Does Nissan Murano Have A CVT Transmission? | Model-Year Truth First

Many Muranos use a CVT, but the redesigned 2025+ models switched to a 9-speed automatic.

If you’re shopping used, planning maintenance, or just trying to decode what’s under your right hand, the Murano’s transmission story matters. Nissan ran a CVT in the Murano for a long stretch, then made a clean break on the newest generation.

The catch: “Murano” on the liftgate doesn’t tell you which side of that change you’re on. A 2018 and a 2026 can sit in the same parking lot and drive in totally different ways when you roll into the throttle.

Does Nissan Murano Have A CVT Transmission? Model-Year Answer

For most model years, yes. Nissan paired the Murano with its Xtronic CVT for years, including the 2024 model year. Starting with the redesigned 2025 Murano, Nissan moved to a conventional 9-speed automatic transmission, and that change carries through the current Murano lineup.

If you only remember one thing, make it this: the model year tells you the transmission family in seconds. After that, you can narrow down trim, drivetrain, and service history with a lot less guesswork.

What Counts As “CVT” On The Murano

On CVT-era Muranos, “CVT” means Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission. It uses pulleys and a belt or chain to vary ratio smoothly instead of stepping through fixed gears. In normal driving, that can feel calm and steady because you don’t get a familiar upshift rhythm.

On newer Muranos, “automatic” means a stepped 9-speed with distinct gear changes. You’ll feel those shifts, and you’ll hear the engine rpm rise and fall in steps instead of hovering at one spot during acceleration.

Does The Nissan Murano Have A CVT Transmission In Every Generation?

No. The Murano ran a CVT across multiple generations, then switched to a 9-speed automatic with the fourth-generation redesign for the 2025 model year. If you’re buying used, this one detail keeps you from mixing apples and oranges when you compare listings.

Why Listings Can Be Confusing

Online listings often lump everything under “automatic.” Some sites even label a CVT as “automatic” without saying CVT at all, because a CVT is an automatic in the everyday sense. That’s how buyers end up surprised after a test drive.

Use the year first. Then verify with a factory brochure, a specs sheet, or a window sticker. When those match the seller’s claim, you can move on to the stuff that actually costs money: condition, service records, and how it drives.

What The Switch Away From CVT Changes For Drivers

Drivers who dislike CVTs usually point to one feeling: when you ask for hard acceleration, the engine can hold a steady, higher rpm while road speed catches up. Some folks call it “rubber-band” feel. Others don’t mind it and like the smoothness in normal commuting.

A stepped automatic changes that character. You get gear changes you can feel, and the engine rpm rises and falls in a more familiar pattern. That can make passing and hill climbs feel more predictable if you’re used to traditional automatics.

How To Confirm Your Murano’s Transmission In Two Minutes

If you already own a Murano, or you’re staring at one on a dealer lot, these quick checks don’t require tools:

• Check the model year on the driver’s door jamb. A 2024 and older points toward CVT; 2025 and newer points toward 9-speed automatic.
• Ask for the window sticker or build sheet. It spells out the transmission type in plain language.
• Pull up the owner-facing brochure for that exact year. The transmission line is usually under “Mechanical” or “Drivetrain.”
• Test-drive a short hill. A CVT often holds rpm steadier while speed builds; a 9-speed tends to upshift in steps as conditions change.

If you’re buying used, don’t feel awkward asking for proof. A seller with clean paperwork usually expects that question and has an easier time earning your trust.

Factory Documents That Settle The CVT Question

When you want a straight answer that doesn’t depend on a salesperson’s memory, factory docs are your friend. On the CVT side, the official 2024 Murano brochure lists “Xtronic CVT” under the mechanical specs. 2024 Murano brochure (PDF)

On the redesign side, Nissan’s own specifications page for the 2025 Murano lists a “9-speed automatic” as the transmission type. 2025 Murano specifications

If you want the simplest current-year confirmation, Nissan’s Murano model page pairs the VC-Turbo engine with a 9-speed automatic. Murano model page (current model year)

And if you want a plain-language description of what “Xtronic CVT” means, Nissan’s overview breaks down the pulley-and-belt concept and why it drives differently than a stepped automatic. Nissan’s Xtronic CVT overview

What Driving Feels Like With A Murano CVT

CVTs in the Murano era are tuned for smoothness. Around town, the SUV can feel easygoing. You roll onto the gas, it moves, and you don’t feel the “1-2-3” rhythm of a traditional automatic.

Push harder and the personality changes. The engine may climb to a higher rpm and stay there while the transmission adjusts ratio. Some drivers like the steady pull. Others find the sound odd because rpm and speed don’t rise together in the usual way.

