Nissan Murano vs Toyota 4Runner
Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.
// VERDICT
Our verdict
Buy the Nissan Murano to minimise 5-year ownership cost.
Buy the Toyota 4Runner if long-term reliability matters most.
// COST HEAD TO HEAD
Maintenance and ownership cost
| Nissan Murano | Toyota 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance | $507winner | $514 |
| 5-year total cost | $2,535winner | $2,570 |
| Reliability score | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10winner |
| Major repair risk (5yr) | 14% | 13%winner |
| Cargo space | — | 90.2 cu ft |
| Starting price (new) | $41,670winner | $43,500 |
| Best years to buy | 2023 | 2024 |
// RELIABILITY
Which is more reliable?
| Nissan Murano | Toyota 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| RepairPal score | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10winner |
| NHTSA complaints / 100k | 166.8 | 65.7winner |
| Years to avoid | 2010, 2011, 2012 | 2023, 2025 |
| Value retained · 3 yr | 62.2% | 93.3%winner |
| Value retained · 5 yr | 47.3% | 74.6%winner |
| Value retained · 7 yr | 37.4% | 64%winner |
// COMMON PROBLEMS
What breaks — and what it costs
| Nissan Murano | Toyota 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.7% | 4.0%winner |
| Electrical | 7.0% | 6.4%winner |
| ADAS | 5.9% | 4.5%winner |
| Brakes | 19.8% | 8.7%winner |
| Suspension | 5.1% | 3.1%winner |
| Steering | 2.2%winner | 7.4% |
| Fuel system | 1.1%winner | 4.8% |
| Tires/Wheels | 1.5%winner | 2.9% |
| Glass/Windows | 8.1% | 2.4%winner |
| Airbags | 9.5%winner | 36.2% |
One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.
// INSURANCE
Which is cheaper to insure?
| Nissan Murano | Toyota 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg annual premium | $2,418 | $2,045winner |
// FULL MODEL PAGES
// FAQ
Common questions
The Murano averages $507/year in maintenance — $66 below the midsize segment average of $573. However, repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40%, meaning owners visit for unscheduled repairs more often than most midsize rivals. Major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% segment average. Lower annual cost but higher visit frequency — a mixed profile.
How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →