Compare the2026 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2026 Nissan Murano

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Tiguan achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Murano which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’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 Tiguan and Murano have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tiguan has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Murano’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Tiguan and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Nissan Murano:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Murano’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Murano’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Murano.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Murano’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (268 vs. 241) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Murano:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Tiguan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Tiguan 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Murano (5). This means the Tiguan produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Murano every 15,000 miles.

The Tiguan stops much shorter than the Murano:

The Tiguan’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano Platinum’s 50 series tires.

The Tiguan has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Murano doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo handles at .85 G’s, while the Murano Platinum pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum (27 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 750 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The Tiguan is 8.5 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Tiguan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volkswagen Tiguan amounts to more than styling. The Tiguan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Murano (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Tiguan get better fuel mileage.

The Tiguan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (33.8 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The Tiguan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is limited to 1500 pounds. The Tiguan 4Motion® offers up to a 1800 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard trailer stability control on the Tiguan uses the Electronic Stability 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Murano SL/Platinum, the Tiguan SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Murano can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’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.

The Tiguan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Murano’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Murano doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tiguan’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Tiguan SEL’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Murano doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Murano doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan retains 52.24% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.66% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Murano after five years, which can save the Volkswagen’s owner up to $8308 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Tiguan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Murano isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2026 issue and they ranked the Volkswagen Tiguan SE higher than the Nissan Murano Platinum.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Nissan Murano by 84% during 2025.