2026 Nissan Murano Performance: VC-Turbo Power and Standard Intelligent AWD

The 2026 Nissan Murano arrives with one of the most significant powertrain overhauls in the nameplate’s history. Out goes the V6, in comes a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder with variable compression technology, paired with a brand-new nine-speed automatic transmission.

For Central Massachusetts drivers who rely on Route 2 for their daily commute or need confidence on a slick New England back road, Intelligent AWD is now standard on every single Murano trim. Here is a closer look at what the 2026 Nissan Murano delivers under the hood, and why it deserves a test drive at Ron Bouchard Nissan in Lancaster.

The VC-Turbo Engine: Variable Compression, Real-World Performance

The VC-Turbo is the technical centerpiece of the 2026 Murano’s powertrain. Short for Variable Compression Turbo, Nissan’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder continuously adjusts its compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1 depending on what the moment demands. Pushing onto I-190 and need quick acceleration? The engine compresses more aggressively for stronger output. Holding a steady cruise on Route 2? It eases back for better efficiency. The result is 241 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. That torque figure is where the Murano makes its case in daily driving: confident pull from a stop, smooth passing authority at highway speed, and enough low-end grunt to feel relaxed rather than strained.

9-Speed Automatic Transmission

The CVT that defined previous Murano generations is gone. The 2026 model pairs the VC-Turbo with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers more defined shift points during acceleration and more composed behavior when the driver needs a confident passing move. The result is a noticeably more purposeful feel through the gears, especially at highway speeds. Shifts are smooth and unhurried in everyday driving but respond decisively when the Murano needs to move. For buyers who found the old CVT’s endless ratio hunting more draining than relaxing, this is a welcome change.

Intelligent AWD Standard Across the Lineup

For 2026, Nissan made a clear commitment: Intelligent AWD comes standard on every Murano. The front-wheel-drive configuration is no longer offered. Every SV, SL, and Platinum that arrives at Ron Bouchard Nissan is equipped with a system that continuously monitors wheel speeds and distributes torque to maintain traction as conditions change. For Central Massachusetts drivers navigating late-season snow on Route 70, rain-slicked roads through Lancaster and Leominster, or the unpredictable stretches that come with a New England winter, this standard hardware means every Murano on the lot is already equipped for the roads here.

Fuel Economy

The VC-Turbo’s variable compression technology delivers real efficiency gains. EPA estimates for the 2026 Murano come in at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with standard AWD included in those figures. For a midsize SUV in this class and comfort tier, that highway number holds up well against the competition and translates to fewer fill-ups for commuters putting regular miles on a vehicle through Central Massachusetts.

Experience the 2026 Murano at Ron Bouchard Nissan

Specs on a page only go so far. The VC-Turbo’s torque character at a light, the smooth progression of the nine-speed automatic on the on-ramp, and the planted confidence that standard Intelligent AWD provides in mixed conditions all tell their own story behind the wheel. Ron Bouchard Nissan is located at 490 Old Union Turnpike in Lancaster. Stop in, schedule a test drive, and let the 2026 Murano make its own case.