Power for the Murano is rated at 260 hp and 240 lb-ft, while our Edge sees its hp count lowered to 245, with torque growing to 275 lb-ft Those aren’t huge discrepancies, but you do feel it in straight-line force once you get past the turbo lag manifested early on in the rev band. Ford has put a lot of stock in their EcoBoost technology and here it provides a clear look at what a turbocharged four-banger is able to do.

However once you’re up to speed both cars feel equally quick with the Murano providing a little more confidence during high-speed passes thanks to the quick to rev-and-deliver V6. You are, however, stuck with Nissan’s Xtronic Continuously-Variable Automatic transmission (CVT) as your only transmission choice, with the Ford getting a more traditional six-speed auto with paddle shifters, the latter a feature you can’t get on the Murano.

That’s too bad, because I recently sampled the latest Nissan Maxima – which gets the same powertrain as the Murano – and it has paddle shifters, which did well to bring some life to what is otherwise a fairly bland transmission. I think those would have a place behind the wheel of the Murano. Then again, at the Murano’s launch in March, Nissan claimed that it’s fifty-year-old empty-nesters that the Murano is aimed at, and I guess they don’t care so much about driving thrills.

What they must care about, then, is a smoothly-operating transmission and the CVT is that; after all, that’s a big reason why so many manufacturers are going that route.

Comfort and Utility

Brendan says:

Despite feeling surprisingly willing on the road, the Murano is indeed a car for the older customer. That’s good, because young people don’t have any money, and if they did they’d probably spend it on beard oil or tattoos.

The upscale-but-not-too-upscale crossover segment is ideally suited for someone whose come up through a series of family sedan Altimas, and now has the desire for something with a bit more panache. Thus, while the younger family turns to Rogue or Pathfinder depending on seating requirements, those who want something a little nicer and might be carrying adult passengers on the regular will find much to like about the Murano.

It’s certainly a very comfortable car, especially Nissan’s seats. Time and again we’ve been impressed by these and the longer we spend in ’em, the better we like ’em. That’s true front-and-rear, with rear-seat passengers getting a more comfortable ride than they would in the Ford.

Up front, the driver faces a more cockpit-like feel, and steering that’s weirdly heavier than the Edge’s. Not more feelsome, just heavier.

The Edge isn’t harsher by any means, and in fact delivers a slightly smoother ride than the Murano. Mind you, I’d imagine any advantage the Ford enjoys in smoothing out the smaller, harsher impacts would be lost if you optioned the Edge Sport with its gargantuan Ludacris-approved wagon wheels. The 20s on the Titanium car roll easy.

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