Inside the Design: How Nissan Reimagined the 2025 Murano

The 2025 Nissan Murano draws direct inspiration from its namesake, the Italian island of Murano, where centuries of glassmaking tradition inform every curve and surface of this new crossover. The design team, led by Senior Design Director Giovanny Arroba, focused on the concept of "energetic elegance," expanding the vehicle's width to 1981 millimetres to establish a purposeful road presence. This fundamental dimensional change marks the beginning of numerous deliberate design decisions that distinguish this generation of the Murano.

Striking Exterior Evolution: Where Nature Meets Innovation

The exterior design process began with a clear directive: create a vehicle that connects with viewers on an emotional level. "We were determined to create something striking," Arroba says. "At first glance, you want to walk up to it. You want to get in and drive it." This goal drove the team to implement significant proportional changes. The increased width enhances stability while allowing designers to craft more dramatic body lines. Nature's influence appears throughout the exterior design language, with horizontal lines flowing from the headlamps to the rear fenders, reflecting the symmetry found in natural horizons.

The rear design showcases the team's attention to detail. Designers repositioned the license plate into the lower bumper and concealed the rear wiper in the diffuser, creating an uninterrupted canvas for the LED light bar. This clean approach eliminates visual distractions, allowing the horizontal blade of light to command attention. The front fascia introduces the thinnest headlamps ever featured on a North American Nissan, connected by slender black elements that create a distinctive signature look.

Program Design Director Tase Nobutaka points to the early collaboration between designers and engineers as crucial to achieving the vehicle's refined appearance. The team meticulously minimized panel gaps between doors, bumpers, and body panels. "It was very complicated at times, but worthwhile to provide a uniform, smooth appearance," Nobutaka explains. This dedication to precision required new manufacturing approaches and countless hours of refinement.

Interior Sanctuary: The Art of Japanese Hospitality

Inside the Murano, Japanese omotenashi principles guide the creation of a sophisticated space. The dashboard features a unique three-layer finisher that produces color gradations similar to traditional Murano glass techniques. "One of my favorite features is the glass-like trim on the dashboard," Arroba notes. "We developed a three-layer finisher that provides a beautiful color gradation reminiscent of Murano glass."

The seating design challenges conventional automotive color schemes. Deep blue-and-black quilted leather options offer unexpected luxury, while maintaining the horizontal theme through two-tone designs. The seats mirror natural color transitions, similar to the way evening light changes from sky to horizon. Even the steering wheel adopts this horizontal emphasis with a distinctive two-spoke design.

Technology integration required special consideration. The dual 12.3-inch displays sit behind wrapped, stitched materials, appearing as natural elements of the interior architecture rather than technological additions. Touch-capacitive climate controls integrate seamlessly into wood-like trim sections, demonstrating what Arroba describes as "warm tech elegance." This thoughtful implementation ensures digital interfaces enhance the driving experience without compromising the interior's refined atmosphere.

The 2025 Murano demonstrates the possibilities when designers prioritize both visual impact and functional precision. The design team's dedication to detail, from the exterior proportions to the interior materials, establishes new standards for crossover design. As Arroba states, "Our goal was to create a fundamentally beautiful vehicle – something equal parts form and function." The result speaks through its purposeful design choices and refined execution.