Exclusive: Nissan spruces up Murano for 2019

LOS ANGELES -- Nissan is giving the Murano a nip and tuck for the 2019 model year as the automaker looks to keep the midsize crossover competitive in a growing and increasingly crowded segment.

Nissan freshened the Murano inside and out with an emphasis on the interior, especially the top trim line.

The 2019 Murano comes in four trims, but the range-topping Platinum receives interior appointments that look similar to those of the Infiniti QX50.

The updates include new leather seats with diamond-quilted inserts, micro-piping trim on the seats, armrest and center console lid, and dark wood trim. The three other trims come with either a light wood or metallic trim.

An 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard. Muranos in SL and Premium trims get standard navigation, which was revised and now includes 3-D building graphics and satellite imagery.

Outside, the Murano receives a revised V-motion grille and redesigned, crisper LED front and rear lights, as well as LED fog lights.

Nissan also added new 18- and 20-inch aluminum wheel designs and three new exterior colors.

Nissan has sold 68,962 Muranos through October in the U.S., an increase of 18 percent over the year earlier period. It's the fourth highest selling nameplate in the brand's lineup.