Topic: First Drive: 2015 Nissan Murano

[Autos_Editor]

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[Noto]

the “V-Motion grille”, though I find that is one of the few awkward spots around the snout, especially when seen from head on.

  Gawd that thing is just awful.

I think the Murano has an interest niche, as a down-branded (near?)luxury CUV...not sure why others haven't gone quite as fancy (Venza is kind of a craptacular sea of plastic, and the Edge is also geared towards a less classy audience (no offence meant there)).  Murano chases after the 40-50 year old male middle class, I think.

[Kris78]

I really want to like this thing, as there are precious few "sexy" CUVs at that price tag. There are three issues I have with it though.

Like the Pathfinder, I find something off with the proportions of the front end. When viewed straight on, it looks like the front track is too narrow for the vehicle. From the wheel wells, the car swells outwards before curving back into the hoodline. The car version of a muffin top...

Also, and like the Venza, it is a shame that its sporty styling does not translate into a sporty ride. Surely, they could offer a sportier ride down the road? If a Nismo Juke exists...

It is also disappointing that the interior is not nearly as avant garde as the exterior. You walk up to the car looking at a really sexy bod, and get in to find a much more conservative interior.

[bridgecity]

I like it overall, even the grill.  The worst part, and I mentioned in another thread, is the silver plastic on the steering wheel.  Awful.

[Noto]

[aaronk]

Well, it's not my taste at all, but it does shake up the photocopier looks of this segment a bit. The closest thing I can think of with this much visual drama is the Range Rover Evoque, which is in a completely different price range.

[JRM]

This is a great looking midsize wagon, although I agree with those who find the interior styling to be a let down.  The cargo volume is larger than i would have thought possible with such low slung styling.   I like it much better than the Rogue and Pathfinder, which look too much like their competition.

[sailor723]

I keep forgetting about the Murano. My dad bought an LE in 2004 that was way ahead of it's time for it's segment...... proximity key, push button start, memory seats, large LED display screen etc etc.

One thing that did strike me was the price points. I seem to recall a loaded LE in 2004 was more than today's top trim.

[Nuttygent]

  Nissan is going to eventually come out with something a little more innovative than that archaic V-6. Noticing Ford has introduced the 2.7 TT V-6 with some very nice numbers really shows how outgunned Nissan is. Not a Ford fan but have to say good work to their men in the engine design department with all the good stuff being released these days.

[SaskSpecV]

One thing that did strike me was the price points. I seem to recall a loaded LE in 2004 was more than today's top trim.

Yeah, the Murano has come down in price (relatively) a LOT since it first came out.  My buddy also bought a 2004 LE, and it was ~ 45K + tax.  Now the roughly equivalent trim (whatever the third trim is, just under platinum) is $38K.  10 years worth of inflation, but 7K cheaper?  Pretty good deal!

But back in 2004, the Murano was HOT, its technology and features were top of the line, and it had virtually no direct competitors.  Nissan could charge a hefty premium and still have plenty of sales.  Now there is so much competition in the segment, pricing has to be much sharper.  And while Nissan has introduced some new tech (zero-gravity seats, around view monitors, etc.), that powertrain - while mildly improved - is still basically the same as it was in 2004.  Nissan can easily pass some of those savings from amortized development costs on to the customer!

[redman]

Seen this live recently on a dealer test drive as evident by the plate.
This vehicle is definitely one of those vehicles that has to be seen to appreciate it.
It's an eye catching update and packs the wow the original Murano did.

[dirtyjeffer]

personally, not a fan of the swoopy jelly bean shape...i much prefer the "boxy" look of the Forester or GLK, for example...i think the purpose of a vehicle is for utility/higher seating position/more ground clearance...the "common sense" reasons...i find these overstyled units sacrifice their intended purpose for looks.

[Whofan]

Lots of pictures... but doesn't this thing have a trunk to carry stuff?

sorry, I would want to see the way the trunk looks and see how the space is used.

My 2˘'s anyway  (there are a couple pics that don't show here, at least for me at my work computer, broken link icon)

[mikesvl]

Tacky and cheap looking on the outside, actually looks quite ridiculous.  At least the inside is normal.  I completely disagree with the writers comments on efficiency; there is very little engineering effort to achieve efficiency here at all: no direct injection, no low pressure turbo's, no diesel, just an old port fuel injected V6 strapped to a rubber band transmission.  According to articles from the big 4 car magazines, Nissan continues to lead the way in the wrong direction between real world and rated fuel economy.

[nlm]

I used to hate the Murano with its stupid looking Geordi LaForge grille and the price. This redesign is much better and I think Nissan is making a good move offering two market segment CUVs for similar money. The choice of interior tone is another good move. The price is definately the biggest shocker as others have noted, it is cheaper now that when it was first introduced.

The only negative is that the engine has not seen any changes in about a decade. Their 3.5 plants have at least upped the power ante in other applications but not really here.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Meh.

[ArticSteve]

Well just when Nissan seems to be waning it strikes again.  Price point and jazzy style makes a seller.

[Northernridge]

Well just when Nissan seems to be waning it strikes again.  Price point and jazzy style makes a seller.

That pretty much describes it. I think the new Rogue and Murano are both significant improvements over the outgoing models. Most new CUVs are trying very hard to look like each other, I like that Nissan has tried to do something a little different here.

[mixmanmash]

Well just when Nissan seems to be waning it strikes again.  Price point and jazzy style makes a seller.

That pretty much describes it. I think the new Rogue and Murano are both significant improvements over the outgoing models. Most new CUVs are trying very hard to look like each other, I like that Nissan has tried to do something a little different here.

Yeah,  too bad their reliability on new models is down the toilet.

[jyarkony]

Lots of pictures... but doesn't this thing have a trunk to carry stuff?

sorry, I would want to see the way the trunk looks and see how the space is used.

My 2˘'s anyway  (there are a couple pics that don't show here, at least for me at my work computer, broken link icon)

it's in there:
http://www.autos.ca/first-drives/first-drive-2015-nissan-murano-2/attachment/2015-nissan-murano-platinum-jy-17/