CVT Behavior That’s Normal

• Engine rpm stays steadier during moderate acceleration.
• “Shift” sensations are faint or simulated rather than crisp.
• On light throttle, rpm drops quickly once you reach cruising speed.

CVT Behavior That Deserves A Closer Look

These red flags are worth taking seriously during a test drive:

• Shudder or vibration on takeoff that repeats.
• Delay engaging Drive or Reverse after shifting out of Park.
• Surging rpm with little change in road speed under steady throttle.
• Burnt smell from transmission fluid after a short drive.

If you spot any of these on a used vehicle, pause. A pre-purchase inspection can save you from buying someone else’s headache.

Murano Transmission Timeline By Model Year Range

This table is a fast mental map: it shows the long CVT run, then the switch to a 9-speed automatic on the newest generation.

Model Year Range	Transmission Type	What You’ll Commonly See
2003–2007	CVT (Xtronic family)	Early Murano; smooth pull, fewer “shift” cues
2008–2010	CVT	Often listed as “CVT” or “automatic (CVT)”
2011–2014	CVT	Common used market years; service records matter
2015–2018	CVT	Listings may mention “Xtronic”; test-drive feel varies
2019–2024	CVT	Late V6 era; factory brochure lists Xtronic CVT
2025	9-speed automatic	Redesign year; factory specs list 9-speed automatic
2026	9-speed automatic	Current lineup; stepped shifts on the road

CVT Care For Murano Owners

If your Murano is in the CVT years, ownership gets easier when you treat maintenance like a routine, not a drama. Heat and neglected fluid can shorten transmission life in many vehicles, and CVTs tend to be less forgiving when fluid is old or wrong.

Fluid Service And Paperwork

Start with proof. Ask for service receipts or a dealership printout. If records are thin, budget for a transmission fluid service soon after purchase, done with the correct Nissan-spec fluid and procedure.

Paperwork doesn’t just help the next owner. It helps you. When a shop asks what’s been done, you can answer in seconds instead of guessing.

Towing And Heat Management

If you tow, even light loads, treat the transmission gently. Avoid repeated wide-open throttle launches. Give the drivetrain time to cool on long grades. If you shop for a used Murano that lived with towing, ask direct questions and check the hitch area for wear and corrosion.

Driving Habits That Can Pay Off

• Let the vehicle warm up briefly in cold weather before hard acceleration.
• Use smooth throttle inputs in traffic instead of constant on-off bursts.
• On long hills, ease into the pedal and let the transmission settle into a ratio.

None of this is magic. It’s just reducing stress on a system that depends on fluid pressure, temperature control, and consistent traction.

What Changes With The 9-Speed Automatic Murano

If you’re looking at a 2025 or newer Murano, the transmission conversation is simpler. You’ll feel real shift steps on the road. That can make passing feel more familiar to drivers coming from older automatics.

The used-market questions shift too. Instead of “Is this a CVT?” you’re asking “How was it driven, and was it serviced?” Those questions still matter on any automatic, including a 9-speed.

How It Should Feel On A Test Drive

• Noticeable upshifts and downshifts as speed changes.
• Engine rpm rises and falls in steps instead of staying flat.
• More predictable feel when you lift off the gas and reapply it.

Used-Buying Checks For Any Murano Transmission

This table is a practical checklist you can run on the spot. It’s built for buyers who have 20 minutes with the vehicle and want a cleaner read before paying for an inspection.

Check	What To Do	What It Can Tell You
Cold start shift	Start cold, shift Park → Drive, then Drive → Reverse	Delay or clunk can point to wear or low fluid
Low-speed takeoff	Roll away gently, then repeat with light throttle	Shudder can signal CVT slip or a mount issue
Steady 40–55 mph	Hold speed on a flat road for a minute	Hunting or surging can hint at control problems
Moderate hill	Climb at steady pedal, then add a touch more throttle	CVT should adjust smoothly; 9-speed should step down cleanly
Hard brake to stop	Brake firmly from 30 mph once it’s safe	Vibration can be brakes, but drivetrain lash may show too
Fluid and leaks	Look under the vehicle after the drive	Fresh fluid spots can mean a pending repair
Scan for codes	Use a basic OBD-II scanner before purchase	Stored transmission codes can surface even if the dash is clear
Service proof	Ask for receipts, then match dates to mileage	Consistent service lowers your risk across drivetrains

Picking The Right Murano For Your Preferences

If you like a smooth, steady feel in daily commuting, the CVT-era Murano can fit well, especially when it has clean service records and a calm test drive. If you prefer defined shifts and a more traditional response, the redesigned 2025+ Murano’s 9-speed automatic will likely feel more familiar.

Either way, model-year clarity is your friend. It keeps you from arguing with a seller, and it keeps you from buying the wrong drivetrain for how you drive.