What is it like to live with the Murano in daily family life compared to more traditional family SUVs?
Premium crossover SUV is how the Nissan Murano is usually promoted, with a combination of form and function. But its place in the market makes one wonder if it’s really an everyday family use kind of thing compared to something more conventional like the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. For family duty a vehicle needs to have enough space for cargo, its simple to install car seats, it has an adequate rear seat comfort, and should be versatile. Some practical aspects of the Murano's more stylish design may suffer, but its comfort oriented features could make for good family trips. So, does the Murano pull off its almost luxury aspirations and the everyday cheer of family life — grocery runs, road trips — and can its special qualities help or otherwise?
With three children I can say the Murano handles family life surprisingly well. There’s enough room in the back seat for car seats and the cargo area swallows up all our gear. It's not as boxy as a Pilot, but that means it doesn't feel as much like a minivan substitute. And the kids like that it looks cool.
I sold my Murano for a Highlander and I have no regrets. We found the Murano comfy, but it wasn’t versatile enough. The cargo space is cut into by the sloping roofline and there's no third row. For couples or small families, it's great. A growing family, however, will struggle with its demands.
Our family of four is perfect for the Murano. The panoramic sunroof gives the kids something to do, while the zero gravity seats make road trips a breeze. It may not have as much cargo space as other competitors, but it makes us pack smarter. It’s also way more stylish in the school pickup line.
The Murano has been great for our family, and I’m a soccer mom. The power liftgate is a lifesaver when my hands are full, it's easy to clean, and it's got enough tech to keep the kids happy. It’s not the most practical thing, but it makes me feel like I haven’t completely let go of my pre mom identity.
I sell car seats, so I can tell you the Murano is a mixed bag. The LATCH anchors are easy to reach, but some bigger rear facing seats can be tricky to fit around the sloping roof. You can do it, but you may need to be more selective on car seat choices than you might with a more upright SUV.
And it's been great, so we chose the Murano over more traditional, family SUVs. When you're constantly running errands, it's more fun to drive. The rear seats split fold for Costco runs or sports equipment. It's a great compromise between form and function.
The Murano, I think, is trying to do too much. It wants to be stylish, but also family friendly, and it is just okay at both. It’s nice interior wise but I miss the carpooling third row. It works, if you're okay with some compromises, but there are more practical options out there.
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