Nissan Murano vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Nissan Murano

2026 Nissan Murano

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 1Nissan Murano wins 4 of 5 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota 4Runner is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Murano has had fewer recall campaigns (16 vs 38).

The two cars

The 2026 Nissan Murano is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,756 lb (Platinum 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2022 Murano and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Murano and the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$2,900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

241 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
192.9 in
Length
194.9 in
78 in
Width
78 in
67.7 in
Height
73.2 in
5,642 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

15
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
2
16
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

7,000
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

Best used year
Year to avoid

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Nissan Murano if…

  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (16 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want more power (up to 278 vs 241 hp)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Nissan Murano

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Nissan Murano specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →