Have we finally waited?
The European version of the new Murano reached our dealers only a year after its world debut. But considering that the first generation of the model was awaited on our continent for several years, such a period can be considered real progress. At the same time, many fans of the model have long been unable to imagine themselves without the second-generation Murano, which they once brought from across the ocean.
Calling this car a completely new generation would hardly be correct — it is rather a very thorough modernization. The overall body layout has remained virtually unchanged, but the front and rear ends look completely different. The headlights now visually flow into the radiator grille, and at the rear, horizontal lights have replaced the previous vertical ones. Thanks to such metamorphoses, Nissan Murano has stretched by a few centimeters, although the wheelbase remains the same. The crossover has also grown slightly in height.
The interior after the update has become completely different and in many ways echoes the design of the Teana sedan's cabin.
The steering wheel and instrument cluster now live their own life, and the instrument lighting itself has become noticeably more pleasing to the eye.
The controls for power windows and mirrors have moved to the upper part of the door card and are now literally at your fingertips.
True, because of this, the seat memory buttons had to be moved aside — they are now located almost at the very bottom of the door.
It is impossible to find fault with the quality of finishing materials: solid plastic, genuine leather, real aluminum — what else is needed for happiness? Perhaps only a little unpleasant when, when turning the steering wheel, your gaze hits the bare bolts of the steering column mounting, not covered by anything.
There is still plenty of free space in the Murano cabin: you can sit with great comfort on both rows of seats. And the trunk is so spacious that another row of seats could easily fit in it — so if a Murano+2 version appears, it will surprise no one. Moreover, the folded third-row seats can be raised without even leaving the driver's seat.
On the Ukrainian market, the Nissan Murano is available in four trim levels, which differ in the presence of a DVD player with a screen for rear passengers, electric drives for the trunk lid and steering column, as well as a memory system for driver's seat and mirror settings. We got our hands on the top-spec Murano LE+.
In terms of equipment level, the new Murano has come very close to Infiniti crossovers. Moreover, some options available for Nissan could even make a premium brand envious. For example, heated rear seats and such a useful electric tailgate are not even found in the base of the luxury Infiniti FX in its top configuration.
You can understand that the Murano is still not an Infiniti in a crowded parking lot: here, the not-small crossover would clearly benefit from the proprietary around-view monitor system with four cameras, rather than a single rear-view camera.
What's new?
The 3.5-liter engine familiar from the first-generation Murano has been refined and now produces 249 hp (in the American specification — 265 hp). The Xtronic CVT has undergone an even more serious modernization. Notably, this is the first continuously variable transmission capable of handling power over 260 hp.
The fact that the engine and CVT pair have been properly worked on is eloquently indicated by the official fuel consumption, which does not exceed 15 liters. Moreover, if you drive around the city without rushing, the appetite can be reduced to 13 liters — and this is for a not-at-all-small crossover that reaches 100 km/h in 8 seconds!
The suspension of the new Murano has become noticeably quieter and more comfortable. The car handles road irregularities much better than its predecessor. However, due to the softness of the suspension, the body now rolls more in corners, so you need to slow down more actively before turns.
Excellent sound insulation allows you to fully enjoy a decent audio system with 11 speakers, and rear passengers can watch DVD on a fold-down screen via wireless headphones. To feel completely at home in the cabin, you can even use the remote control.
Do not forget that the Murano does not claim to be a sports car. The manufacturer has even limited the maximum speed electronically to 210 km/h (we still managed to squeeze out 215 km/h) so that owners do not overestimate either their own strength or the capabilities of the CVT. The comfortable suspension also does not add drive. Moreover, when quickly turning the steering wheel, your palms begin to slip on the rim, despite the leather trim.
Why pay more?
The new Nissan Murano surpasses the first-generation model in many ways. A more expressive appearance and generous equipment have raised the Murano almost to the level of luxury crossovers. At the same time, the change of generations did not affect the price, which remained quite competitive. Today, the new crossover costs from $56,900 to $63,200. For comparison, the Infiniti FX starts at $70,000, and for a new Lexus RX you will have to pay almost $80,000.
Thanks to its extraordinary appearance, the new Murano will definitely not get lost in the flow of cars, and the attention of others to the not-yet-familiar crossover is guaranteed. But in our realities, where a car is judged by the emblem on the hood, the Murano will not have a cloudless future. The Nissan brand still lacks that prestige, which is especially valued in cars over $50,000.
Pros:
- rich equipment;
- low fuel consumption;
- spacious interior;
- comfortable suspension.
Cons:
- slippery steering wheel;
- body roll in corners;
- some buttons on the center console require reaching;
- no choice of engine and transmission.
We thank Nissan Motor Ukraine, represented by Tetyana Gordienko, for providing the car.