What is the best year for a Nissan Murano?

From available data, 2024 (4 complaints, 10/10 safety, 0 severe) and 2023 (6 complaints, 10/10 safety, 2 severe) are exceptional years. Complaint data has significant gaps in our records between 2013 and 2022, so years in that range can't be fully assessed. Recent production shows very low complaint activity.

How much does Nissan Murano insurance cost?

Murano insurance averages around $2,418/year — roughly $202/month.

Is the Nissan Murano or Chevrolet Blazer cheaper to maintain?

The Murano is $14/year cheaper than the Blazer — $507 versus $521 — a negligible difference. The Blazer has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 14%), and much lower repair frequency (28% vs. 51%). On total maintenance value, the Blazer holds a meaningful advantage despite nearly identical annual cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Murano?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the midsize segment. While the annual dollar cost is below average, the elevated visit frequency means more exposure to labor charges and potential additional repairs discovered during service. Warranty coverage is worth considering for used models to help contain those costs.

Is the Subaru Forester expensive to maintain?

The Forester costs $632/year to maintain — $111 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8, and major repair probability of 13% is above the 11% norm. It trails the compact class average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Subaru Forester?

The 2024 Forester (28 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the standout year — the best on record. Avoid 2014 (402 complaints, 53 severe) and 2018-2019 (483 and 831 complaints respectively), which coincide with documented engine oil consumption and EyeSight recall issues. The 2022-2024 window shows significant improvement.

How much does Subaru Forester insurance cost?

Forester insurance averages about $2,035/year — roughly $170/month.

Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $203/year cheaper — $429 versus $632 for the Forester, over $1,000 in savings over five years. The RAV4 also has higher reliability (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (10% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (26% vs. 37%). The RAV4 has a significant advantage on every maintenance metric.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Forester?

Reliability score of 7, major repair probability of 13%, and repair frequency of 37% — all above the compact class average — make extended warranty worth considering, particularly for 2014-2019 models with severe documented complaint spikes. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile improves substantially but still trails the class average.

Nissan Murano vs Subaru Forester

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Murano to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Subaru Forester if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Nissan Murano	Subaru Forester
Annual maintenance	$507winner	$632
5-year total cost	$2,535winner	$3,160
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	13%winner
Cargo space	—	74.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$41,670	$29,600winner
Best years to buy	2023	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Nissan Murano	Subaru Forester
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	166.8	162.9winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2013, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	62.2%	86.9%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	47.3%	67.5%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	37.4%	54.4%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Nissan Murano	Subaru Forester
Engine	5.7%winner	13.3%
Electrical	7.0%winner	8.0%
ADAS	5.9%winner	10.6%
Brakes	19.8%	3.8%winner
Suspension	5.1%	4.2%winner
Steering	2.2%	1.8%winner
Fuel system	1.1%winner	1.6%
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	8.1%winner	24.4%
Airbags	9.5%winner	10.4%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Nissan Murano	Subaru Forester
Avg annual premium	$2,418	$2,035winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Nissan Murano

$507/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Forester

$632/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Murano averages $507/year in maintenance — $66 below the midsize segment average of $573. However, repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40%, meaning owners visit for unscheduled repairs more often than most midsize rivals. Major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% segment average. Lower annual cost but higher visit frequency — a mixed profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →