2026 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Honda Passport: Which SUV Is Right for You?
The 2026 Nissan Murano produces 241 hp from a turbocharged 4-cylinder and ships with ProPILOT Assist standard on every trim. The 2026 Honda Passport counters with a 285-hp V6 and a 5,000-lb tow rating that the Murano cannot match. This page maps out every key difference so you can shop current Murano inventory at Nissan of Lewisville with confidence.
The Short Answer
Buyers who prioritize a refined interior, hands-free highway technology, and Google Built-In integration will find the Murano difficult to beat in this class. Buyers who need genuine towing capacity or trail-ready off-road capability should look closely at the Passport instead. Neither vehicle is a compromise, they serve different priorities, and the specs below make that divide clear.
Specs Head-to-Head
| Specification | 2026 Nissan Murano | 2026 Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Intelligent AWD (standard) | i-VTM4 AWD (standard) |
| EPA City MPG | 21 mpg | 19 mpg |
| EPA Highway MPG | 27 mpg | 25 mpg |
| EPA Combined MPG | 23 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Ground Clearance | 8.3 in | 8.3 in |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo (behind 2nd row) | 32.9 cu ft | 44 cu ft |
| Max Cargo | 63.5 cu ft | 83.8 cu ft |
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
EPA fuel economy ratings for both vehicles
Performance and Powertrain
The Murano's 2.0L VC-Turbo engine is a variable-compression unit, meaning it shifts its compression ratio between 8.0:1 and 14.0:1 depending on load. That mechanical flexibility lets it deliver 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm while still returning 27 mpg on the highway, which is two mpg better than the Passport in both city and combined driving.
The Passport's 3.5L V6 produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The extra cylinders deliver a broader power band that feels naturally linear, and the 10-speed automatic spreads those ratios tightly for responsive acceleration. For buyers who tow, the Passport's 5,000-lb rating is the decisive number, the Murano's 1,500-lb limit rules it out of serious trailer duty.
Both vehicles offer a drive mode selector and paddle shifters, so spirited driving is accessible on either model.
2026 Murano powertrain details
Interior, Space, and Cargo
The Murano's cabin is built around comfort. Semi-aniline leather-appointed seating arrives on the Platinum trim, and heated, cooled, and massaging front seats are standard on that grade (available on SL through the Comfort Package). Rear passengers benefit from Nissan Zero Gravity outboard seats and additional knee room compared to the previous generation. Dual 12.3-inch displays (instrument cluster and infotainment) span the dashboard in a single seamless panel. Available 64-color ambient LED lighting and an available panoramic moonroof round out the sanctuary feel Nissan targets with this vehicle.
Cargo numbers favor the Passport. With 44 cubic feet behind the second row and 83.8 cubic feet maximum, the Passport carries substantially more than the Murano's 32.9 and 63.5 cubic feet respectively. Families who load gear regularly will notice the difference. The Passport also comes standard with a power tailgate; the Murano's motion-activated liftgate is available through the SL Comfort Package.
For the passenger experience itself, the Murano's interior materials and technology integration stand clearly above the Passport's more utility-focused cabin.
Technology and Safety
The Murano leads this segment in standard driver-assist content. ProPILOT Assist, which combines Intelligent Cruise Control with Steering Assist, is standard on every single Murano trim. Platinum buyers can add the Technology Package to get ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which enables hands-free freeway driving using cameras, radar, and a driver-monitoring system. No equivalent feature exists on any Passport trim.
Google Built-In, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play Store, is standard on the SL and Platinum grades of the Murano. The Passport also offers Google Built-In. Both vehicles support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Murano's dual 12.3-inch display setup compares favorably to the Passport's 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital cluster. An available Invisible Hood View camera and 3D Enhanced Intelligent Around View Monitor on the Murano make parking in tight urban spaces notably simpler.
