Nissan Murano Review
Search for Car Reviews |
Looking for Nissan Murano reviews? Exchange and Mart provide new car reviews for all makes and models. Read the latest Nissan Murano review with Exchange and Mart. |
 |
|
|
|
Nissan Murano Tested January 2007
Rating
Quick Summary
Average. Characterful road-biased SUV that offers plenty of presence and comprehensive standard equipment.
Road Test
It increasingly feels as if Nissan has given up on manufacturing conventional cars and instead become a specialist SUV-maker. The company has no fewer than five off-roaders of one sort of another in its pricelists, with the Murano sitting at the top of the pile.
Originally designed for the American market, the Murano is big and packed full of standard equipment. The styling is certainly distinctive, and while the cheese-cutter radiator grille and swept back design might be a bit OTT for some, there's no denying that the big Nissan projects plenty of road presence.
The cabin is spacious and well finished, with lots of switchgear and instruments shared with the old 350Z sportscar. Front and rear seat occupants enjoy plenty of legroom and stretch-space, and the vast boot is capable of swallowing an impressive amount of luggage.
On the road, impressions or the Murano are dominated by it's 3.5 litre petrol V6 engine, the same motor that did duty in the 350Z. Not only does this powerplant sound great, but it also endows the big SUV with impressive performance: 0-62 mph takes just 8.0 seconds. The flipside is borderline catastrophic fuel consumption, with the Murano struggling to get near even to its official 25.9 mpg combined economy figure in everyday use. Fortunately, the Murano range also includes the rather more economical 2.5 litre dCI which pushes that figure up to a far more bearable 35mpg. There's a slight dip in performance off the lights, but the diesel engine's 332lb ft of torque more than makes up for it, and helps to make the big oil burner the engine of choice.
The rest of the dynamic experience is slightly underwhelming. The Murano can't match the segment's best SUVs when it comes to driving manners, tending to crash over rougher road surfaces and heave its way around corners. Refinement levels are also relatively poor, with lots of road noise getting into the cabin.
A distinctive, different choice - but not one that's in any danger of ever becoming mainstream.
Next: ratings and breakdown
We like:
1. Distinctive design
2. Spacious, well-constructed cabin
3. Diesel engine adds missing economy
We don't like:
1. So-so driving dynamics
2. Loud at cruising speeds
3. Horrendous fuel bills with the V6
Sum up:
Most fun: 3.5 litre V6
Most sensible: 2.5 litre dCI
Worst: n/a
