Is the 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor Worth the Extra Money?

The 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor is now on sale in the US, slotted between the SL and Platinum trims, starting at $46,990 with the same engine as the rest of the lineup.

What Is the 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor?

The 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor is confirmed and on sale in the United States. It sits in the middle of the 2027 lineup, between the SL and Platinum trims.

The idea is straightforward: a darker, sportier look without touching the SUV’s mechanical package. Engine, transmission, and drivetrain carry over unchanged from the rest of the range.

Nissan redesigned the Murano for the 2025 model year, and the Dark Armor’s arrival in 2027 replaces the SV trim, which was dropped from the lineup. The US range now runs three trims deep: SL, Dark Armor, and Platinum.

Nissan hasn’t confirmed official sales for this trim in Brazil or Europe at this time.

Quick Specs

Specification	Details
Trim	Dark Armor AWD
Positioning	Between SL AWD and Platinum AWD
Engine	2.0L VC-Turbo, 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Horsepower	241 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Drivetrain	AWD
Combined Fuel Economy (EPA)	23 mpg
Cargo Space	32.9 cu-ft (behind 2nd row)
Price (US)	$46,990 MSRP + $1,545 destination
Markets	United States (Brazil and Europe: not officially announced)

What Sets the Dark Armor’s Exterior Apart?

The Dark Armor stands out with a blacked-out finish: gloss black 21-inch wheels, dark badging, exclusive side and window trim, plus a sportier front and rear bumper design.

On dimensions, the Murano measures 192.9 inches long, 78.0 inches wide, and 67.9 inches tall, riding on a 111.2-inch wheelbase.

Those measurements carry over across the entire 2027 lineup. What changes between trims is the trim-specific styling, not the body itself.

[INSERT IMAGE HERE: EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE CAR]

How Much Room and Comfort Does the Dark Armor Offer?

The Dark Armor adds perforated Prima-Tex seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof, none of which come standard on the SL.

Nissan hasn’t released specific legroom, headroom, or passenger volume figures for this trim. What’s confirmed is that the Murano remains a five-seat, four-door SUV with 32.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row.

That cargo figure is typically enough for everyday family use, though there’s no direct comparison available against rival SUVs in the research.

What Tech Comes Inside the Cabin?

The NissanConnect infotainment system runs on a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the Dark Armor and Platinum, Nissan adds Google built-in, bringing Google Maps and Google Assistant directly into the system.

Connectivity extends to a Wi-Fi hotspot, the MyNISSAN app, Bluetooth, and a front-seat Qi2 wireless charging pad.

On the safety side, the Dark Armor comes with the Safety Shield 360 suite, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic braking, blind-spot intervention, lane intervention, and intelligent cruise control with stop-and-go. ProPILOT Assist driver-assist tech is also standard.

A 360-degree HD camera and a 10-speaker Bose sound system round out the comfort and tech package on this trim.

What Engine Powers the 2027 Murano Dark Armor?

The Dark Armor uses the same engine as every other 2027 trim: a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder with variable compression and turbocharging. It makes 241 hp at 5,600 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Power routes through a 9-speed automatic transmission, and AWD comes standard across the entire 2027 lineup, Dark Armor included.

That means buyers stepping up to the Dark Armor gain nothing extra in power or mechanical response over the SL or Platinum. The difference is entirely about styling and standard equipment.

Nissan hasn’t published 0-60 mph or top speed figures for this trim.

What’s the MPG on the Murano Dark Armor?

EPA-rated fuel economy for the 2027 Murano comes in at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

21 mpg city
27 mpg highway
23 mpg combined

The fuel tank holds 18.7 gallons, which works out to an estimated range of roughly 393 miles in city driving and 505 miles on the highway.

There’s no consolidated real-world fuel economy data from owners specific to this trim in the research.

How Much Does the 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor Cost?

The Dark Armor AWD starts at $46,990 MSRP, plus a $1,545 destination charge. That’s $3,000 more than the SL AWD, which starts at $43,990, and $2,800 less than the Platinum AWD, priced from $49,790.

In practice, the Dark Armor works as a middle-ground pick for buyers who want a more distinctive look plus extras like the panoramic sunroof, Bose audio, and 21-inch wheels, without paying full Platinum money.

Entry pricing for the 2027 lineup also climbed after Nissan dropped the SV trim, narrowing the range of lower-cost options.

The research doesn’t include insurance, maintenance, or resale value figures for this trim, nor does it cover official sales plans for Brazil or Europe.

Given where it sits on price, the Dark Armor is likely to appeal most to shoppers who’ve already settled on the Murano and want a bolder look, rather than buyers cross-shopping midsize SUVs purely on value, since there’s no performance upgrade to justify the higher sticker price on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Murano Dark Armor

Is the Nissan Murano Dark Armor sold in Brazil?

No. Nissan hasn’t announced official sales for this trim in Brazil at this time.

Does the Dark Armor have a more powerful engine than the SL?

No. Every 2027 trim shares the same 2.0L VC-Turbo engine rated at 241 hp and 260 lb-ft.

How much does the 2027 Nissan Murano Dark Armor cost?

Pricing starts at $46,990 MSRP, plus a $1,545 destination charge, in the US.

What makes the Dark Armor trim unique?

Gloss black 21-inch wheels, dark badging, a panoramic sunroof, perforated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system.

Verdict

The 2027 Murano Dark Armor delivers a bolder look and a solid equipment list, but it doesn’t bring any mechanical upgrade over the rest of the lineup. That’s the trade-off: paying more for styling, not performance.

It makes sense for buyers who already like the Murano and want to stand out visually. It makes less sense for anyone cross-shopping midsize SUVs on mechanical value.

This is more of a heart decision than a head decision. In the end, the Dark Armor is about style, not power.

Would you pay extra for the blacked-out look, or would you stick with the SL and save the difference?