Jump LinksIts Ride Is More On The Sporty SideThe Murano's Sizable Body Provides Solid PracticalityBuying a brand-new midsize luxury SUV can be pretty demanding on your bank balance, and the 2026 Nissan Murano is the perfect illustration of this. Even the base SL variant will set you back $41,870 before even contemplating any options you fancy being added as part of the deal, while the better-equipped Platinum demands just shy of $50,000. While this nicely straddles the current average price of a new car in the US, it's still a lot of money, given that living costs are at an all-time high.This doesn't mean you need to give up your dream of owning such a machine, though, as you could always secure yourself a used Murano instead. In fact, you could have a range-topping example of the breed's genesis for comfortably under $10,000. And with decent mileage. A Used Murano Combines Power And Durability NissanUnder the hood of the Murano, there's a 3.5-liter V6 known as the VQ35DE. Nissan connoisseurs know it as one of the greatest V6 powerplants ever produced, partly due to its output figures and smooth power delivery. It sends a total of 245 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels, depending on the model you track down. The extra traction of the AWD version is quite handy if you get struck down by dodgy weather conditions, or if you need to travel off-road every now and again.The engine's power is transferred to the driven wheels by a CVT gearbox, which is able to alter its ratio on the fly to best reflect whatever road you're traveling down. Despite weighing over 4,000 pounds, the combination of the engine and transmission gets it past the 60 mph barrier in a swift 7.5 seconds. Aside from providing plenty of power and refinement, the VQ engine has also earned a reputation for reliability over its 30 years in service. Its Ride Is More On The Sporty Side NissanAlongside its effective engine, the Murano also proves to be a capable luxury SUV. It's not the most supple in its class, with Nissan having gone down more of a stiffer route with the machine. If a softer ride matters to you, you'll be best off opting for the SL trim, which comes with a softer spring and damper setup. The SE, which also gets brighter Xenon lights and sportier body trim, comes loaded with a stiffer setup that makes the car more of a hoot through the bends.It's not quite a BMW X5, but it performs very well given the vehicle's size and weight. The Murano is also comfortable for the most part, but don't be surprised if you feel harsher jolts more than you would expect in a luxury SUV. Pre-Loved Muranos Are A Used Bargain In 2026 NissanNow we come to the best bit about the first-generation Nissan Murano: its value on the used market. Depreciation has worked its magic on the Japanese bus over the years, and you can now pick up a decent example for well under $10,000. In fact, the average price for such a machine currently sits around $5,500, which is amazingly cheap for a car that retailed for around $35,000 20 years ago. When translated into today's money, the figure rises to a strong $61,000.Some decent examples can be found for less than $5k if you can swallow buying a car approaching 200,000 miles, but you'd better be on the ball when it comes to thoroughly inspecting its service history. We reckon you'd be better off heading into battle with a budget closer to $10,000, as this will get you a clean car with decent mileage on the clock that shouldn't need much work to keep running reliably. That V6 and CVT combo works as a pretty solid collaboration when looked after, but expect your bank account to get a good beating if you need to have them repaired, or worse, replaced. Nissan's Plush SUV Will Make You Forget You've Only Spent $10,000 NissanSpending your cash on a used SUV like this has its benefits, and one of the clearest is that you can enjoy a $60k car for a small fraction of that price. The electrically-adjustable seats and automatic dual-zone climate control will help keep you comfortable no matter the weather outside. At the same time, a choice of metal or wood trim elevates the car's cabin well above the $10k asking price you'll have to hand over to enjoy it.Shop around, and you should be able to find various examples equipped with the various extra packages Nissan offered back in the day. The Premium Package includes a Bose stereo and power-adjustable pedals, with leather seats available. Heated chairs can be had with the SE/SL Touring Package, while a rearview camera and satellite navigation can be added with the Technology Package. Keep your eye out for examples fitted with these various additions, as they not only add to the Murano's natural refinement but also make it feel more modern. The Murano's Sizable Body Provides Solid Practicality NissanThe vehicle may not be the prettiest or most slender thing on the road, but the benefit of this is that you'll have plenty of space on the inside. The Murano only seats five, but its spacious cabin means everyone has plenty of room to move about, while its large trunk allows occupants to bring all their cargo with ease. It boasts 32.6 cubic feet of usable room with the seats up, which is already well ahead of most similarly aged sedans on the market. Fold them down, and you'll have 81.6 cubic feet of room at your disposal.The Murano's high roof and ride height are also useful, as you won't need to bend down to access the rear seats as much, making dealing with kids, or particularly troublesome adults, much easier. There Are Some Things You Should Know Before Laying Down Cash On A Used Murano NissanOf course, with the first-gen Murano now 20 years old, they're much more likely to have issues than a brand-new 2026 specimen. Look out for general corrosion and bodywork damage, as the cars have been out in the world for so long. Still, well-looked-after examples will likely have undergone maintenance to minimize the risk of this kind of deterioration.Arguably, the key thing to look out for with older Muranos has to do with their CVT transmission. The units are notorious for breaking before they hit 100,000 miles, so be sure to check the vehicle maintenance history to see if any work has been done. If not, and the car is approaching 100,000 miles, then a new one could be in order earlier than you'd like.Seeing as they cost around $4,000, or perhaps more depending on how hard it is to source one, it's not the sort of work you want to get stuck into. If you can find one that's had a new unit fitted relatively recently, you'll find yourself in a pretty luxurious position.RepairPal estimates you'll spend only about $507 a year to keep the car maintained, which is reasonable for a car of this size. Owners of the vehicle agree, given the car's solid 4.5/5-star reliability rating from Kelley Blue Book. This is from a hearty 621 reviews, too, with 66% of these drivers ultimately recommending a first-gen Murano.It may take some time to find such a machine in great condition and with all the extras you desire, but you'd have one hell of a luxury SUV on your hands when you do. And all for a measly $10,000, around a quarter of what a brand-new entry-level would cost you if you take a stroll down to your closest Nissan dealer. Sounds like a good deal to us.
