Compare the2026 Mercedes GLEVS 2026 Nissan Murano

The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Murano doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLE offers optional Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Murano doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLE and Murano have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLE has Active Brake Assist (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 GLE 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE weighs 420 to 1464 pounds more than the Nissan Murano. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The GLE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Murano’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (255 vs. 241) and 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 134 more horsepower (375 vs. 241) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 450e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 140 more horsepower (381 vs. 241) and 219 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 269 more horsepower (510 vs. 241) and 278 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLE is faster than the Nissan Murano:

	GLE 350	GLE 450	Murano
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	5.6 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	14.2 sec	16 sec

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450e running on electricity gets better mileage than the Murano (57 city/63 hwy MPGe vs. 21 city/27 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 49 miles. The Murano can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Murano (22.5 vs. 18.7 gallons).

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 350e, which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Murano doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Mercedes GLE at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Nissan Murano is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Murano:

	GLE	Murano
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the Murano:

	GLE	Murano
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the GLE 450/580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/55R20).

The GLE 450/580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano Platinum’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 450/580 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Murano’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Murano doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLE 450/580 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Nissan doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Murano.

The GLE 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 or off-road. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Murano doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE 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 GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Murano doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Murano (117.9 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Murano’s (58.8% to 41.2%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the Murano Platinum pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (9.2 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 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 GLE get better fuel mileage.

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Murano can only carry 5.

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

The GLE has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The GLE has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

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

	GLE	Murano
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.5”	38.2”/73.7”
Min Width	43.7”	43.7”
Height	35.5”	31.7”

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (7700 vs. 1500 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLE uses the Electronic Stability Program 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 GLE 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.

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

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Murano does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the GLE the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor). On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Murano can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLE’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Murano doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The GLE’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 GLE’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 fluid is optional on the GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Murano doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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 GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Murano doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLE’s standard 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 Mercedes GLE has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Murano Platinum.

The Mercedes GLE has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Nissan charges extra for Homelink® on the Murano.

The GLE 580 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Murano doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist 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.

and e Mercedes GLE comes in four door bodystyles; the Nissan Murano isn’t available as a .

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

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Nissan Murano by over three to one during 2024.