Nissan Murano Price Hike: Best Trim to Buy Now

Murano Pricing Shake-Up: Why Dark Armor Is the Sweet Spot

The latest Nissan Murano pricing and trim changes create a more premium midsize crossover lineup by dropping the previous base model, introducing a Dark Armor styling package, and reshuffling equipment so that all versions now focus on all-wheel-drive gas crossover value with higher content and more upscale positioning in the segment. The best choice in this new structure for most gas buyers is the Dark Armor trim, which balances added features with a moderate step above the new entry point, making it the standout recommendation for drivers who care about style and tech as much as practicality in a midsize crossover. The 2027 Nissan Murano price structure now starts higher than before because the base trim was eliminated, but equipment on every remaining model is richer, and Dark Armor now sits in the middle of the lineup with a mix of comfort, technology, and visual upgrades that most people will appreciate.

Entry Murano: Well-Equipped but Less Special

With the former base model gone, the new entry Murano becomes a more premium proposition, even if its exact badge name varies between sources. It trades a low headline price for a richer standard equipment list, including standard all-wheel drive and 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it offers dual 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, leatherette upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Safety and driver assistance are also strong, with adaptive cruise control, hands-on highway driving assist, front and rear parking sensors, front and rear automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert all included. This makes the entry Murano appealing if you want a comfortable gas crossover with solid tech and safety, but it lacks the visual punch and extra comfort features of the Dark Armor and Platinum trims, so it feels more like a sensible choice than a special one.

Dark Armor: Best Blend of Style, Features, and Value

Dark Armor is the Murano trim most gas buyers should target because it adds styling and comfort upgrades that are hard to ignore while still sitting in the middle of the lineup. Nissan gives it gloss-black 21-inch wheels, rear bumper trim, and badges, plus a tactical-style Dark Armor emblem that makes the midsize crossover look more aggressive and modern. The interior is limited to a black Graphite upholstery, paired with a focused palette of exterior colors including black, white, greys, and a dark red. More important than the look, Dark Armor includes a panoramic sunroof, perforated leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a 10-speaker sound system, and Google built-in apps as standard. These features are not even available on the base Murano, making Dark Armor the most affordable way into a Murano with a true premium feel. For most shoppers, this combination of added content and sharper design makes Dark Armor the clear value leader in the current Murano trim comparison.

Platinum: Maximum Luxury, Modest Step Above Dark Armor

At the top of the Murano range sits the Platinum trim, aimed at buyers who want the most upscale midsize crossover experience the model can offer. While detailed equipment differences are less explicit in the available information, the Platinum sits above Dark Armor in price and status, with a slight upward step that aligns with its role as the flagship of the gas crossover lineup. In the current Murano trim comparison, Platinum will appeal if you prefer the most luxurious take on the Murano’s bold design and are comfortable paying more for that position. According to one source, the Murano has been "having a pretty good year" with sales up 7.9% to 19,661 compared to the same time last year, helped by the refreshed lineup. For shoppers, Platinum makes sense only if you care less about value and more about owning the most fully loaded version, as Dark Armor already delivers many premium touches at a lower step in the pricing ladder.

Murano vs. Toyota Crown Signia and the New Value Equation

Nissan’s new Murano lineup, built around richer trims like Dark Armor and Platinum, is designed to sharpen its position in the midsize crossover pricing landscape and push back against rivals such as the Toyota Crown Signia. One source notes that the Murano is now doing well against this direct competitor, with Crown Signia sales down by 8.6% and trailing the Murano by roughly 7,000 units through the second quarter. The introduction of Dark Armor is expected to "add a little bit of interest to the Murano line for not much cost" and help keep sales up. For gas crossover value, this matters: instead of a bare-bones base, every Murano is now positioned as a comfortable, feature-rich two-row SUV, and Dark Armor particularly targets shoppers cross-shopping style-forward rivals. In this context, paying for Dark Armor’s extra equipment and visual upgrades is the smart move for most buyers who care about both curb appeal and day-to-day comfort.

• Buy the Dark Armor Murano if you want the best balance of style, comfort features, and gas crossover value in the lineup.
• Skip the Dark Armor Murano if you only care about getting into a Murano as cheaply as possible and do not need premium features.
• Buy the entry Murano if you prioritize strong standard tech, safety, and all-wheel drive over styling upgrades.
• Skip the entry Murano if a panoramic sunroof, upgraded audio, and more premium cabin touches are must-haves for you.
• Buy the Platinum Murano if you want the most upscale, top-position trim and are comfortable paying more for that status.
• Skip the Platinum Murano if you are value-focused, as Dark Armor already offers most of the desirable features at a lower step.