Compare the2026 Nissan MuranoVS 2026 Audi Q3

The Nissan Murano has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Murano achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi Q3 has not been tested.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Murano has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Murano and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Nissan Murano has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Q3 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Murano’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 100 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 58 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 7 places higher in reliability than Audi.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (18.7 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Murano has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Murano, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

For better stopping power the Murano’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

For better traction, the Murano has larger tires than the Q3 (255/55R20 vs. 235/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Murano has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3. The Murano Platinum’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q3.

The Murano has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Murano’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the Q3 (111.2 inches vs. 105.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 4.3 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

For better maneuverability, the Murano’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Q3’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Murano uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Murano has 28 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (112 vs. 84).

The Murano has 3 inches more front headroom, 4.3 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (32.9 vs. 25 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 50 cubic feet).

The Murano’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Murano’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Murano has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Murano has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Murano to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Q3 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Murano and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The Murano also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Murano (except SV) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Murano (except SV) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q3.

With standard voice command, the Murano SL/Platinum offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Q3 doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to traditional radio, the Nissan Murano’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q3.

The Nissan Murano outsold the Audi Q3 by 81% during 2025.