2003 Nissan Murano Road Test

Living Up to the Lauding

Have you ever built your anticipation up for something so much that the reality of the final event doesnt measure up to the creativity of your imagination, or the imaginations of the marketing team behind the something youve been anticipating? I think we all have. Whether its that blockbuster movie, popular restaurant, dream vacation or big business opportunity, sometimes the hype of hope fizzles into the yawn of yet another unfulfilled dream and life goes on, if not a bit less enchanting.

Sometimes for me its like that with cars. I get the press release often a few months or so before a specific vehicle gets launched at a major auto show, which is usually about eight months before it reaches dealer showrooms. Often I get to drive the car long before its ready for public consumption, but for the most part I dont get my hands on it until after the fact. Thats a lot of lead time to prime the anticipatory pump.

Its even worse when a new vehicle, like Nissans Murano, is winning award after award plus praise and pandering from the automotive press, and for some reason, the planets not aligning or whatever, I havent been able to test drive it. After such, its hard to approach the vehicle in question as the unbiased scrutineer, to disagree with the auto journalist status quo and actually find fault with their number one collective choice. Of course the rebel in me tries even harder to do so.

Thats why its even more difficult to admit when I cant find any problems. OK, every vehicle has its pros and cons, and the Murano is no different. Full-size SUVs haul more and compacts get better fuel economy, premium brands offer more goodies and bargain SUVs deliver on price. Its the balance of combinations that makes Nissans new midsize sport utility so good.

Styling is a personal issue and unless overwhelmingly hideous doesnt merit criticism. In the case of the Murano every comment I received from family, friends and even a woman walking her dog who gave me the thumbs up while mouthing “nice car” were positive. I have to agree. The Murano looks athletically taut, beautifully curvaceous yet edgy, completely modern and unlike anything else on the market - tough to do considering the variety in its category.

Little things impressed me, like the perfectly pressed metal door surrounds, not a trace of welding to mar the finish. The dash and interior surfaces and trim are comprised of high quality plastics and real brushed aluminum. And this isnt a premium brand Im referring to, its Nissan. But even in its base trim with cloth seats the Murano sports high end creature comforts. Add the optional leather seating surfaces and it could easily pass for an Infiniti.

Other nice details include a center console storage bin as deep as Ive ever seen. In typical fashion its housed under the armrest - that incidentally slides fore and aft for optimal comfort. It incorporates an initial bin that pulls out and hides even more space below. A handy power outlet is included, perfect for recharging electronic stuff.

The standard AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system should be impressive enough for most while the 3-dial dual-zone climate control system is easy to operate through the toggle and button actuated standard information monitor. The Muranos trip computer might just be the easiest Ive ever dabbled with, also a standard feature, while the optional and relatively intuitive navigation system also didnt necessitate my fumbling through the owners manual. The latter incorporates Nissans landscape view, showing a more comprehensible mapping system than the usual aerial view.

Getting comfortable isnt difficult either. An 8-way power adjustable drivers seat comes standard, and delivers exceptional support. Combined with the optional adjustable throttle and brake pedals your body type would need to be pretty unique to get bent out of shape. Head and legroom, front and rear, is excellent too.

The cargo area is fairly large considering the SUVs rounded rear end, and offers convenient handles on each side to release the respective split folding rear seatbacks, dropping them forward to open up more room for longer items. This feature appears on Nissans upscale Infiniti FX35 and FX45 too, and its nice to see it trickle down to the less expensive Murano.

That trickle down theme continues throughout the Nissans design and engineering, from perfectly parallel, micro thin panel gaps to beautiful paintwork, premium quality is the name of the game.

The engine too is virtually the same award winning 3.5-L V6 as in the Infiniti G35, I35 and FX35 models. Its available in the Altima and Maxima too, and is especially rewarding when all 245 soul-stirring horsepower is mated to the Muranos continuously variable transmission (CVT).

It shows boldness by the Japanese automaker to offer only a CVT over a conventional automatic transmission. Its by far more efficient for both power and fuel economy but relatively unknown by the vast majority of new car buyers, despite the availability of similar CVTs on everything from the Mini to the Audi A4 Cabriolet.

Of course, like all conventional automatics not all CVTs are alike. Nissans Xtronic system is one of the best Ive tried, offering seamless shifts and the ability to hold the engines revs in the optimal power range to get the best acceleration all the way up to maximum speed. Its amazingly quick off the line too, with no noticeable hesitation.

The Muranos handling is likewise impressive. The vehicle is not particularly light at 3,801 - 3,960 lbs, depending on options, but when tossing it through the curves it feels closer to a sports car than a fully functional sport utility. To be clear, while athletic Nissans midsize isnt as magical as Infinitis mind altering FX - possibly the best for on pavement driving dynamics among all SUVs. Its ruddy good though, and starts about $5,000 less.

For that money the suspension is still independent, with a multi-link rear setup. The brakes are discs all round, while ABS, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) take care of panic situations. A Dynamic Control package is available adding Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and tire pressure monitoring.

While capable in light off-road conditions dont ask the Murano to conquer the wild unknown. Nissan makes the truck-based Pathfinder for such duties, which pales in comparison to the Altima/Maxima based Murano for the majority of regular family day to day operations.

Being a family vehicle the Murano comes with a bevy of standard safety features, including dual-stage front airbags with seat belt sensors, front seat side-impact airbags, plus front and rear seat curtain side-impact airbags. Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters are also standard, as are front seat active head restraints and LATCH child seat anchors.

I had the opportunity to drive only two of the four models available, both all-wheel drive versions of the SL and SE - front-wheel drive SE and SLs are also available. The differences between designations come down to convenience and luxury features for the most part, with upgrades to the suspension and wheel and tire packages in the SE that only affect handling performance.

The SE suspension is sport-tuned, which makes a difference during aggressive driving but isnt necessary unless you find yourself periodically needing to release stored up energy via your vehicle. The SE also gets automatically leveling High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights and dark silver lower bumpers. If you would like to find out more specifics regarding trim details refer to my previously written Murano overview. It covers standard features, additional packages, available colors and more.

After a ride and drive event where I was able to spend the better part of an afternoon on highways and twisting mountain roads behind the wheel of an almost fully-loaded SE, and a hectic week filled with birthdays, sports activities, school runs, and just basically life in a relatively bare-bones SL, Im sold. My wife Jennifer, the critic of car critics, rates the Murano as the best vehicles shes driven all year - and thats a lot for a Volvo devotee to say after recently spending a week with the extremely well sorted XC90.

The case is now closed, the Murano is back in the hands of Nissans zone office and it has not only lived up to a year-and-halfs press releases, onslaught of marketing spin and auto industry pundit ballyhooing, but surpassed all expectations. So when you see someone smiling behind the wheel of Nissans stylish new SUV youll know its not just a stiff upper lip to keep from losing face, theyve actually got good reason.

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