Nissan Armada and Murano Earn Top Marks From Owners in JD Power 2026 APEAL Study!
Nissan Armada and Murano Earn Top Marks From Owners in JD Power 2026 APEAL Study!
Posted on September 18, 2026
A new vehicle can look impressive on paper, but how owners actually feel about living with it tells a different story. That is where the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study offers useful insight. This year's results put two Nissan SUVs in the spotlight: the Nissan Armada tied for first in the Large SUV segment, while the Nissan Murano tied for first among Midsize SUVs.
The recognition is significant because APEAL is not simply a test of horsepower, fuel economy, or equipment. It measures the emotional side of vehicle ownership—how satisfying a vehicle feels after drivers have spent time living with it.
What Does the J.D. Power APEAL Study Actually Measure?
The APEAL Study looks at 37 attributes that influence how owners feel about their new vehicles after approximately 90 days of ownership. These include everything from comfort when getting into the driver's seat to the excitement generated when accelerating.
The study therefore touches several areas shoppers experience every day:
- Exterior and interior design
- Driving performance and powertrain response
- Seat comfort and cabin experience
- Infotainment and technology usability
- Storage and everyday convenience
- Ease of getting in and out
- Overall enjoyment and emotional attachment
J.D. Power says the 2026 study collected responses from 78,514 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. Overall satisfaction reached 858 points on a 1,000-point scale, up seven points from the previous year.
That makes the Armada and Murano results particularly relevant: these are not simply impressions formed during a short showroom visit. They reflect feedback from people who had already spent several months with their vehicles.
Nissan Armada: Tied for First in Large SUVs
The Armada's result makes sense when its strengths are viewed through the areas APEAL measures. It is a full-size SUV that combines substantial performance with a cabin designed around technology, comfort, and family usability.
Under the hood, the Canadian-market 2026 Armada uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing up to 460 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 8,500 pounds, giving it the kind of capability that matters when hauling a trailer, boat, recreational equipment, or a loaded family setup.
But performance is only part of the ownership experience. The interior adds features such as Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB-C ports, a 12-speaker Klipsch premium audio system, and available large-format displays and Head-Up Display technology.
That blend helps explain the vehicle's appeal: it can feel substantial and capable without making everyday family transportation feel purely utilitarian.
For Calgary-area drivers, the Armada's combination of available 4WD capability, towing strength, three-row seating, and driver-assistance technology can also translate into useful versatility. Whether the destination is a weekend outside the city or a daily commute, its broad capability gives owners more ways to use their SUV.
Nissan Murano: Tied for First Among Midsize SUVs
The Murano reaches the same APEAL result from a noticeably different direction. Instead of emphasizing maximum towing and full-size capability, it focuses on comfort, refinement, technology, and a more premium everyday experience.
Its 2.0-litre Variable Compression Turbo engine produces 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while standard Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission provide a practical combination for year-round driving. The SUV can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Where the Murano particularly aligns with APEAL's comfort and technology categories is inside the cabin. Canadian-market equipment includes dual 12.3-inch displays, a 12.6-inch Head-Up Display, wireless smartphone connectivity, Google built-in, and NissanConnect services. Higher-end comfort features include quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seating, climate-controlled and massaging front seats, ambient LED lighting, and a panoramic moonroof.
That makes the award easier to understand from a daily-use perspective. The Murano is designed to make routine driving feel more comfortable and connected, whether that means commuting across Calgary, taking the family on a longer highway trip, or simply spending more time behind the wheel.
What the APEAL Award Does—and Doesn't—Tell You
There is an important distinction for shoppers to keep in mind. APEAL measures emotional satisfaction and the ownership experience after roughly 90 days; it is not a long-term reliability or dependability study. J.D. Power itself describes APEAL as complementary to studies such as its Initial Quality Study and Tech Experience Index.
In other words, a segment-leading APEAL result does not mean that either SUV is guaranteed to be more reliable over five or ten years. Instead, the recognition tells prospective buyers that owners reported a particularly satisfying experience across areas such as design, performance, comfort, technology, and usability during the early ownership period.
For a Calgary shopper, that distinction is useful. Reliability, maintenance costs, fuel economy, warranty coverage, and long-term ownership considerations should still be evaluated separately. The APEAL result simply adds another piece of evidence—one focused on how enjoyable and satisfying the vehicle is to live with.
Which Nissan SUV Makes More Sense for You?
The Armada is the stronger fit if your priorities include three-row practicality, substantial towing capability, high-output performance, and greater capability for larger family adventures.
The Murano, meanwhile, is better suited to shoppers who want a comfortable five-passenger SUV with premium-feeling interior appointments, advanced connectivity, standard AWD, and technology that makes everyday commuting easier.
Both earning ties for first in their respective 2026 APEAL segments shows that there is more than one way to create a satisfying SUV. One emphasizes capability and confidence; the other focuses on refinement and everyday comfort.
Explore Nissan's Latest SUV Inventory
Ready to experience Nissan's award-winning SUVs for yourself? Explore the latest Nissan Rogue and other SUV inventory at Royal Oak Nissan in Calgary, and ask the team about current offers, financing options, availability, and test drives.