• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, Yesterday

Nissan Rogue

Nissan Murano

First impressions mean a lot, and both the Nissan Rogue and Nissan Murano make a good one. 

I recently had the opportunity to spend time test driving both SUVs. If I had to choose between the two vehicles, it would be a tough choice, because they both have many redeeming qualities amid a few dings.  

Choosing between the two would depend on a buyer’s wants and needs. Interestingly, the two models I drove with options are less than $6,000 apart in price, which really isn’t a lot when you consider the price of vehicles. 

The larger Nissan Murano Platinum AWD has a base price of $49,600, or $54,525 as equipped with options including two-tone premium paint (an extra $1,000). 

The slightly smaller Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD has a base price of $40,920, or $48,680 as equipped with options including a hands-free power liftgate ($990) and, more notably, a technology package ($3,200) that includes ProPilot Assist 2.1.

The new hands-free ProPilot Assist 2.1 is a game-changer, and I don’t use that cliche lightly. It's well worth the extra money. It works fabulously and allows drivers to relax and take their hands off the wheel in select highway areas. 

Nissan is still mapping the roads where the system is available -- and as more become available, it will be amazing. ProPilot Assist 2.1 is similar to General Motors’ Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise. Unlike Super Cruise, this current iteration of ProPilot Assist 2.1 doesn’t automatically execute a lane change for you when in hands-off mode. That’s a pity -- but I have hopes that Nissan will catch up eventually. 

To be fair, General Motors has been working on this for a lot longer (I first test drove a Cadillac with it in 2018) and has mapped upwards of 750,000 miles where the system is available. Nissan is only at 115,000 miles mapped so far in the U.S. and Canada. 

Even though it is the more expensive vehicle, the Murano does not have the hands-free technology, which Nissan is strategically rolling out.

The Murano underwent a significant redesign for the 2025 model year, including updated styling, a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and a conventional nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous V6 and CVT. But the ProPilot remains the 1.1 version, which includes steering assist, “intelligent” adaptive cruise and emergency stop. 

Besides the advanced technology of ProPilot 2.1, if gas mileage is important to the buyer, the Rogue is the better choice, with 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined, compared to the Murano’s 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. 

Both vehicles have a noteworthy flat-folding second row, which makes hauling cargo easier, especially four-legged occupants. My foster kittens gave both vehicles four paws up.

Both the Rogue and Murano are kitten-approved.