Driven Article - 2003 Nissan Murano - 11/2002
When taken in concert with the Altima on which it is based, Nissan's Murano is the target Ford will have to hit - and beat - when it introduces its Freestyle (formerly known as "Crosstrainer") crossover SUV in 2004. Like the Murano, it will share its underpinnings with a roomy four-door sedan, and boast a V6 engine mated to a CVT. In fact, the similarities between the two vehicles (one real, one proposed) are so obvious, it's eerie. Sure, Toyota and Honda have followed the same path, taking the platform and component sets from their best selling sedans (Camry and Accord, respectively) and spun off successful SUVs (the Highlander and Lexus RX300 at Toyota, the Pilot and Acura MDX at Honda) from them. The difference, in this instance, is that Nissan has taken a different tack, dressing a sporting sedan in the trappings of an SUV. In most respects, including price, the Murano is a vehicle that you'd expect to be wearing the upmarket Infiniti badge, not the more common Nissan logo, but Infiniti won't be selling a version of the Murano. Where the Murano really shines is in the transparency of the continuously variable transmission. In fact, it's doubtful most buyers will ever be aware of the belt-driven transmission's presence. Shift shock is, by definition, eliminated. Plus, the Nissan engineers tuned the system such that there is no "drone" from the engine as it runs at near-constant speed.
2005 Nissan Murano SE AWD - CNET's 10 hot vehicles for techies ...
Nissan has taken bold styling risks with many of its recent cars. Although the Quest minivan has struggled to find acceptance, the stylish Murano, described by Nissan as sculpture in motion, has been a hit. The car-based SUV offers contemporary technology, including a constantly variable transmission (CVT) to help the 245-horsepower V-6 deliver a nice balance of performance and economy. When equipped with the Touring and Technology packages, the $38,980 Nissan Murano SE AWD adds a long list of touch-and-feel equipment, from keyless entry and starting to a DVD-based GPS navigation system with rear-mounted camera for backing using the navigation monitor, HID headlamps, and prewiring for satellite radio and rear-seat entertainment systems. High-tech enthusiasts will enjoy the contemporary styling inside the Murano, including a center stack that appears to float above the floor to a console designed to store a laptop. Storage for cell phones is also provided, along with hidden bins in the rear floor, features that anticipate the tech owner's lifestyle.
2004 Nissan Murano Overview of Used 2004 Nissan Murano Cars at ...
The Nissan Murano drives almost as well as a luxury sports sedan, but carries cargo like a Honda Pilot sport-utility. The Murano is a crossover vehicle, designed to haul cargo like a sport-utility, but ride and drive like a car. View an updated list of 2004 Nissan Murano recalls. Why drive a hazard when you can get it fixed for free? From collapsing tailgates, to wheels falling off, to engine fires, the list of needless risks goes on and on. The amount and severity of 2004 Nissan Murano recalls can also give a clue about overall quality. You can never be sure of how well a car will protect you until it gets crash tested. Search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationas 2004 Nissan Murano crash test results for all sub-models. Results for 2004 Nissan Murano front and side crashes a the first and second most common types of crashes a are available for every sub-model.
2004 Nissan Murano Review - 2004 Murano MSRP, Specifications ...
The Nissan Murano drives almost as well as a luxury sports sedan, but carries cargo like a Honda Pilot sport-utility. The Murano is a crossover vehicle, designed to haul cargo like a sport-utility, but ride and drive like a car. The Murano is different from most crossovers, however, in that it's biased toward the car part of the equation. It offers more of a car-like ambience and handles better on pavement than competitors like the Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The Murano is designed to seat four or five people in comfort. Nissan resisted the temptation to cram three rows of seats inside like the Highlander and Pilot do. Like a car, the Murano has just two rows. It's not a substitute for a minivan, nor does it look like one. The Murano was launched as a brand-new nameplate for 2003, and now comes pre-wired for a satellite radio receiver. The Nissan Murano comes in SL ($28,200) and SE ($29,150) models. Both offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive ($1,600).
