Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2025 Nissan Murano

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Hornet. But it costs extra on the Murano.

Both the Hornet and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Dodge higher than Nissan.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (268 vs. 241) and 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (288 vs. 241) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 260) than the Murano’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running on electricity gets better mileage than the Murano:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Murano:

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Murano can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Hornet R/T’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Hornet 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 Murano doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Hornet’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano’s 55 series tires.

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Dodge Hornet may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The Hornet is 1 foot, 2.9 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet is 5.6 inches narrower than the Murano, making the Hornet easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the Hornet and the Murano have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Hornet is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Murano prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Hornet’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Murano’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Hornet offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Dodge Hornet has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Murano Platinum.

The Hornet’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Murano doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Dodge Hornet outsold the Nissan Murano by 9% during 2024.