2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Nissan Murano
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Nissan Murano
Posted on October 16, 2015
After Fiat took over the Chrysler Company starting in 2009 with the deal being completed in 2013, Fiat added some much needed style and energy into the Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram lineup. Most notably The Jeep Grand Cherokee has seen some major overhauls in 2013 and has carried and enhanced those features into the 2015 model year. The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s multiple trim levels attracts a wider range of audiences than any of its competitors and is a big player in the mid-sized SUV game. But how does it stack up against its competition in the Nissan Murano? Read more to find out.
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If off-roading is your thing, both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano offer fully equipped trim levels in the Overland and Platinum respectively. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland feel extremely comfortable in off-road conditions with a full 2” more ground clearance vs. the Nissan Murano Platinum. If hauling and towing are what you are looking for the Jeep Overland almost doubled the towing power of the Nissan Platinum, clocking in at 6200 lbs. for the Overland and 3500 lbs. for the Platinum. Power and engine performance also make the Jeep the superior off road vehicle of the two. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is a 3.6L V6, with 290HP, 260 lm-ft all with an 8-Speed automatic transmission. The Nissan Murano Platinum on the other hand falls a bit short with its 3.5L V6 with 260HP, 240 lm-ft, with a continuously variable transmission. Even though the Overland comes with a $7000 difference on the price tag, the value you get with its towing capabilities and performance is well worth it for the avid off-roader.
Lets face it, even if you love off-roading you are going to spend most of you time driving on city streets. When comparing the Grand Cherokee to the Murano in normal driving conditions you can quickly see how the Jeep tops the Murano it categories like handling, ride, acceleration and braking. Nissan’s product offers loose, unresponsive steering while the Jeep feels super tight to the ground. The Grand Cherokee also comes with optional air ride suspension for a quieter more comfortable ride. In the acceleration category the Jeeps lighter body (4,875 lbs vs. 4,017 lbs.) blows past the Murano. This is due in part to the Jeep’s 290-hp V6 8-peed A/T. These factors make the Grand Cherokee a superior city driving mid-size SUV.
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Inside the vehicle you can start to see the attention to detail that the Chrysler group puts into their vehicles. The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s tall ride height gives way for a commanding view of the road in terms of visibility. Nissan elected to go with a more wild design which came at the sacrifice of road visibility. Both of the two models’ interiors are class leading. They offer rich materials and contemporary design. The Jeep offers real wood accents and prestigious leather piping, much like you would find in a range rover. Both also offer 8”+ touch screens for radio, nav etc. Jeep’s UConnect system is slightly more advanced while Nissan’s goes for simplicity over functionality. We really like the interior of both models but give the edge to the Grand Cherokee for its mission to strive for modern elegance.
With all that said the only really knock on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is its higher price tag. If you are willing to pay for a better drive, better off-road capabilities and a more powerful midsized SUV, then look no further than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. You can always find a new Jeep Grand Cherokee or a used Jeep Grand Cherokee in Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s large inventory located in Edmonton Alberta.