2017 Nissan Murano: What's Changed

CARS.COM

• Most significant changes: Apple CarPlay will become available later in the model year.
• Price change: Base prices and $900 destination charge are unchanged.
• On sale: Now
• Which should you buy, 2016 or 2017? 2017. Prices are the same, so go for the newer model.

Related: Which Cars Have Apple CarPlay?

Nissan says Apple CarPlay will become available later in the model year on the Murano midsize SUV. CarPlay will be added to the NissanConnect infotainment system with an 8-inch screen and navigation and will be standard on SV, SL and Platinum models and optional on the base Murano S trim.

Another change of note is that driver-alert features will become available on the SV model, also later in the model year. They include a surround-view camera system, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and drowsy-driver alert, and they will be part of the optional SV Driver Assistance Package. Those features are standard on the SL and Platinum models.

The Murano is a five-seat SUV that fits between the larger, seven-seat Pathfinder and smaller Rogue SUVs in Nissan’s lineup. A complicating factor for the Murano is that, although the Rogue is smaller, it is available with a third row of seats for seven-passenger capacity.

The Murano has always stood apart from other midsize SUVs with its bold, distinctive styling. The current generation also offers ample passenger and cargo space and, with the SV and Platinum models, near-luxury interior amenities.

However, its swoopy styling creates some visibility issues for the driver, particularly the wide front roof pillars that can hide vehicles and pedestrians at some angles, and the driving experience is more ordinary than remarkable.

All versions come with a 3.5-liter V-6 and continuously variable automatic transmission that deliver decent performance and fuel economy. All versions also are available with front- or all-wheel drive.

Five-passenger, midsize SUVs tend to get lost in the growing SUV segment because they lack the three-row seating capabilities of larger models and the fuel economy and lower prices of smaller four-cylinder models. It’s hard to miss the Murano, though, which stands out with its curvaceous, racy styling.