Electric Cars

The 2025 Nissan Murano receives a substantial update, moving beyond its dated predecessor with a modern aesthetic, refined driving dynamics, and a more luxurious cabin. While built upon existing structural foundations, the fourth-generation Murano introduces a new powertrain and an upgraded interior experience. This refresh aims to reinvigorate its presence in the competitive mid-size SUV sector, offering improved comfort and technology, despite some performance trade-offs and unchanged fuel efficiency. The vehicle's advancements are a crucial step for Nissan in a continuously evolving automotive landscape.

Exterior Design and Chassis Evolution

The latest iteration of Nissan's mid-size SUV, the 2025 Murano, showcases a profound aesthetic transformation. It retains the underlying structure and chassis components of the previous model, yet its appearance is entirely revamped. Featuring flowing lines, distinctive lighting, a gracefully sloping roofline, and pronounced fenders, the new design successfully disguises its inherited architecture. The wheelbase and overall length largely mirror those of its forerunner, but the vehicle's width has expanded by 2.6 inches, contributing to a broader stance. Riding on larger 20- or 21-inch wheels, the front and rear tracks are also 2.1 inches wider. Despite this increased footprint, skidpad performance has marginally decreased, recording 0.77 g compared to the previous model's 0.81 g, even with wider 255-millimeter Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires.

Initial evaluations highlighted the Murano's controlled lateral movements, with the large 21-inch alloy wheels providing adequate damping on smooth surfaces, ensuring a comfortable ride. However, on less-than-perfect roads, the chassis response proved inconsistent, sometimes agreeable and at other times struggling with the larger wheels. A significant improvement comes from the steering system, which replaces the former hydraulically assisted unit with a more advanced, electronically assisted setup. This enhancement provides notably better feedback and precision, responding effectively to driver input around corners. Under the hood, the continuously variable automatic transmission has been replaced by a nine-speed automatic, paired with a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine. This new engine delivers 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a slight reduction in horsepower but an increase in torque compared to the previous V-6. The 0-60 mph acceleration time is now 7.2 seconds, two-tenths quicker, and the quarter-mile time is 15.7 seconds at 92 mph, matching its predecessor. However, the 50-70 mph passing test reveals a notable delay, taking 5.9 seconds, a full second longer, as the variable compression and displacement systems adjust and the turbo spools up. Despite these changes, the EPA-estimated combined fuel economy remains at 23 mpg.

Interior Enhancements and Market Positioning

The interior of the 2025 Nissan Murano has been significantly upgraded to offer a more inviting and premium experience. Nissan has dedicated considerable effort to designing exceptionally comfortable seating, and the results are evident. The Platinum trim, priced at $51,095, features heated, ventilated, and massaging chairs that are notably plush and supportive. This top-tier trim also includes a head-up display, heated rear seats, and the aforementioned 21-inch wheels. Enhanced forward visibility is achieved through slimmer A-pillars and innovative sail windows. In the Platinum model, occupants will notice an abundance of soft-touch materials, including a leather-wrapped dashboard that elevates the cabin's perceived quality beyond that of some competitors. The front seats' lower H-point contributes to increased headroom, and the wider body expands the cabin's spaciousness. With the optional moonroof, the front row benefits from an impressive eight cubic feet of additional passenger volume, ensuring ample room for all occupants.

Opting for the $48,055 SL trim, which comes with 20-inch wheels, remains a sensible choice, offering a wealth of standard features. These include a 360-degree camera system, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a customizable ambient lighting system with 64 color options. The front-wheel-drive SV variant has been discontinued for 2026, though a 2025 model might still be available at dealerships starting at $41,965. Across all Murano models, the infotainment system is standardized with dual 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment, complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Although it has taken Nissan some time to introduce these comprehensive updates, the 2025 Murano's overall improvements make it a much stronger contender in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment. While it may not resolve all of Nissan's broader sales challenges, this refreshed model represents a crucial forward progression for the brand.