The Passport counters with seven drive modes (including Trail, Sand, and Tow modes), Hill Descent Control, and the TrailWatch multi-angle camera system on the TrailSport Elite. Those features serve buyers who venture off pavement, a use case the Murano does not address.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Murano and covers Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Automatic Braking, Road-Sign Recognition, Front Parking Sensors, and a Driver-Attention Monitor. Honda Sensing on the Passport is equally comprehensive, with Traffic Jam Assist and Hill Descent Control adding to its standard suite.
Value and Ownership
Both vehicles carry identical warranty coverage: 3 years / 36,000 miles basic and 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain. Neither has a meaningful advantage there.
The Murano's fuel efficiency edge is real and cumulative. At 23 combined vs the Passport's 21 combined, daily drivers in the Lewisville area will see lower fuel costs year over year. The VC-Turbo also runs on regular unleaded, keeping fill-up costs accessible.
The Murano's three-trim structure (SV, SL, Platinum) is straightforward. The Passport offers six trims (RTL, RTL Towing, RTL Blackout, TrailSport, TrailSport Blackout, TrailSport Elite), which gives buyers more granular choices but also adds complexity to the selection process.
Standard AWD on every Murano trim means no buyer in Lewisville or anywhere in the North Texas footprint needs to check whether their trim includes it, it is included without exception.
Which One Should You Buy
Choose the 2026 Nissan Murano if:
- A premium interior with massaging and ventilated seats matters more than cargo volume
- You want hands-free highway driving via ProPILOT Assist 2.1 (available on Platinum)
- Google Built-In and dual 12.3-inch displays are priorities
- You do most of your driving on highways and want the best fuel efficiency in this comparison
- Towing needs stay below 1,500 lbs
Choose the 2026 Honda Passport if:
- You regularly tow a trailer, boat, or camper (up to 5,000 lbs)
- Maximum cargo capacity is a weekly requirement
- Off-road or trail driving is part of your lifestyle
- You prefer a naturally aspirated V6 power delivery
Shoppers in Lewisville comparing these two vehicles are often deciding between refinement and utility. The Murano wins the refinement argument by a clear margin. The Passport wins the capability argument just as decisively.
Find Your 2026 Murano at Nissan of Lewisville
The 2026 Murano is available now in SV, SL, and Platinum grades, each with standard Intelligent AWD and standard ProPILOT Assist. Nissan of Lewisville serves drivers across the Lewisville area and keeps current inventory updated online. If the specs above point you toward the Murano, the next step is seeing the dual 12.3-inch display and the Platinum interior in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Nissan Murano or the 2026 Honda Passport get better gas mileage?
The Murano gets better fuel economy. Its EPA ratings are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined, compared to the Passport's 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined. The Murano's VC-Turbo engine adjusts its compression ratio to optimize efficiency under varying loads.
Which SUV has more cargo space, the Murano or the Passport?
The Passport has more cargo space. It offers 44 cubic feet behind the second row and 83.8 cubic feet maximum. The Murano provides 32.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.5 cubic feet maximum. If cargo volume is your top priority, the Passport has the clear advantage.
Does the 2026 Murano have hands-free driving technology?
Yes. ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which allows hands-free freeway driving, is available on the Platinum trim through the Technology Package. Standard ProPILOT Assist (which requires hands on the wheel) comes on every Murano trim. No comparable hands-free system is offered on the 2026 Honda Passport.
Which vehicle tows more, the Murano or the Passport?
The Passport tows significantly more. Its rated capacity is 5,000 lbs. The Murano is rated at 1,500 lbs. Buyers with a trailer, boat, or camper should factor this difference heavily into their decision.
Is AWD standard on both the 2026 Murano and 2026 Passport?
Yes. Both vehicles come with AWD standard across all trims. The Murano uses Nissan Intelligent AWD and the Passport uses Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system.
Does the 2026 Murano come with Google Built-In?
Yes, on the SL and Platinum trims. Google Built-In on those grades includes Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. The SV trim uses NissanConnect with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto instead.
What trims does the 2026 Nissan Murano come in?
The 2026 Murano is available in three trims: SV AWD, SL AWD, and Platinum AWD. Every trim includes standard AWD and ProPILOT Assist.