2003 Nissan Murano Road Test
A DVD based navigation system is available as an option. It has a map display that could be switched between normal (Plan) view or the unique to Nissan Bird view. This is where the map is at an angle making it appear as though you were a few hundred feet above the road surface and seeing a 3 dimensional panorama as a bird might see it, all the way to the horizon.
usnews.com: Auto reviews: 2003 Nissan Murano (2/20/03)
G FORCES: The engine offers all the power you'll need for most nontowing situations. And it's standard on every trim line, a nice touch that makes even the base Murano a rocket. There's also a newfangled "continuously variable transmission," or CVT, that eliminates nearly all the clunky upshifts and downshifts of an ordinary automatic transmission and makes the ride even smoother. But driving the Murano feels much more intuitive than you would expect. In trying to gentrify the SUV experience, Nissan was aiming for the popular "crossover" mix of a carlike ride in an SUV-like package. In that regard Nissan has succeeded. The Murano grips the road with the firm smoothness of a good sedan, and there's even a sporty sensation: The steering is fairly stiff for a vehicle this size, and the accelerator pedal has a little extra resistance that coaxes a bit more effort out of the driver. In other words, the vehicle engages you in the driving experience. The Murano stands its ground around sharp bends and doesn't throw you to the sides as do many SUVs, a big plus. The 245-horsepower V-6 engine is powerful, smooth, and quiet.
2006 Nissan Murano review picture
The new 2006 Nissan Murano comes in two models - the Murano SL and the Murano SE. Whichever model you choose, rest assured you'll be getting a safe and reliable car for your money. Recent 2006 Nissan Murano reviews describe the vehicle as "revolutionary" and rank its engine as one of the ten best on the road today.
Telegraph Motoring Naughty but nice
For all the indifference of car makers and the environmental cant about gas-guzzling 4x4s, however, the Murano is the most curvaceous and unthreatening SUV of its type and it's certainly a looker. On the inside, it's a smashing place to sit, imparting a genuine sense of modern luxury and style derived from the 350Z sports car, with rich, thick leather hides, cool aluminium-alloy and chunky black plastics surrounding seats that amply accommodate almost all sizes, front or rear. What you get is a sublime ride quality reminiscent of a well-sorted Jaguar, with reasonably positive handling and pleasingly direct steering. The Murano is a great all- rounder, supremely comfortable for long journeys without wrapping the driver in servo-assisted cotton wool; indeed pressing on is rewarding and good fun. At a fraction less than -L-30,000, the Murano will be competing for the attention of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Volkswagen Touareg customers; those attracted to the Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz M-class, BMW X5, Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne or Lexus RX300 typically spend more than -L-30,000.
FreshAlloy.com: Nissan Murano
When Nissan hinted at a lightweight rear hatch design, they werent kidding. This controversial looking door is constructed of advanced plastics and is reinforced with steel. Vertically stacked headlamps with optional Xenon bulbs and standard 18 inch wheels and tires round out this rounded package. And just as in the new G35 and 350Z, Nissan has paid special attention to aerodynamics. Following the trend, Nissan has outfitted the Muranos interior with everything needed for their target markets active lifestyles. The theme is also first class seating for two couples. Nissan claims the interior is cohesive with the exterior, with a clean and dynamic design. Handling should be fairly good for an SUV, as the Murano is based on the Altimas FF-L (previously called SS-L) platform. It features 4-wheel independent suspension with rear multi-link and stabilizer bars.
2003 Nissan Murano - The Car Connection
While it's their first North American application, Nissan has sold over a million CVT-equipped cars since 1992 in Europe and Asia. A seven-speed manual was originally in the plans for upmarket Muranos, but during testing it was dropped in favor of an all-CVT lineup. You have a choice of four Murano models: SL and SE trim can each be ordered in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the latter described as "a new small smart system" that's normally front-wheel drive but can send as much as 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels. Consistent with its "urban SUV" billing and sedan-based platform, the Murano gets four-wheel independent suspension, struts with a cradle-type subframe and a stabilizer bar up front, and a multi-link setup plus a stabilizer bar at the rear. Standard braking is outstanding thanks to four-wheel, 12-inch vented discs with four-channel anti-lock (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). The resulting interior grabs you. Its design and colors are the perfect accompaniment to the cutting edge exterior. Cloth seats are standard, but Nissan expects 65 percent of Murano buyers to opt for leather.