Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Nissan Murano

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Nissan Murano does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Outback and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Nissan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (260 vs. 241) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Murano doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Murano:

The Outback has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Murano. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Subaru Outback as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Nissan Murano is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Murano doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Murano; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Outback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Murano’s (36.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Murano (9.5 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The front grille of the Outback uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Murano doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has .8 inches more rear headroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the Murano.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The Murano’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Outback is .8 inches lower than the Murano (19” vs. 19.8”). The Outback’s rear step up height is 2.1 inches lower than the Murano’s (18.5” vs. 20.6”).

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (34.6 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.3 inches, while the Murano’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the Murano’s in almost every dimension:

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (2700 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is only 1500 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outback uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Murano doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Murano. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s exterior PIN entry system. The Murano doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outback’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Murano’s power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Murano offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Nissan Murano by almost 9 to one during 2024.