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VERDICT · STRONG ENGINE, VERIFY THE CVT SEPARATELY

Nissan Murano 3.5L
is it a safe used buy?

A genuinely distinctive, well-styled SUV pairing the strong VQ35 V6 with Nissan's CVT — the engine itself is a real strength, but the transmission's documented concerns apply in full here.

GENERATION3rd gen (2015–2019)
ENGINE3.5L VQ35DE
POWER260 hp
USED PRICE$14,000–23,000

How the engine fits this car

The Murano's SUV body is a comfortable, unstressed load for this strong V6 — the same well-regarded engine found across Infiniti's lineup and the related Maxima, here paired with a CVT rather than a conventional automatic.

Unlike the Maxima covered elsewhere, this SUV uses Nissan's CVT, which means the transmission page's checklist applies here just as fully as it does on the Altima or Rogue, despite the strong engine underneath.

Nissan Murano-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • VQ35's strong reliability reputation, shared with related Infiniti applications, carries through fully here
  • Distinctive, genuinely well-regarded styling that's aged well against rivals
  • Comfortable, well-appointed interior for the segment
  • A well-documented, proactively serviced CVT example is a meaningfully safer bet than an unknown one

WHAT TO WATCH

  • CVT overheating and shudder, detailed in full on the transmission page, is a genuine and significant concern
  • Resale demand has softened somewhat, reflecting broader buyer caution about CVT-equipped Nissans generally
  • Fuel economy is modest for the class, typical of a naturally aspirated V6 SUV
  • Full CVT replacement, where needed, is a significant cost relative to a conventional automatic repair

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 60,000 mi
$19,000–23,000
Still verify CVT history regardless of mileage
60,000–100,000 mi
$16,000–19,000
Sweet spot only with documented CVT service
100,000+ mi
$14,000–16,000
Treat with real caution without proof of proactive service

The engine itself

This Murano's strong 3.5L VQ35DE V6 is paired with Nissan's CVT, covered in detail on its own dedicated page under Infiniti — essential reading despite the engine's own strong reputation.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNInfiniti/Nissan CVT (Jatco) — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Test drive extensively under both light and firmer acceleration, feeling specifically for shudder or hesitation, and watch the temperature gauge for any unusual behaviour.

Ask whether a transmission fluid service has ever been performed, and treat an unserviced example as a candidate for proactive service.

Separately, ask for documented oil change history for the engine, since this high-revving V6 rewards consistent maintenance.