The Murano has grown up and seemingly grown out of its “bling” phase, but there’s more than just cosmetic changes afoot here – has Nissan’s distinctive large crossover finally come of age?
The old car was an undeniable head-turner, and while the new model seems to have toned the aggressive styling down a notch it’s still quite a distinctive machine. The stepped headlamps now flow more readily into that bold chrome grille, while the flanks and roofline have been massaged in such a way that the Murano looks substantial but sleek. The rear-end sees the demise of those prominent “haunches” with their wrap-over tail light clusters in favour of a more Qashqai-esque tail – it’s a change that some will appreciate as an added touch of subtlety, whilst others will bemoan the car’s more conventional rump.
The interior offers good space fore and aft, as well as a flat, spacious load bay with nifty sidewall-mounted controls that drop/raise the rear seats to free up even more space. In terms of trim quality and finish, the new Murano is one of those rare cars that manages to feel much better than it looks – at a glance the initial perceived quality is okay, but run your hands over the real metal trim and soft touch plastics and an air of upmarket build quality really shines through. The central hang-down sports a very intuitive tiered (optional) infotainment system that, in the case of our test car, integrates a left-front wheel-mounted camera to aid tricky offroad/parking manoeuvres.
Power is provided by a tweaked VQ35DE 3,5-litre V6 that produces 191 kW and 336 N.m of torque and is mated with a six-step CVT. The unit responds crisply to throttle input with a satisfying muffled snarl and does not feel overly hampered by the CVT, propelling the Murano along at a fair lick. The only times this transmission appears to be caught out is on slight uphills under a medium throttle, where it seems a little reluctant to step down. Otherwise, the steps are very smooth and response to hard acceleration is sharp.
This model sits on the company’s new “D” platform and sports a heavily-revised suspension set-up comprising lighter components, re-modelled mounts and a new multi-link arrangement at the rear. The result is a very composed ride at low speeds and a surprising element of agility when pressing on. The steering is light, but precise enough to make piloting this big Nissan a cinch, with only a hint of understeer announcing itself when really carrying speed into the bends.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the new Murano is the vast improvement in overall refinement. There’s little in the way of road or wind noise; and considering the comfortable cabin, slick transmission and brawny powerplant, the new Murano is a satisfyingly serene cruiser.
So, it seems that the Murano has grown up somewhat. The choppy ride and plasticky cabin of the previous model have made way for a far more capable setup with a broad breadth of talent. And what about the Murano’s looks? Well, I think the jury’s still out on that one…
A full road test of the Murano 3,5 Xtronic appears in the October ’09 issue of CAR.
