Nissan Japan is reverse-importing the US-built 4th-generation Murano, should we get it?

The Nissan Murano is one of the brand’s midsize crossovers that mainly cater to the premium end of the segment, especially in markets with larger roads, such as the North American market. We briefly had the model for the first two generations, which also included Japan.

However, in a bid to help improve Japan-US trade relations, Nissan Japan is reverse-importing the US-built Murano to reintroduce it into the market. And yes, like the reverse-imported Toyota models (Camry, Highlander, Tundra), the Murano will be left-hand drive, which is perfectly legal within Japan.

Sporting a sleeker, more upmarket design compared to the rest of the lineup, the Murano looks to compete with the likes of the Mazda CX-60 in terms of size and features, with amenities like a panoramic moon roof, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, dual 12.3-inch touchscreens (similar to the Nissan Patrol and Leaf), a 10-speaker Bose sound system, and the addition of ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows for autonomous driving on select roads.

The Murano is also not electrified but has higher-end internals for its powertrain, sporting a 2.0-liter variable compression turbo gasoline engine (KR20DET) with 245 horsepower and 352Nm of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission, a four-wheel drive drivetrain, and frequency-sensitive dampers for a smoother ride and better handling.

Now, the reverse-imported Murano doesn’t come cheap in Japan, running for 7,964,000 JPY or roughly Php 3.055-million for the sole SV spec. Seeing as we had this model here before, it would be nice to see it make a return under Nissan Philippines, especially if the so-called open market between the Philippines and the US does come to fruition and introduces zero tariffs on US-built automobiles.

^{Photos from Nissan}