Nissan was once considered to be an edgy firm with the Nissan Armada and Murano being the two lynchpins in the company’s attempts at being a bread-and-butter brand. However, both models suffered from a lack of updates with rivals in both of their segments using the company’s lapse as an opportunity to gain ground and ultimately eclipse Nissan with their own offerings.
The company is not about to take that without a fight and has finally made updates to the Murano and Armada for 2025 with both models getting a long-awaited revamp to bring them back into the race. But are the 2025 Nissan Murano and Armada enough to help the company climb out of its recent swath of troubles? Or is it too little too late?
2025 Nissan Murano Platinum
The Nissan Murano is a classic example of just how far behind Nissan became when it came to CUVs. The original Murano made its debut in the early 2000s and at the time, it was considered a relatively advanced offering with the model being a pioneer in the segment before time and many of its rivals caught up to it. The exterior styling of the 2025 model is softer than before with the front end going for a simpler look with its reworked front grille, headlights, and flowing lower bumper. The look is not as bold as before but at the same time, the simpler design also allows the Murano to have a higher degree of maturity. The side profile flows neatly into the rear which gets a new lightbar, reworked liftgate, and a tweaked bumper. Platinum models like our example get 21-inch alloy wheels with Nissan engineers saying that if they went any bigger, it would begin pushing the limits of the Murano’s platform.
Tech-savvy interior doubles down on comfort
Slip inside and the Murano’s interior will impress you with its own suite of upgrades. It has been a very long time since we have seen a two-spoke steering wheel in a production vehicle but look past that odd detail and the amount of tech here is impressive with all models getting a pair of 12.3-inch screens that cover the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. Higher trims like our example also get Google’s Built-In software too. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard but higher trims get built-in navigation courtesy of Google Maps. The seats in our tester were swathed in Semi-aniline leather but we wished there was more upper back support and the second-row seat is still a bit too tight for taller passengers.
Four-cylinder performance axes old V6
Performance for all Murano models comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder which replaces the outgoing V6 and makes 241 hp with the outgoing CVT being replaced by a conventional nine-speed automatic. The turbo four is alot better than older iterations of the VC-Turbo we have experienced but don’t expect dynamic performance with our tester making the sprint to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds. That’s on the slower end of the segment but the EPA says fuel economy will make up for it to an extent with our tester getting 21/27/23 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving with front-wheel drive versions getting slightly better fuel economy. Towing capacity on the other hand is low with the Murano only capable of towing 1,500 lbs which is far lower than rivals. Handling in our tester was composed but the steering is still too light for our tastes.
Pricing for the 2025 Murano starts at $40,470 for a base S model with the pricing ladder corresponding with each rung in the Murano family. Climb all the way to the range-topping Platinum model and you will be greeted with a base price of $49,600. Our tester had its fair share of optional equipment and it caused the final as-tested price to go past the $50,000 barrier. This pricing is on par with near-luxury rivals but it remains to be seen if the Murano’s revamped styling and higher levels of technology will help it reclaim some of the magic it had in its early years.
2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve
Like the Murano, the 2025 Rmada also underwent major changes. Like the Murano, the Armada went a long time without updates but here it was even more apparent with the outgoing Armada being one of the few full-sized SUVs left that embraced an all V8 lineup and also had enough age to make people notice its last major update was in the 2010s. This time around, Nissan pulled no punches when it came to updates with the 2025 model getting the most extensive revamp the Armada has ever seen. The model is also sold as the Patrol in international markets with Nissan designers linking the two together with one cohesive look.
This look can be controversial depending on who you ask with the crisp front fascia and reworked side profile being balanced out by an odd looking rear end that gets a new rear lightbar and a reworked liftgate design. The PRO-4X also makes its debut and when asked what took the company so long to bring an off-road version of the Armada to our shores (Patrols have had occasional trail-ready versions over the years) reps acknowledged that while the wait has indeed put them behind the curve in terms of sales in the off-road market, it was also strategy with the company waiting until a ground-up redesign was in the works to put one in.
Stylish interior is awash in luxury
The Armada’s revamped interior is still a spacious place to spend time in with the cabin having room for seven to eight passengers depending on trim level. Platinum Reserve models like our example get second-row captain’s chairs with quilted leather upholstery giving the Armada legit luxury credentials. However, the captain’s chairs in our tester also exposed a weakness in headroom with the large sunroof in our Platinum Reserve example exacting a heavy toll on headroom. The third row is best suited for children but can be folded down to help expand cargo room. Like the Murano, most Armadas come standard with a pair of 12.3-inch screens but higher trims including the Platinum Reserve get a larger 14.3-inch screen for the touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
V6 performance
The big change though is in performance with all models getting a twin-turbocharged V6 in place of the aging 5.6-liter V8. While it’s smaller, the engine shares some DNA with the GT-R sports car with many of its components modified for truck and SUV-based applications. In the case of the Armada, it produces 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque which is more than the outgoing V8. The engine has strong acceleration off the line but it’s loud at idle and fuel economy is still lackluster at 16/20/18 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving. Handling is sound, but while we like the revamped camera system and the suspension you still feel its size in cornering and the ride quality can occasionally feel jittery when going over pockmarked terrain.
Pricing for the 2025 Armada is reflective of its place in the market with a base SV model starting at just over $56,000 with pricing only going up from there. Climb all the way up into the Platinum Reserve and the base price goes all the way up to just over $79,000. This figure can ascend very quickly with options and accessories and this version of the Armada can get close to $90,000 if buyers go all in on options and accessories. This pricing also creates a conundrum in cross-shopping situations with the Armada still having to stand out against established benchmarks like the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition with the Platinum Reserve model also going into battle against the Jeep Wagoneer and the GMC Yukon Denali. All of these models offer crisper technology and more ambiance in terms of material quality and features.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.