Murano III (Z52) vs XC90 II: which is better?
Nissan Murano III (Z52) (2014–present) vs Volvo XC90 II (2014–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Nissan Murano III (Z52)
Volvo XC90 IISpecifications
| Nissan Murano III (Z52) | Volvo XC90 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2014–present | 2014–present |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 3.5 V6 | 2.0 Turbo (T5 / T6) |
| Power, up to | 249 hp | 249 hp |
| Torque, up to | 325 Nm | 350 Nm |
| Gearbox | CVT | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 898 mm | 4 950 mm |
| Width | 1 915 mm | 1 923 mm |
| Height | 1 691 mm | 1 776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 825 mm | 2 984 mm |
| Fuel tank | 72 L | 71 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 68 375 ₸ | ≈ 16 475 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Nissan Murano III (Z52)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 249 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Large tank: 72 L
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- Engine Nissan VQ (V6): oil consumption on some engines
- Gearbox Jatco JF016E/JF017E (CVT): bearing whine
Engine (Nissan VQ (V6)): oil consumption on some engines; catalytic converter breakdown and cylinder scoring; valve cover leaks.
Gearbox (Jatco JF016E/JF017E (CVT)): bearing drone; belt and pulley wear; overheating.
Volvo XC90 II
Pros
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: generally reliable
- Powerful versions: up to 249 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Large tank: 71 L
Cons
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: valve body wear at high mileage
Gearbox (Aisin automatic): generally reliable; at high mileage — valve body wear.
Which one to choose
- Murano III (Z52) — if you care more about: fuel tank.
- XC90 II — if you care more about: torque, wheelbase, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Murano III (Z52) or XC90 II?
Murano III (Z52): up to 249 hp, XC90 II: up to 249 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Murano III (Z52) — about 68 375 ₸, XC90 II — about 16 475 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.