2003 Nissan Murano Review
2003 Nissan Murano Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Very good use of interior space, unique styling inside and out, smooth and powerful engine.
Cons
- No third-row seating, SE model rides harshly, gets pricey with options.
What’s new
Not satisfied with the current crop of crossover SUVs? Nissan rolls out the newest car-based SUV, the Murano. It boasts a powerful V6 engine and distinctive styling.
Edmunds says
A stylish melding of form and function. More than just a tall station wagon, the Murano has several unique features to recommend it to the pseudo-SUV buyer.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Murano SL Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$275/mo for Murano SL
Murano SL
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Crossovers have officially arrived. Realizing that most sport-utes never venture any further off-pavement than that pothole-riddled side road you take to drop the kids off at soccer practice, car manufacturers have wisely begun to focus their attention on this new breed of SUV -- which, as you probably know, places its emphasis on delivering a car-like ride on-road, with off-road functionality wisely left in the dust. Nissan's crossover entrant is the stylish Murano, which, says the manufacturer, will be marketed as an "urban" SUV.
The Murano (the vehicle gets its name from glass art made in islands near Venice) boasts a sleek exterior that features wraparound surface construction, a prominent, stylized front grille and an upswept greenhouse that helps the ute live up to Nissan's stated aim of creating a "sculpture in motion". Vertical stack headlights with xenon bulbs are offered to shed light on the road conditions ahead; in rear, a lightweight cargo door -- made from an advanced steel-reinforced plastic -- is, says Nissan, easy to manipulate. A chin and rear spoiler add aerodynamic sportiness to the ute's lines, with the whole kit-and-caboodle riding on large 18-inch wheels and tires. "We think the styling is futuristic, imaginative and invigorating -- just what buyers have come to expect from Nissan," crows Bill Kirrane, Nissan's vice president and general manager.
The Murano's cleanly styled interior provides seating for four. Aluminum trim graces the instrument panel, which features a monitor with integrated HVAC and audio controls (a Bose seven-speaker audio system is available). The driver seat boasts eight-way adjustability; throttle and brake pedals are also adjustable, as is the tilt steering wheel. A split fold-down rear seat offers a reclining feature and a remote flip-down function, allowing the seats to be released from the rear cargo area. Interior temperature is managed via front dual zone climate controls and individual pillar-located rear air conditioning vents. For storage, there's a two-tiered lockable center console box roomy enough to hold a laptop computer, door pockets with a flip-out function, and assorted nooks and crannies for items such as cell phones, sunglasses and coins.
Safety is addressed via dual-stage front air bags, seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat anchors and a tether system, and front seat active head restraints.
Available with front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system, the Murano is powered by a standard 240-plus horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6, derived, says Nissan, from the engine used in 2002 Altima and Maxima sedans. The sole transmission choice is a continuously variable unit (CVT). Benefits of the CVT include smoother operation and greater efficiency than are offered by a traditional geared automatic. For those seeking a higher level of driver input, Nissan will make available the option of an automanual-style shifter for the CVT with seven "speeds". Other performance features include a stability control system (dubbed Vehicle Dynamic Control) and a traction control system.
The Murano shares its platform with the Altima and Maxima sedans and as such, boasts four-wheel independent suspension (which includes an advanced multi-link rear suspension and high-stiffness stabilizer bars). Vented disc brakes with Brake Assist and electronic brake force distribution stop the action dead in its tracks, if need be.
The crossover SUV segment is growing by leaps and bounds -- faster than any other vehicle segment. The Murano -- offering SUV panache and functionality coupled with passenger-car handling -- illustrates just how stylish and useful vehicles in this segment can be, and is certainly worth a look if you're in the market for this sort of hauler.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Nissan Murano.
5 star(81%)
4 star(12%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(1%)
587 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
'03 SL AWD 142,000+ mi
timinmn, 08/29/2012
2003 Nissan Murano SL AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
I have owned this since new, went in to buy an Altima, drove out in the Murano.
It has been a joy to drive. It has been a reliable vehicle for over 142,000 miles.
The only major problem I've had was the transfer case went out at 138,000 ($3000 to fix, still cheaper than a new car).
The one flaw I have found is the fuel filler neck rusting and pitting, causing the Check Engine light to … come on, I have sanded it down applied LPS3 rust preventor on it we'll see if that lasts.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Lurching/Acceleration Delay
whynissan1, 07/20/2012
2003 Nissan Murano SL Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
After taking the vehicle to both the local Nissan dealership and trusted tranny guy - neither could find any problems.
Yet when the car is warm and you run into stop & go traffic (I live in So. Cal.) which is a regularity,you will experience the lurch/delay.
Luckily no accidents! However, putting it into park and restarting the vehicle seems to "reboot" the problem and it will be okay … for a while & then resurface when you least expect it.
3.25 out of 5 stars
Renault is tarnishing Nissan's reliability
mkh142, 06/02/2013
2003 Nissan Murano SE Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
These Nissans in many respects are Renaults in disguise.
Renault has consistently produced unreliable cars for decades and now that they own Nissan, many of Nissans products are suffering.
The Nissan Murano looks nice, and has nice features, but it is a reliability disaster as with every other "Renault".
They are not designed to last, but instead designed to be "profitable" to the … company.
I'd reccomended not buying and going for a more reliable brand.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Murano, Transmitions are ok dont worry,
chrssll, 03/18/2010
2003 Nissan Murano SL AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
Hello my name is Chris from Ma, I just purchased my 2003 Murano SL AWD with 63k on it. I love the interior and exterior. I read the reviews about the CVT transmissions with customers having issues with them. I called Nissan today because I had thought i was having trouble with my tranny but they told me most people don't know and aren't used to driving with the CVT thats why they think … they are having trouble with them. Nissan recently extended their warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles on any Nissan with the CVT. You don't have to do any thing to receive this warranty what so ever. ALSO if you have repaired your transmission withing the 120K they will send you in full your money back.
2003 Murano Highlights
SL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $28,199 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $275/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 32.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Murano include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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