The 2025 Lexus TX 500h F SPORT Performance marks a significant departure from Lexus's traditional emphasis on pure luxury and comfort, introducing an element of exhilarating driving dynamics. For many years, Lexus has been synonymous with vehicles offering a plush, serene, and incredibly dependable experience, often leaving the thrill of the drive to its German counterparts. However, the latest TX 500h challenges this perception, meticulously engineered to cater to North American families desiring ample space without sacrificing an engaging driving encounter. My personal experience revealed a vehicle that is unexpectedly sporty and potent, yet it effortlessly maintains the premium comfort and efficient hybrid operation characteristic of the Lexus brand. This impressive balancing act represents a notable success in automotive design.

The powertrain of the TX 500h is a testament to sophisticated engineering, leveraging hybrid technology to enhance performance rather than merely maximizing fuel efficiency. Central to its design is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which, while capable on its own, is augmented by two electric motors—one situated at the front and a more robust \"eAxle\" at the rear. This integrated system collectively generates a substantial 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for diverse driving conditions. The power is managed through a six-speed automatic transmission, a deliberate choice that prioritizes direct and responsive gear changes over the often-detached feel of continuously variable transmissions found in many other hybrids. This transmission choice contributes significantly to a more connected and enjoyable driving experience. Furthermore, the vehicle's chassis and drivetrain incorporate advanced technologies like the DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system, which intelligently distributes up to 80% of power to the rear wheels, enhancing cornering agility and stability. Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) further refines handling, shrinking the turning radius at low speeds for easier maneuvering and improving stability during high-speed lane changes. Coupled with the F SPORT-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which constantly adjusts damping, the TX 500h boasts a chassis far more capable than its family-oriented appearance suggests. Powerful ventilated disc brakes with six-piston calipers at the front ensure confident stopping power for this nearly 5,000-pound SUV.

Driving the TX 500h is a revelation, showcasing how effectively Lexus has translated engineering theories into real-world performance. The hybrid system's instantaneous electric torque combined with the turbocharged engine delivers seamless and robust acceleration, pressing occupants into their seats without any perceptible lag. This level of power feels remarkably quick for a three-row SUV, making every drive surprisingly engaging. The handling is equally impressive; the DIRECT4 system expertly manages power distribution during cornering, making the vehicle feel nimble and responsive, almost like a sport sedan. The steering is precise, offering excellent road feedback and encouraging drivers to seek out winding roads. What truly sets the TX 500h apart is its ability to deliver this dynamic performance without compromising its core luxury values. The ride remains exceptionally comfortable, absorbing road imperfections with ease, while the cabin offers superior noise isolation, creating a tranquil environment reminiscent of a bank vault. This dual nature—being both a comfortable long-distance cruiser and an athletic performer—is the TX 500h's standout feature. Priced starting around $70,010, it stands competitively against its German rivals from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, often surpassing them in certain aspects. The fuel economy is remarkable for its class, achieving an EPA-rated 27 MPG combined. Practicality is also a strong suit, with 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to a cavernous 97 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, underscoring its versatility as a family vehicle. Although its exterior styling is somewhat conservative, lacking the flamboyant design of some competitors, the F SPORT Performance trim adds an aggressive touch with its dominant "Unified Spindle" grille and stylish 22-inch wheels. The interior blends premium materials, advanced technology, and ergonomic design, featuring a responsive 14-inch touchscreen with seamless wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that hints at its sporty capabilities.

The 2025 Lexus TX 500h F SPORT Performance represents a triumph in automotive engineering, successfully forging a new identity for the brand. Its greatest asset lies in its incredible versatility: it is a profoundly comfortable, quiet, and spacious SUV with a meticulously crafted interior and abundant utility. Simultaneously, it is an authentically enjoyable performance machine, boasting surprising agility and potent acceleration. While its understated exterior might not captivate everyone, this vehicle undeniably offers a comprehensive and elevated driving experience, expertly blending luxury with exhilaration.