Popular, hard-working, and fresh-faced: Murano adds flair inside and out
What is it?: One of the pioneering mid-size crossovers, the Nissan Murano was first introduced in 2003 and is now in its third generation.
Why is it important?: The Murano is a workhorse in Nissan’s Canadian lineup, bridging the gap between the cheap and cheerful Rogue and the rough and tumble Pathfinder.
Unlike so much of its competition, it’s powered by a naturally aspirated V-6 — Nissan’s award winning 3.5-litre engine — sporting 260 horsepower and powering either the front or all four wheels.
Like the Maxima — and the Altima, Rogue and Qashqai
— the Murano gets Nissan Safety Shield 360, “a suite of six advanced active safety and driverassist technologies designed to help provide 360 degrees of active driver assistance, crash avoidance and pedestrian detection,” says Steve Rhind, Nissan Canada’s marketing director.
Throw in some new secondrow airbags and a passenger-side knee airbag, and you have a fairly comprehensive safety package. When is it coming?: Nissan says the Murano will be in its dealerships early in the new year. Should I buy one?: Certainly Canadians think so — Muranos have been flying off dealership floors since its 2015 redesign. A little extra flair inside and out shouldn’t hurt its popularity.