Swoopy Murano a unique utility
Joe Duarte
Published: 05 05 2010
If anyone ever doubted the way a company gets out of a death spiral is through interesting product, he or she need only look at Nissan.
Around the turn of the millennium, the company found itself in dire straits with a net loss of over $6 billion and only three profitable models of its 48-model stable (worldwide). Through a connection with Renault and one Carlos Ghosn, the company turned a profit of nearly $3 billion after one year and ended up with one of the more interesting vehicle line-ups in the business.
One of those interesting products was the 2003 Murano, which not only turned Nissan away from the slab-sided sport-utility design of the times, but probably single handedly created what has become known as the crossover utility market.
For its second generation, Murano nips and tucks some of the harsher creases of its predecessor and improves on interior usefulness for passengers and their stuff, with an interior that is creative and functional (once you’ve become intimate with the owner’s manual).
The most useful cargo device is a box, so Murano’s tapered upper body and tucked-in tail probably puts it at a disadvantage against the likes of smaller but boxier competitors such as the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. However, the sleek Murano looks smaller than it really is – actually competing against the likes of the Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander – so it really has a disadvantage in terms of cargo carrying ability.
Where it hasn’t succumbed to the marketing, though, is in the availability of a third row seat. Instead, Nissan chose to go with a generous cargo area and Murano will easily carry your foursome’s golf bags. And to make sure groceries don’t have free range of the area, an under floor pop-up cargo separator keeps smaller items penned in.
Could a third seat be fit in? Undoubtedly. Would its residents be comfortable either in leg room or shoulder room? Likely not. Still, there’s no denying shoppers in this market are looking for the versatility to carry passengers AND cargo, so Murano falls short of most of its rivals.
It also falls short in the drivetrain department, with all Muranos using Nissan’s award winning 3.5 litre V6. It’s a great engine – smooth, refined and powerful – and it falls just shy of the V6 offerings of many of its competitors (and some of them have V8 options for those needing to haul stuff). The biggest hindrance, however, is probably the continuously variable transmission.
Nissan does make probably the best CVTs in the biz, but they’re still CVTs and not the geared (and usually better user controlled) automatics that are often required during the different operating modes of SUVs.
Murano’s transmission does, however, help return better fuel economy than all its rivals (save for the Hyundai Santa Fe’s 276 hp 3.5 V6), so it comes down to what you need – more power for towing or better fuel economy for running around town.
The curvy shape does have its benefits when it comes to road travel, with the wind flowing swiftly and silently around the cabin. Murano delivers as quiet a ride as you’ll find in any vehicle (wagon or sedan), never mind competitors such as the Toyota Highlander (which prides itself on its quiet cabin). It’s comfortable, too, with the independent front strut and rear multi-link setup keeping things flat and smooth over the most upheaved pavement.
The wide stance and squat cabin also keep the centre of gravity low to the ground, translating into above average handling for a ute. If you were to take a 370Z and turn it into a utility vehicle, chances are you’d end up with Murano both in looks and performance.
Summary:
Year/Make/Model
2010 Nissan Murano
Price as tested $44,783
Trim level SL
Price range $38,298-$47,948
Freight $1,560
Options Luxury pkg ($2,800) includes dual panel sunroof with power sliding shades, Bluetooth, HID headlights, power liftgate; leather seating ($1,850) includes power front passenger seat, power driver’s lumbar; premium paint ($135).
EnerGuide fuel economy ratings 11.8 L/100km city; 8.7 L/100km hwy
Observed fuel economy 10.1 L/100km over 694 km
Warranty (basic) 3 years/60,000 km
Warranty (powertrain) 5 years/100,000 km
Competitors Chevrolet Equinox; Honda Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Kia Borrego; Toyota Highlander; Volkswagen Touareg
Strong Points Weak Points
- looks – passenger/cargo versatility
- comfort – CVT
- ride and handling
- fuel-economy
Editors Rating:
Fuel consumption * * * *
more car like than even some cars
Value for price * * *
Kinda pricey but average in the segment
Styling * * * *
one of the best looking vehicles on the market (CUV or otherwise)
Comfort * * * *
plush seating and acceptable room for four, even five
Performance * * *
CVT masks the refinement and relative power of the VQ engine
Overall * * * *
for fashionable running around all year round, can’t be beat
