Nissan Murano sets new benchmark for crossover SUVs

 

The Nissan Murano set a new benchmark for crossover SUVs (sports utility vehicles) when it debuted in 2003.

The all-new second generation Murano unveiled six years later offers enhanced sense of sporty and reassuring driving performance, a quieter and more comfortable interior with even more luxury features.

The new Murano was unveiled here in July and is marketed by distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) under the tagline of “SHIFT_design”, reflecting Nissan’s leadership claim in contemporary styling. It is a crossover that combines utility and sedan-like comfort and luxury, ETCM executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said at its media preview in July.

“With new looks, enhanced performance and refinement, a host of innovative features and an impressive new interior, the all-new Nissan Murano is a significant evolution of the trend-setting original,” Ang added.

Packaging

The all-new Murano’s exterior styling has been described as a piece of sculptured modern art.

With its clean-cut shape, the Murano exudes strength and sturdiness that spells reliability and years of enjoyable use.

It may look much like the original, but with some notable exceptions. There is the new front end, for example, which uses a more angular grille, narrow, sportier headlights and a much brighter finish.

It is more aggressive, yet more refined than the old front fascia.

Some differences take a little longer to notice, such as the character line along the sides and the new taillight design.
Those are much more obvious when looking at photos of a 2007 unit next to the new one.

hile the Murano’s exterior draws lingering looks, the interior is a lap of total luxury.

Described as a suite on wheels, the Murano’s cabin is spacious, functional and lavishly appointed. With the 60/40-split folding automatic rear seats folded, the luggage capacity rises up to a cavernous 838 litres.

Besides the nose job and engine upgrades, Nissan also made dramatic improvements to the cabin, skewing it more toward luxury and refinement.

Materials are soft to the touch and are higher quality than before, while the centre stack is more elegant and more streamlined.

Mechanical

Like the original, the heart of the new Murano is its advanced powertrain and chassis combination, which is anchored by Nissan’s proven VQ35DE V6 engines paired with Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and rigid D-platform.

On the road

The 3.5-litre VQ35DE engine, which offers 25 bhp (brake horse power) more than in the old Murano, gives more power and punch.
This makes it more pleasurable and fun to drive the new Murano.

The flow of power is completely seamless thanks to the Xtronic CVT.

This transmission system includes a new Adaptive Shift Control that controls the shift timing according to the driver’s personal driving style and the driving environment. This helps optimise both performance and fuel economy.

With the advanced ALL MODE 4×4-i all-wheel drive system in the new Murano, superior grip is provided on slippery roads by monitoring wheel spin and adjusting front/rear torque split accordingly.

Competitors

Given its size and the RM300,000 and above price bracket, the Murano is competing with the likes of award-winning Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Lexus RX350 and Audi Q7.

Price and equipment

The new 3.5-litre Murano is sold at RM330,000 excluding road tax, insurance and other OTR (on-the-road) related charges such as registration. It comes with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.

One will also get technological features such as memory seats, stylish dual glass sunroof, power lift gate and rear view camera.

It also comes with a plethora of systems and safety options that are now standard fare on most upscale crossovers, such as VDC with traction control, speed-sensitive power steering, ABS and Brake Assist, EBD, tire-pressure monitoring, and numerous airbags — dual front, seat-mounted side-impact front and curtain side-impact units for front and rear passengers.