Nissan Murano Ground Clearance: What To Know
Nissan Murano 350XV by TTTNIS — CC0 1.0
The Murano is one of six total SUV models that Nissan currently manufactures alongside the Kicks, Rogue and Rogue sport, Pathfinder, and Armada and fits in the midsize crossover class.
The Murano’s ground clearance is just under 7 inches at 6.9, and is right in the middle of the pack for midsize SUVs. While the Murano is a great option to handle urban areas and offers a smooth and comfortable ride, you shouldn’t try to get too crazy with it off the beaten path.
Like many in its class, it will handle poor weather conditions like mud, snow, and rain due to its All-wheel drive and enhanced Nissan safety features, but it lacks the true athleticism like a Jeep or lightweight sport utility.
There’s a lot of different variety in body trims and premium levels for the Murano, but all 8 of the 2021 models have the exact same wheelbase, vehicle height, width, length, and ground clearance.
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This is the second year in a row that none of the 8 models clear 7 inches of ground clearance and are smaller than both the Armada and Pathfinder with other competitors in its class. So, the important question to ask, what are some of the benefits of having a vehicle on the smaller side of ground clearance?
Starting in the $40,000 range, the Murano is a strong option for some reliability, performance, and family-friendly safety features. It is well-designed and equipped to make rides more comfortable for bumpy roads and tough conditions, and with the enhanced safety features it definitely can make off-roading a little more manageable.
Blindspot detection, a 360 camera sensor, and automatic braking systems make it a great option for both city and rural or off-road driving. The Murano’s ground clearance won’t allow you to drive over rocks through the river, but most everyday hazards can be handled fairly easily and it doesn’t have the lag of some larger vehicles.
What is Ground Clearance and Why Does It Matter?
Ground clearance is essentially the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle’s underbody and the gap of the tire’s contact with a level surface. This is also known as ride height, and is basically how much your vehicle is separated from pavement, gravel, or other surfaces you’re driving on. It’s one of the most fundamental and important dimensions to research when looking at a vehicle if you’re planning on going off-road.
The lowest hanging part of a car, such as the chassis, is used to determine ride height. In other terms, it’s how much space you have between the bottom of the vehicle to the road. The higher that the vehicle sits off the ground the less likely the undercarriage and mechanical area is to be damaged by rocks, pavement, and other road debris. It’s also helpful for wintery conditions when snow builds up on the road and can get jammed and stuck under the bumpers and tires.
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Does the Murano’s Ground Clearance Allow It to Go Off-roading?
While it’s more suitable for mild weather conditions and uneven roads, it can certainly hold its own if you decide to go into the wild to really test it out. A body lift or protection kit is definitely worth considering if you know that you’ll want to take it out of urban areas, since the grill is chrome bulkier than many in the class.
Since the Murano is still in production with lots of different trims and styles, a kit that provides an additional 1-2 inches of lift can be found online for under $500 before service fees.
It might not come as a surprise with the Murano’s ground clearance being in the middle of the SUV range, that the vehicle size itself is better geared for smaller families for short trips or local travel.
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It’s a great all-purpose vehicle but not one of the strongest options for pure off-roading adventures. It’s a smooth and safe highway cruiser but has the power to handle less than ideal driving situations with its AWD.
The 3.5-liter V6 engine comes with 260 horsepower, which is also found in the Maxima so you know you’ll be getting the power of its sports sedan with a little extra space and natural size. The Murano has stayed relatively unchanged for the last five model years, and has kept its sporty and sleek exterior look.
There have been some slight updates to the interior, and the Murano feels a little bit closer to a luxury SUV than it does for a pure sporting vehicle.
Most sedans have an average ground clearance somewhere between 4-6 inches, while SUVs have an average ground clearance of 6-8 inches. Since the Murano sits just above 5, it is somewhat on the small side.
As a result, having more clearance is typically beneficial, and with the Murano’s sleeker frame it does give up some compared to several competitors.
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