In Canada, the X-Trail had been on sale as Nissan's second car based SUV since 2004 as a model for 2005; it was replaced by the 2008 Rogue at the end of 2007.

[6][7] The first generation Nissan Murano was unveiled in production form for the model year of 2003, at the 2002 New York International Auto Show.

Available with standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD), the Nissan Murano is one of the largest vehicles using a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

[dead link‍][9] Production started in the middle of May 2002, and the first vehicles shipped in early June for the United States and mid-July for Canadian markets.

[12] For the model year of 2006 in North America, the Murano received some updates in the form of LED tail lamps and turn signals, standard color information screen, available backup camera (standard in Canada for all models), GPS and a restyled front end with some minor trim updates.

The concept featured a raft of performance upgrades over the standard Murano including bigger brakes, revised suspension, exterior styling and a Garret turbocharager that increased power from 172 to 257 kW (234 to 350 PS).

The second generation Murano included new features, some of which were optional or available only on the LE grade, including rain sensing wipers, double stitched leather seats,[20] power rear lift gate, power fold up rear seats, iPod integration, and a hard-drive based, touchscreen navigation system.

The second generation was equipped a revised version of the 3.5 L VQ engine rated at 198 kW (265 hp), an increase of 20 over the previous model.

In July 2010, Nissan launched a facelifted version in Europe only, with an updated 2.5-litre YD25DDTi four cylinder diesel engine producing 140 kW (190 hp) and 450 N⋅m (332 lbf⋅ft).

The refresh also added a new exterior color, "Graphite Blue" and for the 2013 model year the LE trim was renamed to Platinum.

Nissan premiered the Murano CrossCabriolet at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, marketing it as "the world’s first all wheel drive crossover convertible.

"[28] Nissan began formally marketing the CrossCabriolet with the model year of 2011 — without further refreshes or any other trim levels during its production run.

[29] In April 2014, Nissan unveiled the third generation Murano at the New York International Auto Show, with production in Canton, Mississippi and featuring the VQ-Series 3.5-liter V6 which produces up to 260 hp (194 kW).

[34] The Nissan Murano made a return in Mexico after an absence for a decade after the second generation was discontinued in that market on April 11, 2018, as a 2019 model.

The SV and SL models received the Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist.

[37] Since 2020, Murano production in North America shifted from Canton, Mississippi to the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant in Tennessee.

The Murano Hybrid features an electric motor, a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine, Intelligent Dual Clutch System, and a lithium-ion battery that is located under the center console.

[47] The updated model bears a strong resemblance to the Nissan Ariya electric crossover, and incorporates many modern features that were not previously available on the Murano, including ventilated and massaging front seats, dual 12.3 inch instrument cluster and infotainment displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Nissan ProPilot Assist 1.0 and 1.1, and a color heads-up display.