Nissan Murano SL
Maxabout Review
Stylish & Refreshing
Tuesday, February 24, 2009The Nissan Murano was one of the first midsize crossovers to be introduced in the United States. As with other vehicles in this segment, the Murano combines the driving attributes of a car with the elevated seating position and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle. Also in its favor is a spacious interior, a powerful V6 engine and distinctive styling.
Since its introduction in 2003, the Murano has been one of Nissan's best-selling SUVs. Particularly when compared with the rugged truck-based SUVs in Nissan's lineup, the Murano's classy, sculptural lines stand out. Rounded edges mask the crossover's substantial size, translating into a surprising amount of cargo and passenger space inside. Now, Nissan India is considering to launch the Murano in India may be this year.
It certainly isn't easy these days, but Nissan has successfully etched a distinctive brand face for its cars and SUVs. Though bolder than before, the Murano's nose looks like a cross between the previous generation and the smaller Rogue crossover, with new headlight clusters and grille.
The rear end isn't as bulbous; it also resembles the Rogue, but with an oddly shaped rear window styled to improve visibility. LED taillights and dual chrome tailpipes are standard. Black roof rails are optional on the S and SL; the LE comes with silver-accented rails. The crossbars that make it a proper roof rack are optional for all three trims.
The Murano's ride is comfortable and its handling competent, with well-weighted steering. There's some sportiness in the styling. According to Nissan, the rear independent suspension was reworked to improve the backseat ride, which had garnered some criticism. Murano uses a 3.5-liter V-6 teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission and can be had with front- or all-wheel drive.
Murano has the second-generation CVT first employed by the Altima sedan and coupe, which share this model's platform. It improves by responding more quickly to the accelerator pedal and to whatever situation you happen to be in: passing, cruising, accelerating. There's plenty of power for off-the-line starts, and decent oomph when passing. Again, it's partly because the engine is larger and needn't rev as high, but there's no real problem with excessive and inappropriately timed engine noise like you find in some four-cylinder/CVT pairings.
The driver faces bright gauges, illuminated steering-wheel controls and a simply laid-out center control panel. A pushbutton engine-start system replaces a conventional keyhole with a slot for the remote-keyless-entry transmitter. There are comfortable new front seats and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, including a powered version on the Murano LE. Cloth upholstery is standard on the front seats, which are manual, with six-way driver and four-way passenger adjustments.
The driver gets a lumbar adjustment. An eight-way power driver's seat is standard on the SL and LE. Heated leather front seats with a power passenger seat are optional on the SL but standard on the LE. Two-driver seat-position memory, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a heated backseat are standard on the LE. The backseat is pretty comfortable, with 60/40-split backrests that recline by means of a strap on either outboard side at hip level.
Antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution are standard. In addition to the required frontal airbags, the Murano has side-impact airbags for the front occupants and side curtains to protect both seat rows. The curtains are designed to deploy in the event of a rollover, too. The front seats also get active head restraints that move forward to cushion the occupant's head in a rear collision. An electronic stability system with traction control is standard and, according to Nissan, it communicates with the all-wheel drive (when equipped) for coordinated control in low-traction situations.