Words: Tim Barnes-Clay
NISSAN IS a huge 4X4 player with some hard-core mud-pluggers, but its all-wheel drive appeal is extending to the ‘crossover’ sector – cars that bridge different classes of the market.
The Japanese company says it is leading the way with the second generation Murano – a stylish, high spec 4X4 with the space and desirability of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and the dynamics of a luxury car.
The original Murano was a welcome change in a sector conquered by hideous off-roaders – sexy, muscular and trendy. More at home on motorways than muddy fields, it would not look out of place next to chic executives.
The new Murano’s rounded styling is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. It now has a longer body and this reaps more road presence. The silky-smooth V6 petrol power-plant, which now gives more grunt but lower emissions, gives a glorious V6 burble and the standard automatic transmission makes for unflappable progress. But while the gearbox gives a flawless power delivery it does not deliver the sort of performance you would expect from a V6 lump.
Generally fuel consumption is in the mid-20’s (if you’re careful!) and that is not going to win over many drivers, but a diesel version should change that later this year.
The Murano’s intelligent four wheel drive system, originally derived from the Skyline GTR and first seen in the X-Trail, reassuringly transfers power to the rear wheels when it detects the front ones losing grip. For off-road driving, just press the button on the transmission tunnel to 'lock-in' permanent all-wheel drive. The independent suspension is tuned for the road rather than the rough its high-riding SUV looks suggest. Few owners will risk such a smart looking vehicle off-road, but one useful spin-off of its 4x4 heritage is the lofty driving position, which pays dividends whether you're driving on the black or the green.
The cabin has an upmarket air with its leather seats and metallic trim panels. The driving position has all the adjustment you need to feel at ease and it’s hard to fault the layout of the controls. The let-downs are the clunky plastic heated seat switches – they look like they have been salvaged from a 1997 Nissan Primera. That said it is a very spacious vehicle with executive car-like levels of rear legroom for three adults.
The boot isn’t as immense as you’d expect at 402 litres with the rear seats in place, bit it’s well shaped and loading and unloading is made easier by the powered tailgate opening and shutting at the touch of a button.
Nissan has made parking this big beast a piece of cake. The Murano comes with two cameras as standard – one rear facing to guide you into spaces and another on the nearside to show how close you are to the kerb. For many people £32,000 is a reasonable annual salary – and therefore big money for a car, but the Murano is a lot of car for the cash. The only thing it needs is a diesel engine – and that will be worth waiting for.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
POSITIVE POINTS
Powerful engine
Smooth auto box
Quality build
Easy to park
NEGATIVE POINTS
Thirsty
Old switchgear
Boot space
FACTS
Nissan Murano 3.5 V6 CVT
Max speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 8.1 seconds
Combined MPG: 25.9
Power: 231bhp
Torque: 235lb ft
CO2 261g/km/VED Band M
Towing limited (braked) (kg) 1500
Price: £32,145