Nissan’s Turbocharged 4-Cylinder Is Holding It Back

I’m never upset to get a Nissan Murano as a rental car. Beyond that, I don’t really give it much thought. But after test-driving the new 2026 model, I had stronger opinions than I expected to. In fact, I found myself missing the old V6.

I don’t have an issue with four-cylinder engines on spec. There are plenty of turbocharged four-bangers out there that do their jobs well. On top of that, Nissan’s variable-compression turbo design is pretty cool. In today’s heavily homogenized market, it’s rare to find cars that actually do things differently, even if those differences don’t contribute anything tangible to the experience. It’s unique, sure, but I can’t say it’s necessarily better for it.

Hey, …