Kuhl Just Turned the Nissan Murano Into Something Nobody Expected

The Nissan Murano is heading back to Japan, but not in the usual way. This time it returns as a U.S.-built import, slipping through under a trade deal that skips local testing. Deliveries are set for early 2027, but Kuhl Racing has already stepped in.

Instead of leaving it as a quiet, comfortable SUV, they are reshaping it into something that feels much more like a custom build.

The first renders go all-in on stance. The suspension drops the Murano by about 60–70 mm, which is wild for something meant to carry groceries and kids. It ends up sitting close to the R35 GT-R ride height, which is not something you expect from an SUV. It looks cool, but also a bit like it might scrape on a speed bump if you look at it wrong.

Wheels help sell the idea. You get 21- or 22-inch forged options, like the seven-spoke VRF01 or the more detailed KCV04. Both feel more at home on a show car than a daily crossover, which kind of sums up the whole build.

And this is just phase one. Kuhl says a full body kit is coming, with a sharper front end, side skirts, a small rear wing, and a diffuser. Nothing too crazy individually, but together it pushes the Murano into a completely different lane.

They are also planning brake upgrades, which feels necessary once you see how it’s being set up. The engine, though, stays untouched. It’s still a 2.0-liter turbo four with 241 hp and 352 Nm (260 lb-ft), paired with a nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive. So it will drive like a normal Murano, just look like it’s trying out for a tuning show.

There is one slightly awkward detail. It stays left-hand drive, even in Japan. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something you notice.

Price is expected to start around ¥8 million ($50,100). If you go for the full Kuhl treatment, you can easily add another ¥2.5 million ($15,600) on top for the kit, suspension, and brakes.

It’s a funny mix when you think about it. Not what the Murano was ever about, which is exactly why it stands out.