3.5 liters VQ35DE DOHC V-6, continuous system of variable control of distribution (260 horsepower @ 00 rpm, 240 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm)
Xtronic continuously variable transmission (2.413: 1 0.383: 1 range, 0.958: 1 final drive)
21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined (EPA Rating, MPG)
22.4 mpg on dad football test cycle 75 percent city (observed MPG)
tested options: SL trim, all-wheel drive
base Price (S FWD):
$ 30,445 * (US) / $ 31.858 * (Canada)
As Price Tested:
$ 39,435 * (US) / $ 41.393 * (Canada)
* All prices include $ 885 destination fee (US) or $ 1,860 destination charge, IDPs and A / C tax (Canada)
"Damn, its ugly," I am me said -. in addition to openly say among my friends automotive journalists when Nissan unveiled the new, third-generation 2014 Murano in New York. Auto Show
I wondered "who will buy it?" -., In addition to those who would eventually listen to my whining
"I bet it will not sell" proclaimed my inner monologue -.. in addition to my other external
Boy, I was wro ng about the latter year to date sales of the new Murano in Canada have already eclipsed last year completely (sales exceeded 1,000 units in June 2015 for the first time in Canada), and it will probably sell more in the US it has in the last two years at least.
When I had the chance driving the newest "lifestyle" crossover Nissan, I understood why my predictions were that bad. If you can look beyond the sheet metal, the VQ35DE aging V-6 and the variable transmission engine continuously which became ubiquitous with the Nissan brand, you will be pleasantly surprised by what is probably the best lifestyle crossover on the market.
This should not be a surprise. One could make a case for the Nissan Murano is a pioneer in this segment. In 02, Nissan has deployed the first generation Murano is critical fanfare or fire, depending on who you asked
The non-luxury softroader was born - .. If you loved or not
Exterior
To better understand the Murano and "Predator with a Beverly Hills facelift" style, one must understand the competition - namely the Ford Edge. Neither vehicle communicates intentions minimal off-road, even if both are available with all-wheel drive. Both are targeted directly dink s yuppies with money to burn and strengthen the status. They want a vehicle that is very visually so they can be unique just like everyone else.
Compared to previous generations, the Muranos visually more windswept front because of its business-V grid movement and the Z-inspired headlights. It is a consistent design, regardless of how visually unattractive personally I could find.
Around the side, the Murano features the same enthusiasm floating roof treatment that is seeing more use in Nissan and elsewhere. Our mid-trim tester SL was wearing 18-inch wheels shod with 235 / 65R18 rubber that visually fill the wheel wells as much as 20 inchers available on the Platinum version, but has a much better not to make the car look plebeian compared to the Edge on its smaller wheels. In fact, the 18s are the Murano look trendy, expensive and - considered as a type of car -. Comfortable
Around back are some of the most confusing forms and surfaces youll find a cross on sale today. The taillights feature the same style boomerang than those in the front. The blackout floating roof section, during the inspection closely, even some metallic flakes in the plastic so it does not look flat and cheap. As the side, a chrome strip breaks the lower skin of the body and high-glos s paint, like a belt separating black pants and a button-up shirt very colorful.
Overall, the Murano looks expensive and expressive, but its implementation is far from my cup of tea. The Ford Edge ticks the same boxes without being visually nauseating
Interior There
years, I listened to a comic stand -up -. Whose name completely escapes me -. do a bit of yuppies and garage sales
"Yuppie garage sales are as normal - but nothing is for sale Yuppies just want you to look at their stuff."
Nissan knows the Murano typical buyer is not going to have children -. Or if they have that elusive single child, the chances of him or her more than two friends willing to give up their Facebooks and video games to actually drive somewhere is pretty slim. Instead, the yuppies have personal effects is not - or at least more personal property that their child has friends - so, naturally, there is no third row of seats. In its place is a cavernous cargo space so you can take all your stuff on sale yuppie local court, show it, and bring it in a flashy turn.
Unfortunately for the Murano, Edge holds more undesirable yuppie in his cell trunk upward; 32.1 cu. ft. cargo space available behind the second row in Murano (minus 1 cu. ft. with su nroof) versus 39.2 cu. ft. the Edge.
One would think that perhaps the Murano is shorter than the Edge, but it is actually outside of 4.7 inches. Serifs are similar respectively to 111.2 and 112.2 inches. And, as far as I can tell, the space is not moved toward the cockpit.
before space - 39.9 inches
legroom front - 40.5 inches
before hip room - 55.4 inches
front shoulder - 59.5 inches
back lintel - 39.8 inches
rear legroom - 38.7 inches
back hip room - 55.2 inches
shoulder room front - 58.8 inches
Board
height before - 40, 2 inches
of front legroom - 40.5 inches
front hip room - 55.9 inches
front shoulder room - 60.3 inches
back lintel - 40.3 inches
rear legroom - 40.6 inches
rear hip room - 57.5 inches
front shoulder room - 60.5 inches
(Bold is the largest measure.)
