2023 Nissan Murano vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

When cruising the streets of the Newark, Delaware, area, you’ve probably noticed a wide variety of midsize SUVs on the road, each with its own appeal. Midsize SUVs offer both comfort and drivability, so it’s easy to see why they’re so enticing. With all the options available, you might wonder which one you should purchase. It helps to compare your options side by side when choosing the right SUV for your wants and needs.

The 2023 Nissan Murano and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe are two options that might pique your interest. Both offer exterior appeal and a host of interior features that are sure to enhance your driving experience. Read below as our team at Hertrich Nissan of Newark takes a closer look at these two models to see what sets them apart. We’ll make it easy for you by breaking down the details individually.

Performance

OEM Image via Nissan

The Nissan Murano keeps it simple with five trim levels: the S, SV, Midnight Edition, SL, and Platinum. All trim levels have the same powertrain, a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pairs with a continuously variable transmission. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, but you can choose the optional all-wheel drive.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a complex listing of trim levels, including the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. It has three hybrid options: the Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited Hybrid. Or, if you’re looking for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), you can choose between the SEL Convenience and Limited PHEV trims.

The Santa Fe also offers four powertrain options to accompany the various trim levels. The standard option is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. If you want power that’s more closely comparable to the Murano, you’ll need to opt for the available upgrade to a 277-horsepower turbocharged engine. Both gas-powered engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel or optional all-wheel drive.

If you’re leaning more toward a hybrid or PHEV, the hybrid engine is a 226-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The PHEV versions have a 260-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

Interior

The Nissan Murano has a comfortable and roomy interior, offering cloth seats on the base model and leatherette or leather-appointed seating on the higher trim levels. Whether in the front or rear seats, you can settle in for long drives with well-cushioned seating that includes a reclining rear bench seat for added comfort. The total interior passenger volume is 108.1 cubic feet, and cargo space comes in at a maximum of 67 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Getting around Newark in the Hyundai Santa Fe is pleasant with its heated seats and ventilated front seats. Cloth seats are standard on the base models, while H-Tex and leather-trimmed seats are available on the more expensive trim levels. The total interior passenger volume is 111.5 cubic feet, and cargo space is 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Technology

The Nissan Murano has an impressive lineup of technological features. An 8-inch color touch-screen display that uses Nissan’s NissanConnect software controls the infotainment system. Standard tech features on all trim levels include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and Travel Link weather and traffic updates. To help keep you charged and connected, you’ll find USB-A and USB-C charging ports in the front and rear of the vehicle. Available upgrades include door-to-door navigation and a Bose premium audio system.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has an 8-inch or 10.3-inch touch-screen infotainment system, with the option to upgrade to a digital display cluster on the higher trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. While SiriusXM radio is standard on most trims, it’s unavailable on the base trim. Optional upgrades include a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and phone-as-key functionality.

Safety

The Nissan Murano continues to rank as one of the safest SUVs on the market. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 driver assistance features mean your car will act as your copilot no matter what obstacles you might encounter. Standard driver assistance features include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, front and rear automatic emergency braking, a lane-keeping system, adaptive LED high beams, and rear parking sensors. Higher trim levels feature enhancements such as adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.

The standard safety features on the Hyundai Santa Fe aren’t quite as extensive as on the Murano, although they’re still impressive. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and front automatic emergency braking. Available upgrades on higher trim levels include side cross-traffic alerts and a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system.

Pricing

Pricing varies by trim level. For the 2023 Nissan Murano, the starting MSRPs are as follows:

• S: $33,860.
• SV: $37,400.
• Midnight Edition: $38,990.
• SL: $41,360.
• Platinum: $45,410.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe pricing varies greatly because of the wide variety of trim levels and powertrain options. Starting MSRPs are as follows:

• SE: $28,450.
• SEL: $31,900.
• XRT: $33,700.
• Blue Hybrid: $35,910.
• SEL Premium Hybrid: $39,770.
• Limited: $40,300.
• Limited Hybrid: $41,570.
• SEL Convenience PHEV: $42,110.
• Calligraphy: $42,300.
• Limited PHEV: $47,370.

The Bottom Line

As a driver in the Newark area, you can’t go wrong when purchasing a midsize SUV. A packed market means manufacturers are vying to catch buyers’ eyes by offering competitive features and pricing. The Nissan Murano is a veteran in the midsize SUV world, offering a powerful standard engine capable of sporting adventures, the latest technology features, and standard driver assistance safety options. While the Hyundai Santa Fe offers many trim levels and powertrain options, the Nissan Murano’s simplicity and style still take center stage.

Our friendly sales team here at Hertrich Nissan of Newark will be happy to show you our lineup of 2023 Nissan Muranos. Give us a call or stop by to see all this midsize SUV’s impressive features. It has something for everyone. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or to schedule a test drive.