Compare the2026 Honda PassportVS 2025 Nissan Murano

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Murano’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Passport. But it costs extra on the Murano.

Both the Passport and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

The Passport’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 44 more horsepower (285 vs. 241) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Passport’s fuel efficiency. The Murano doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Passport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Murano doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Murano.

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the Murano (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R20). The Passport TrailSport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (275/60R18 vs. 255/55R20).

The Passport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Murano; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Murano (113.6 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Murano.

The front grille of the Passport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Murano doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Passport has 7.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Murano (119.1 vs. 112).

The Passport has 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Murano.

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

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (44 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (83.8 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

The Passport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Passport uses the Vehicle Stability Assist 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 Passport’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 Honda Passport 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. Homelink® is only available on the Murano SL/Platinum.

The Passport TrailSport 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Passport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda Passport outsold the Nissan Murano by 72% during 2024.