Nissan Murano Review

2009 Nissan Murano LE SUV

The Nissan Murano was one of the first midsize crossovers to be introduced in the United States. As with other vehicles in this segment, the Murano combines the driving attributes of a car with the elevated seating position and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle. Also in its favor is a spacious interior, a powerful V6 engine and distinctive styling.

Since its introduction in 2003, the Murano has often ranked as Nissan's best-selling SUV. Particularly when compared with the rugged truck-based SUVs in Nissan's lineup, the Murano's classy, sculptural lines stand out. Rounded edges mask the crossover's substantial size, translating into a surprising amount of cargo and passenger space inside.

With its car-based platform and available on-road-biased all-wheel-drive system, the Nissan Murano is definitely not made for rock-crawling. But on the road, where most SUVs will stay anyway, the Murano is a smooth operator. The character of its strong V6 engine is dulled somewhat by the "gearless" continuously variable transmission, but it is still quite fast, with excellent handling, capable brakes and a smooth ride to round out a performance package that's favorable overall.

The Nissan Murano is still in its first generation. In contrast to some other midsize crossovers, which feature up to three rows of seats, the Murano offers just two for a total seating capacity of five.

The Nissan Murano is offered in three trim levels. The base S model is quite comfortably equipped, with numerous premium features and a standard 7-inch LCD display on the dashboard complementing the stereo, climate control and other systems. More luxurious SL models add some minor interior extras, as well as a backup camera. The sportier SE model rides on a firmer suspension and gets xenon lights, but has an interior that's identical to that of the SL. Options such as leather upholstery, Bose audio, a navigation system and a sunroof are available only on SL and SE models.

All Muranos are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 245 horsepower. The only transmission choice is a continuously variable transmission (CVT). SE models feature a manual shift mode with six preset gear ratios to simulate an automatic with manual mode. SE models also get standard all-wheel drive, which is optional on S and SL models.

Murano standard safety features include antilock brakes with brake assist, front seat-mounted side airbags, curtain airbags with rollover detection and tire-pressure monitors. Stability control is optional and a rear backup camera is standard on SL and SE models.

Our reviews of the Nissan Murano have generally praised the vehicle's sophisticated appearance, stylish and comfortable interior and sharp handling characteristics. The most significant criticism involves the CVT, as its sluggish performance in traffic can be an annoyance at times. Additionally, some drivers might find the ride quality of the SE trim overly stiff.

Consumers interested in a used Nissan Murano have a few late-model years to work with. Since the Murano's launch, little has changed mechanically. An update for 2006 brought subtle changes to the exterior trim and, for the interior, introduced new instrumentation and more elegant materials and color schemes. Previous to this, only minor equipment and trim level adjustments occurred.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.