The 2018 Ford Edge vs 2018 Nissan Murano are both popular mid-sized SUVs, capable of delivering a variety of options to drivers. Each has desirable qualities. Each has some amenities and features better than the other. However, you can’t drive both at the same time. Which one is a better choice? That all depends on what you look for in a mid-sized SUV. Do you value engine performance? What about safety features? Are you looking for a roomier ride? Do you keep a watchful eye on gas prices? Is the MSRP the final word for you? There are a lot of different specifications, features and options in any given vehicle, not just the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. So, we will take a look at a few specifications of each and see where you land.
ENGINE
At the heart of any vehicle is its engine. It is often a driving force behind a vehicle purchase and can decide not only what make or model, but even what body style. As far as mid-sized SUVs go, the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano have drastically different engines. The Edge has a 2.0-liter, I-4 engine, considerably smaller than the Nissan Murano’s 3.5-liter, V-6. The Edge can generate more torque for hauling, 275, to the Murano’s 240. The Murano brings slightly more horsepower to the table, capable of 260 horsepower as opposed to the Edge’s 245.
FUEL ECONOMY
These statistics are remarkably similar, with the Edge having a total fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon, compared to the Murano’s 24. The Nissan Murano does have a slightly larger tank, as well, at 19 gallons. The Ford Edge holds only 18 gallons of fuel. They both get an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, while Ford edges out Nissan on the highway 29 miles per gallon to 28. Someone with a highway commute, as opposed to a city commute, might see a bit of a difference in the long run with the Edge. However, the Nissan Murano can go slightly longer in between fill-ups. This round is a little close to call, so let’s check out what the interior of each can potentially hold.
INTERIOR SPACE
Much of the appeal of an SUV is that it is much more spacious on the interior. Particularly for those with larger families who need extra seating and cargo room, SUVs offer substantially more room than a sedan. For mid-sized SUVs, both the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano have fairly roomy interiors. The Edge has front headroom of 40.2 inches, a little bit more than the Murano at 39.9 inches. The front leg room disparity is a little greater at 42.6 inches for the Edge to 40.5 for the Murano. For taller drivers and front seat passengers, those two inches might make a big difference. The dimensions of the back seat are similar in comparison, with the Ford Edge having 40.3 inches of rear headroom and 40.6 inches of rear legroom. The Nissan Murano has just 39.8 inches of rear headroom and 38.7 inches of rear legroom.
These may not seem like huge differences for some. The real tale of the tape on the interior is cubic volume. That lets the buyer know exactly how much room there is for passengers and cargo. The cargo volume of the Ford Edge is 73.4 cubic feet, while the Nissan Murano is only 67.0 cubic feet. The total volume of the inside of the Edge is 113.9 cubic feet. The Murano comes up a little short at 108.1 cubic feet. For those looking for interior space to better move around, store cargo and breathe a little easier, the Ford Edge wins this round.
SAFETY
Safety features are of the utmost importance to many drivers, not the least of which are parents. Auto manufacturers are very safety conscious these days, putting loads of safety features in vehicles as standard that wasn’t even invented twenty years ago. Both the Edge and Murano have many of these safety features, including Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control, and Child Safety Locks. Both have an impressive array of airbags, from dual front airbags, first and second-row cloud airbags, and dual front side airbags. The one area where the Ford Edge has a slight advantage is that it has knee airbags for both driver and passenger, while the Nissan Murano has a knee airbag for only the driver. It may be a slight advantage, but one that your driving partner might one day appreciate.
PRICE AND WARRANTY
Let’s be honest, most vehicle purchases are based largely around price. The first thing we do when deciding to purchase a new vehicle is to establish a budget. After that, then we look into what mid-sized SUV falls within our price range and which one best fits our needs. The MSRP for the base model Nissan Murano is $43,830. While the Murano certainly has a ton of great features and available amenities, it is a bit of a hefty price tag. The Ford Edge, on the other hand, starts out at $31,310. The edge also has a lot of attractive features, which, at $12,520 less makes them $12,520 more attractive. Additionally, the Roadside Assistance Warranty is considerably more attractive for the Ford Edge. The Edge offers a 60 month/60,000 mile warranty, while the Nissan Murano caps out at 36 months/36,000 miles. That’s another considerably large gap. In terms of price tag and warranty, the Ford Edge is a much more financially manageable choice.
2018 Ford Edge vs 2018 Nissan Murano – The Results
We don’t necessarily believe that it is up to us to persuade you in either direction. Both are quality vehicles made by respected manufacturers. Both have very attractive features that will mean more to one buyer than to another. What we covered here is by no means the exhaustive list of standard or available features for either vehicle. However, based solely on the comparisons presented here, the 2018 Ford Edge is a clearly better choice for mid-sized SUV shoppers than the 2018 Nissan Murano. We encourage you to head out to your local dealerships and try them both on for size.