I am baffled.
Regardless of the numbers, the Murano is incredibly comfortable at the front and I do not think once I lacked space for my 6 foot 1 inch lanky frame. Passengers do not ask for me to Scootch the drivers seat to give them extra legroom back. However, if youre a dink important, you may want to opt for the Edge.
When you find your place of comfort in the drivers seat, you are greeted by a wheel that could be found in almost all other Nissan. The start push button is easy to find in central dashboard instead of being hidden somewhere behind the wheel. Other controls are fairly simple, with HVAC knobs and buttons located beneath the infotainment screen and shortcuts for navigation, radio and other infotainment functions on either side. Nissan says it has reduced the number of buttons needed to operate their system and that amount seems a happy medium.
The dashboard consists of two large dials separated by a clear, 7-inch LCD screen with pages that are easily accessible through the steering wheel mounted controls . Unlike the Micra, Murano is equipped with a fuel gauge real and not just an LCD representation.
As I mentioned above, the front seats are incredibly comfortable, but they have a cheap look. Perhaps it is the semi-gloss sheen. I just wish they looked as good as they felt. Ditto for the back
At least youll be safe, with a full range of airbags including a knee airbag for the driver, just in case.
Powertrain
VQ35DE the 3.5-liter V-6 sits under the hood of the Murano has to be one of the engines old sale today. Introduced in 01, the engine of the VQ series has been constantly updated and comes in a number of songs depending on its application. However, it does not come with direct injection and other goodies found in competing products
That said, the VQ is always one of the best mon ey survey engines can buy. - Probably because it does come with direct injection or other goodies. Even when paired with Xtronic CVT Nissan VQ rumbles with its all but familiar growl.
When Nissan began assembling its lower end cars four-cylinder with CVTs, I groaned a great groan. But this - with the V-6 and a couple keep low rpm - makes boatloads of sense and is exceptionally smooth without the typical groan known with smaller engines mated to similar transmissions. To top it all, the combination of Nissans 4 mpg easier on fuel on the combined cycle the board, which represents a $ 350 annual savings based on EPA calculator.
Infotainment
Nissan Around View has been on the market for some time, but this is the first time it has been mounted the Murano (incidentally, after it has been mounted on the Versa note). As you would expect, the camera images are distorted enough to give you a better view, but there is another thing that bothers me about it. The picture quality is, well, a little below. While other systems obviously do not give you a 360 degree view of the vehicle on an 8-inch screen, the images offered on the Nissan look pixelated system to the point where you actually might miss something - but if something that is moving, the detection of moving objects has to pick up. Meanwhile, the button "Camera" on the console allows you to activate the system when parking the nose first, which is great for someone like me who can not place a vehicle square between two white lines.
Around View side, the new NissanConnectSM system has improved over the last generation, although its ease of use has been hampered because of it. Thank you to a number of new connectivity features and other trinkets digitial, the Nissan infotainment system is somewhat inflated. If you like infotainment fully featured, this is an excellent solution, but it might not be a selling point if youre like the vast majority of vehicle purchasers who do not use all the features provided by the vehicle manufacturers.
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what distinguishes Murano apart from the rest is how it drives. The 3.5 liter engine is as smooth as you can get. The CVT will do some "transfer", but only so that you can feel a bit of torque transmitted in the seat now and then. Moreover, these seats are as good as they come.
However, these parts are not killer app of Murano. Instead, its suspension tuning and decent tire sidewalls on our SL-trimmed tester that give the Murano a worthy tour of its luxury brand Infiniti. Platinum models give you 20-inch wheels as standard, and Im not sure this is a good buy if the ride quality is No. 1 on your car hunting.
In addition to the suspension, electric power steering Murano also allows the light to handle. Who cares if it feels a bit disconnected? If youre looking for an engaging drive, you are shopping in the wrong segment looking at the Murano. For a few thousand more, there are some interesting options of the Germans, although you might have to downsize.
Aaron Cole, Chris Tonn, and I had a discussion on the Murano style. They quite like the Nissan ... and they would take on the Ford Edge. I prefer the Blue Oval, based on style alone, inside and outside. Yet if the board does not drive as well as Murano (and Im not sure if it but Edge is on the way) I should probably Murano ... bump fuel economy to me is a beautiful woman have
If youre a yuppie with a few coins to spend, the Murano and Edge are like white and red wine :. they wine and they both do the job to look chic, but it is a matter of taste. Murano, for the most part will taste very well
