a familiar ladder from the entry trim to the top one. What can move is the content inside each rung. Automakers often shift a feature from optional to standard, fold a package into a trim, or drop a combination that didn't sell.

That's why we tell shoppers to compare by feature, not by trim name. Two cars with the same badge from different model years can be equipped differently, and a well-optioned lower trim sometimes covers what you want for less than stepping up.

How to compare trims quickly

• Write down your three must-haves, like the panoramic roof, heated seats or a specific driver-assist feature.
• Find the lowest trim that offers all three, standard or as an option.
• Weigh that against the next trim up with those features standard.

Where we come in

Our team can pull a 2025 and a 2026 sticker side by side and point out exactly what moved. It takes a few minutes and saves a lot of guesswork. When you're ready to talk payments, our financing team can walk you through options, though approval always depends on your credit and the lender.

Technology and Driver-Assist Updates

The updated driver-assist suite from the redesign carries into 2026. It's built around Nissan Safety Shield 360, which bundles automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. These run quietly in the background and step in when something looks wrong.

On the infotainment side, the dual-display dash carries over, and smartphone connectivity means your maps and music come along with you. Ask us to pair your phone while you're here. It's the fastest way to know whether the system fits how you actually use your car.

For longer drives, the feature worth your attention is ProPILOT Assist, Nissan's hands-on system that helps manage speed, following distance and lane centering on the highway. Availability depends on trim, so confirm it on the specific vehicle before you get attached to it.

If you're replacing an SUV that's several years old, this is where the gap shows most. Safety tech has moved quickly, and features that were rare a few model years ago now come along as part of the package. Sitting in the driver's seat with the screens on is the quickest way to see how much has changed.

Feature Spotlight: ProPILOT Assist on the LIE

What it does

ProPILOT Assist pairs adaptive cruise control with steering assist. It holds a set speed, keeps a gap to the car ahead and helps keep the Murano centered in its lane. In stop-and-go traffic it can slow the car and bring it to a stop. It doesn't drive for you, and it expects your hands on the wheel the whole time.

How to use it

• Pick a highway with clear lane markings, like the LIE or the Northern State.
• Press the ProPILOT button on the steering wheel to arm the system.
• Set your speed with the cruise controls once you're up to pace.
• Adjust following distance with the distance button.
• Tap the brake or hit cancel to take full control back.

Keep an eye on the driver display. It shows when the system sees the lane lines and the car ahead.

Why it matters

Anyone who commutes west on the Long Island Expressway knows the grind of creeping traffic near the Nassau line. Handing off some of the speed and spacing work leaves you less worn out by the time you arrive. You'll judge it best on a road you drive daily, so book a test drive and we'll help you set it up.

Available Colors, Packages and What to Do Next

Paint and packages are where a 2026 is most likely to differ from the Murano you saw last year. Color palettes get reshuffled, some shades are limited to certain trims, and roof color options can come and go. If you have your heart set on one color, tell us early so we can check what's arriving.

Packages tend to bundle comfort and convenience items, like premium audio, upgraded seating or that panoramic roof, onto a specific trim. Before you sign, make sure the package you're paying for is actually on the car, and that you'll use what's inside it.

What to do next

• Check current offers to see which incentives apply to the Murano right now.
• Get your trade valued before you visit so the numbers are clear.
• Bring your must-have list and your phone for pairing.

Our trade-in value tool gives you a starting number from home. From there, stop by our store in Huntington Station, sit in a couple of trims and drive the one you like on roads you know. We'd rather you leave sure than rushed.