Compare the2026 Kia SportageVS 2026 Nissan Murano

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sportage achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Murano which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

Both the Sportage and Murano offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Murano’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Murano’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Murano. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Murano ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 21 points higher than the Murano.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage gets better mileage than the Murano:

The Sportage has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Murano. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Murano (5). This means the Sportage produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Murano every 15,000 miles.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Murano doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Sportage AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Murano Platinum pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 900 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The Sportage is 8.5 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Sportage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Sportage 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.

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

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (2500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Murano doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Sportage’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Sportage is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Murano doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Kia Sportage retains 52.85% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.66% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Murano after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $8869 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Murano isn't recommended.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Nissan Murano by over four to one during 2025.