Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
When it comes to styling the new Murano is an absolute head-turner. I’m not going to even pretend it’ll be the end all to be all for everyone, but for me and those who appreciate a sporty looking premium level SUV, this mid-size five-door CUV works very well. Ken Lee, Senior Creative Manager at Nissan Design America, I tip my hat to you. It’s hard to believe when seen out of doors that the new Murano represents a toned-down version of the Resonance Concept first shown at the
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Like most completely made-over models the Murano has grown, but an increase in length of 99 mm (3.4 inches) over the previous generation and 117 mm (4.6 inches) over the original is only one reason it looks leaner. Its 1,915-mm (75.0-inch) width expands on last year’s version by 33 mm (1.3 inches), which was
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Obviously Nissan believes 2,824 mm (111.0 inches) is just right for accommodating occupants and their gear while delivering a comfortable ride and good driving dynamics, and after spending a week with the new model I’d have to agree.
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
If you’ve only seen the open cargo bay while walking past the new Murano in a shopping mall parking lot, the impressive way Nissan has finished it, with rich carpeting
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
So equipped its the Dame Edna Everage of crossovers, a love it or leave it design motif that reminds me of the mid-century modern pearl formica table tops that are coming back into fashion amongst very trendy urbanites (and therefore will likely
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
At first the primary gauge package appears simple and straightforward, and for the most part the tachometer and speedometer, done out in traditional white on black, are just that, but in between is a large full-colour high-resolution TFT multi-information display filled with useful driver-specific information. A meaty leather-wrapped steering wheel houses all the controls for the MID and more on its satin-silver surfaced spokes, and the switchgear quality is excellent. Ditto for the nicely damped and tight fitting buttons and knobs on the centre stack, those surrounding
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
That gorgeous infotainment touchscreen is ultra-large with impressive graphics on a crisp and clear display. It integrates a backup camera, navigation, phone controls, access to a powerful Bose audio system, vehicle settings, info on just about anything to do with this CUV, and a handy menu button at centre for guiding you through the system. Just underneath is the dual-zone automatic HVAC
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Proximity-sensing access with pushbutton ignition is standard on the SL, while two-way seat heaters are standard across the line. My tester’s perforated leather covered seats were ultra comfortable and quite supportive in all the right places. Then again the rear seating area is close to limousine-like, with more than ample head and legroom for taller folk, as well as good shoulder and hip room. It was made to feel airier
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Visibility from the driver’s seat is quite good considering the raked roofline and narrow rear windows, which was certainly a bonus when negotiating confined parking lots, not to mention the usual mayhem of downtown city traffic where I found the Murano extremely easy to maneuver. Likewise, its fully-independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension system with stabilizer bars at both ends helped it track wonderfully at high speeds and was especially confidence inspiring through fast sweeping corners where it remained resolutely planted in its lane. The Murano is also adept at managing tight curves at a quick clip with reasonable feedback
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
All the better to enjoy its standard DOHC, 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 engine with continuously variable valve timing, rated at 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque.
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
You won’t hear me use the words “impressive” and “continuously variable transmission” together very often, but Nissan has truly mastered this technology and therefore deserves praise. Most everyone appreciates that CVTs are extremely efficient transmissions, the result of fewer moving parts which would otherwise cause greater parasitic power loss from added friction, and only one continuously variable gear allowing the engine to maintain its optimal rev range to maximize both economy and performance, at least in theory, but they’ve long been
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
As
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Incidentally, only base S and second-rung SV trims offer a front-wheel drivetrain, with the SL I tested and the top-line Platinum arriving standard with AWD. A quick rundown of key standard features offered in these four trim levels will surprise you, especially what you get in the entry-level S. For just $29,998, plus $1,750 for freight and pre-delivery prep, you’ll get an impressively finished CUV with the proximity-sensing remote access and pushbutton ignition system, the 178 mm (7.0-inch) MID between the primary gauges that Nissan dubs Advanced Drive-Assist Display, the gorgeous navigation and rearview camera infused 203 mm (8.0-inch)
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with these last items the base Murano gets Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges, while the infotainment system also includes satellite radio, voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and streaming audio, hands-free text messaging, NissanConnect with mobile apps, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with an aux jack plus front and rear USB plugs, Radio Data System (RDS), and illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Heated front seats are also standard, as are reclining rear seatbacks with a centre armrest, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks with cargo area-accessible levers,
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
After reading this list over I could only think of a few things they’d left out, but as it appears the $33,998 SV has a substantial list of upgrades all its own, such as fog
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The $39,398 SL I tested ups the ante once again, with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an Around View monitor instead of the standard rearview camera, leather upholstery replacing the standard cloth, driver’s seat and side mirror position memory, a four-way powered front-passenger’s seat, a Bose audio system upgrade with speed-sensitive volume and 11 speakers including two subs, adjustable ambient lighting, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, silver roof rails instead of black, plus blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert and moving object detection.
Lastly,
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
My only complaint came from steering wheel stalks that were too far from the wheel for my short fingers to reach, forcing me to lift my hands from the wheel in order to actuate the turn signals or flick the wipers. In all my years of testing vehicles I’ve never experienced this problem. I’m sure for someone with big meaty hands, like Tony Robbins’ banana-sized digits or those attached to most NBA basketball players, this won’t be a problem and may even be a welcome design
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
There you go. The only thing I can find wrong with an impressive new entry that’s bound to raise Nissan’s stakes in the mid-size crossover segment. A bit of history shows the Murano’s Canadian sales stumbled after its first full-year tally of 6,157 sales in 2003, steadily dropping each year to just 4,557 units in 2008 before the 2009 and 2010 financial crisis plummeted Murano numbers to 3,691 and 3,798 deliveries respectively, after which the second-generation gave it a bump up the charts to 4,862 units in 2011, followed by a couple of sliding years to its all-time low of 3,384 units in 2013. Fortunately it rallied back to
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The first six months of 2015 show that people like what they see in the all-new third-generation Murano, with sales up to 4,429 units and momentum building even stronger over the last two months when it sold 929 and 1,004 units respectively, although if Nissan only manages to repeat the performance of these last two quarters it would close 2015 with almost 9,000 sales, easily making this the Murano’s best year ever while bypassing a number of industry stalwarts like Honda’s Pilot, GMC’s Acadia (it already outsells the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave) and even nudging up against Toyota Highlander numbers. Now, together with the Rogue covering the compact class and
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Considering the Murano’s eye-catching style, strong performance, impressive quality, incredible menu of standard features and resultant value proposition, it’s likely that word of its goodness will spread and sales will continue to rise to a level this CUV deserves. If you’re in the market, consider the new Murano seriously. I’m guessing it will impress you as well, but possibly steer away from the over-the-top Liberace interior treatment as it might negatively affect resale value, not to mention your personal image, unless of course you want something to transport all that trendy formica furniture you’ll be picking up at garage sales. Then again, when did I become head of the style counsel? For all I know pearlescent trimmed Muranos will someday become highly sought after collectables and you’ll be deep in the money. Either way you’ve got choice between loud and proud and conservatively tasteful, and Nissan should at least be commended for bravery. As for the new Murano overall, Nissan should be commended for building what is easily one of the best new mid-size crossovers money can buy.
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