Stylish Crossover Stands Out From The Crowd
Likes:
- Bold new exterior styling is sure to turn some heads
- Well-tuned suspension perfectly balances ride and handling
- Smooth shifting CVT maximizes power and efficiency
- Upscale interior is near-luxury quality
- Excellent value for a mid-size crossover
Dislikes:
- Same 3.5L V6 engine as before
- 3rd row seating is unavailable
When it arrived in 2003, the sleek and stylish Nissan Murano was one of the first crossovers to break from the square mold that SUVs have been traditionally cast from. Now that there are relatively few truck-like SUVs remaining, Nissan is pushing the styling envelope forward again with the bold new 2015 Murano.
With even more dramatic lines and creases, the Murano is sure to turn heads again, although some might find it a bit much, especially toward the rear, where the side windows pinch together and the taillights practically poke out at you. Still, this is one of the few crossovers that doesn’t play it safe, and we applaud Nissan for approving such a visually distinctive design.
Given the dramatic new design, we’re somewhat disappointed that Nissan has largely left the powertrain alone. Nissan’s ubiquitous VQ-series 3.5L V6 engine is mated once again to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with all-wheel drive as an available option. Output actually drops a bit with the engine now rated for 260 horsepower and 240 lb.- ft. torque. Although, this is one case where the numbers don’t really capture the performance. Much of the credit should go to the Nissan engineers who tuned the CVT, as this is not only one of the best-performing CVTs on the road, but it really helps to bring out the best in this aging engine.
Stab the throttle and the CVT mimics a fast-shifting automatic with preset gear ratios, while at lower loads the CVT allows the engine to just hum along at low rpms while the transmission gradually shifts ratios. With the cruise control set at 75 mph, we even saw highway mileage of well over 30 mpg during one short road trip, which is impressive for such a large vehicle.
Our first impression of the Murano’s handling was less than spectacular, as the steering feels very light and overly boosted. Out on the open road, however, things got better quickly and we actually started to enjoy taking corners aggressively. Unlike many larger crossovers, the Murano stays remarkably flat when cornering hard, which allows for the kind of speed you’d normally avoid in such a vehicle. The large 20-inch wheels and low profile tires on our Platinum trim test car certainly also helped, as we never felt like the car was about to run out of grip.
Almost equally impressive is the Murano’s well-appointed interior, which is near-luxury in terms of the quality of materials and level of fit and finish. Our test car featured heated and cooled front seats, a wonderful option to have on hot summer days, as well a panoramic moon roof and premium Bose audio. The latest in safety technology is also available, including an around view monitor, intelligent cruise control, forward emergency braking, blind spot warning, and predictive forward collision warning.
Unlike most of the mid-size competition, Nissan has decided to keep the Murano as a two-row only crossover, most likely to prevent overlap with Nissan’s own Pathfinder crossover, which does feature three rows of seating. On the plus side, this means there is always plenty of cargo room, and the rear seats are nice and spacious, and should easily accommodate 3 adults. Families looking for a minivan alternative to help with the neighborhood kid carpool will unfortunately have to look elsewhere.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the new Murano is that you can get such a stylish and practical car for relatively little money. The base Murano S starts at $29,560, and even the top-level Platinum trim can be had for under $40k, starting at $39,000. As an alternative to the more typical sedan or SUV, the new Murano is a very compelling option, one that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to our own family and friends.
2015 Nissan Murano Platinum Specs:
- Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
- Power: 260 hp @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 240 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
- Transmission: Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission)
- EPA estimated fuel economy (mpg): 28 highway / 21 city
- Base price: $39,000
- Options:
- Platinum Technology Package
- Carpeted floor mats and cargo area protector
- 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels
- Price as tested: $44,075
See Nissan Murano for sale on eBay.
