Nissan Murano

Sourcing new and used parts.

Style-conscious motorists looking for a cheaper and more imaginative alternative to a Range Rover, Merc ML or BMW X5 have been eyeing up the Nissan Murano. It’s certainly big and imposing enough and it’s laden with luxuries. In fact, with leather upholstery, 18in alloys, reversing cameras, sat-nav and a sophisticated climate control as standard, there was barely any need for an options list. Prices are tempting, too, with early petrol models struggling to make £4000 in the classifieds.

Nissan’s futuristic-looking SUV broke cover in 2004. It came with a detuned version of the 350Z’s 3.5-litre V6, CVT transmission and the firm’s ALL-MODE electronic 4x4 set-up borrowed from the X-trail. There was no diesel version.

In 2008, power from the original petrol unit went up from 230bhp to 252bhp and it got a plusher interior, improved driving dynamics and even more in the way of toys. Then, from July 2010, the Murano’s thirst was quelled to an extent by the addition of a four-cylinder 2.5-litre diesel which got its own six-speed automatic gearbox – although, having been taken from the no-fuss Pathfinder, this engine is not the most refined of units. The thirdgeneration Murano was launched in 2015.

First- and second-generation models are big, brash and excellent value for money. But is the Murano any good in terms of reliability? And will it come back to bite you when it comes to parts and running costs?