Nissan Murano is strange, but it has grown up a lot
2015 Nissan Murano SL AWD: Top student in a class of one?
Price: $41,905 as tested (this trim level starts at $38,550; a base front-wheeldrive Murano can be had for $29,560.)
Marketer’s pitch: “It’s got form. It’s got function. All that’s missing is competition.”
Conventional wisdom: Nissan’s trying to be weird and edgy.
Reality: Bottom student in the class, too.
Up to date: I had written the Murano off as a strange but svelte crossover. But it’s grown up. A lot.
Up to speed: Saving the best for first, the acceleration in the Murano is lively. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine creates 260 horsepower and motivates the Murano to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, according to Edmunds.com. They called that average for the segment, but I found it sprightly and fun.
Shiftless: Unfortunately, this engine is mated to a Nissan CVT. The gearless “automatic” transmission offers none of the satisfying shifts that an automatic does under hard acceleration. The engine tends to stay in high revs until accelerator pressure is reduced, so driving the Murano without stressing the engine takes some practice.
Presumably, this is boosting fuel economy.
Fuel economy: I can’t tell if it worked. I averaged about 21 mpg in the usual Mr. Driver’s Seat mix of highway and suburban driving. This is fairly comparable to the Ford Explorer and Nissan Rogue, the latter a 2014 model eking out 23 mpg and featuring three rows, but also a four-cylinder engine.
Tough view: One would think a bigger crossover would offer drivers a commanding view of the road. One would be mistaken. The Driver’s Seat in the Murano has the feel of the Explorer — far away from the excessively sloped windshield and far away from either side of the vehicle as well.
Up ahead: The slope of the windshield coupled with the slope of the hood leaves drivers fairly unaware of where the front of the vehicle may be. Being able to easily judge this point seems to be an integral part of the driving experience, at least for me.
Driver’s Seat: Adjusting the seat was difficult. I had room to raise the seat higher for a more commanding view, but then my foot would become sore because it was too steep against the accelerator pedal.
Careful passing: Mirrors and sideview monitors become a crucial ingredient in changing lanes. I may have called other teeny weeny corner windows “useless” in the past, and I realize now I was being unfair.
On the road: Murano ride dynamics did not seem up to pricier SUVs. The tall roof and short wheelbase add up to a bouncy ride. This is not much worse than the Kia Sorento or SUVs of its ilk, but they cost far less than the Murano.
Friends and stuff: If I’ve made this sound like it was a truly terrible week in the Murano, that’s not exactly so. Mrs. Passenger Seat and I were delighted upon embarking on our first journey. The soft leather seats really cradled passengers in Infiniti worthy luxury. The brushed aluminum trim also added a nice touch. I’m sure lowerpriced versions are not nearly so well-appointed.
Rear seat space was awesome. Corner passengers will have plenty of room to spread out and stretch their legs. Center passengers will weep as their feet straddle either side of the console.
Almost 70 cubic feet can be had with the rear seat folded down.
Up front, the console is seemingly unending, as my arm disappeared up to my elbow every time I reached in for a CD. But only one other cubby holds a key fob or phone, and it’s awkwardly shaped for a smartphone.
Play some tunes: The multimedia system featured a deluxe 8-inch screen that made navigating the bowels of the controls or the map of the countryside clear and easy. Sound was adequate.
Night shift: The overhead lighting was bright and pretty, and didn’t interfere with the driver’s view of the road.
Where it’s built: Canton, Miss.
How it’s built: Though the Murano doesn’t get a Consumer Reports reliability rating as a redesign, its previous six years have split between average and above average.
In the end: I’m trying to figure out what the market is for the crossover. Will people pay Lexus-like prices for a nice SUV from Nissan?
But if you like creature comforts, the ability to zoom and standing out in the crowd, this may be for you.