Murano

Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Murano LE AWD with Technology Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$50448

Performance: Underneath the Murano’s bonnet is a familiar face. Nissan’s tried-and-true, excellent VQ35DE continues to power this soft-roader with ease. With 265 ponies and 248 lb/ft of torque, power has never been an issue. Its also one of the world’s most refined and smoothest V6 available. Its eager to response in low rpm but fall slightly short over on high rev, as this motor is designed for providing generate low-end torque in Murano’s application. It matched with one of the world’s best CVT gearbox, Nissan’s Xtronic, which is both efficient and effective. In the Sentra SE-R, we weren’t fond of CVT’s existence in a sports compact. However, in a Murano, its a perfect match because of its efficiency and level of smoothness. The best aspect of driving a CVT is the amazing fuel economy it generates, even in an SUV as a Murano, which is close to 4200 lb. Throttle response is linear and this CVT has engineered to have a bit of a gear changing sensation for those who haven’t got used to stepless tranny.

Handling: Consider Murano is based on the sporty Altima platform, its no surprise its the sportiest soft-roader in its class. While understeer and body rolls are expected, Murano provides the most reassuring and confidence-inspiring driving experience among its peers. The steering is sharp and precise, with plenty of feedback. Suspension is firm and supple without the bouncy ride once experienced in its predecessor. All those choppy ride quality have gone for cushy one. Even though its AWD system is a reactive one, which means it only starts to appear once the system detects a slippage in one of the offending wheels. It works exceptionally well under snowy, slush and freezing rain. Nissan’s VDC, or Vehicle Dynamic Control, continues to provide sure-footness active safety when the driving gets nasty. It only acts at the right time without being instrusive, even under such a poor weather. In a nutshell, Murano continues to be the most fun-to-drive soft-roader in its segment.

Brakes: The 4-wheel discs with standard ABS provide impressively under the poor weather. We managed to give a couple of hard stops under the freezing rain on the slush and ice, its completely fade-free. ABS only performs its trick at the right moment, while Brake Assist doesn’t grab your right foot ridiculously.

Interior: Nissan designers are smart enough not to adapt a 3rd row seat at the back of the Murano, in order to make more room for both rear passengers and cargos. Instead of cramming a tight 3rd row seat like its peers, Murano’s cargo space is both versatile and well layout. The storage underneath the flood is well-carpeted and divided for different items. When you need more cargo space, you can just flip it down using the handle on the side. When its time to flip them back, just push the auto button and it returns to the original position automatically.

When it comes to interior materials and fit-and-finish, all those questionable plastic finally gone for good. Instead of having the cheapest interior in its class, Murano has become one of the best interiors. Along with clean instrumentation gauges, effective auto climate control that generate heat amazing and comfortable leather seats. Nissan also provides an infotainment center that stored all the necessary informations at the touch of a fingertip. Unfortunately, it tends to wash out under sunlight as with other center positioned infotainment centers.

Conclusion: The new Murano is truly an impressive package. It got both pace and grace with a sense of quirkness. We are also glad to see Nissan has finally revealled itself with it comes to building the proper interior. If you are looking for a mid-size soft roader, Murano should be on the top of your list.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Nissan Murano
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5

Vehicle: 2003 Nissan Murano SE

Performance: Power has never been an issue with Nissan’s sweet VQ35DE powerplant. With 245hp and 246 lb/ft of torque available, Murano feels like a rocketship. As with other VQ silibings, throttle response is exceptional. This engine never seem to run out of breath at any rpm. Matched with this engine is Xtronic CVT. This CVT is efficient and smooth, it also works perfectly well with this V6 powerplant. This shiftless feel has made Murano one of the most refined and flexible soft-roader ever driven. The only drawback is the rather jerky response as I dropped down from D to Ds. It lacks the total smoothness of Audi Multitronic’s manual mode. Nissan claims D to Ds is the only control that driver can use through this CVT, however, I think they need to sort out the transition smoother or just design another gate as manual mode are more sensible ways.

Handling: One of Murano’s best attributes have to be its road manners. The automatic AWD works quietly and smoothly without any drama. Since Murano is based on the proven Altima platform, it feels stiff and strong without any flex. The handling is predictable and entertaining. Suspension is firm without sacificing the ride comfort. SE’s sports suspension has made Murano feels like a jacked-up 350Z with AWD than anything else. Steering provides lots of on and off-center feel. Transition is sharp while providing great driver feedback. The leather-wrapped wheel also provides nice grip through corners, its response is also quick and linear. Vehicle stability control kicks in at appropriate time. Although you can’t expect a soft-roader has ESP as uninstrusive as PSM, Murano’s VSC works as expected without sacificing the fun. There are slight understeer while body rolls are well-controlled considered Murano’s center of gravity and weight. In short, it should be considered as one of the most fun-to-drive soft roaders available anywhere else.

Brakes: Murano has excellent pedal feel and response. Under the rainy condition of the testing, its stopping distance is short. The system is top-notch.

Interior: Similar to many recent Nissan products, Murano continues to suffer from medicore furnishings although it already felt a lot better than the Altima it based on. The leather seats have great support. With tilt steering, power adjustable seats and pedal. The driving position is easily find. All the stereo, climate control are placed on a location that are easily reached. Extra nod for Nissan designed large knobs for stereo. However, there are couple of drawbacks. The center screen for stereo, climate control and trip computer tend to wash out in the sunlight because it positioned too close to the windshield. It also speaks as a problem on a rainy day like today. When the headlights from the opposite lanes shine through the windshield, it also tends to blind the driver’s visibility of the screen. Nissan should rethink the screen location. Nissan designers have followed Toyota designers too closely on RX300 since both have the same problem. Secondly, auto AWD button, power mirrors and heated seat switches are placed in front of the shifter. This location is a nightmare to use also dangerous when driver has to reach far front to get to those rocket switches down below. There are enough space somewhere in the large interior to put these controls on. How about power mirror switch goes back to door panel while the rest goes somewhere in front of center armrest??!! The center console is large enough for a laptop but its covered with cheap, hard plastic. The back seat is comfortable and should occupies 3 people no problem.

Conclusion: Except for the typical Nissan interior, Murano has done everything that excel its price class. This car has the ability to challenge the luxury SUVs that are more expensive but provide fewer cargo space than the Murano. If you can get over the chromy grille, cheap interior and stay away from the orange interior, the overall package is really hard to beat.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 NISSAN MURANO SE
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4.25/5