2009 Nissan Murano
DriverSide Overview After last year’s sabbatical, we expected the
2009 Nissan Murano to return on top of its game, and to little surprise, it has. Completely redesigned, the Nissan has taken the lessons learned from its first generation crossover and improved upon them. Interior quality has been substantially improved, to the point where an upgraded Murano feels more like its more expensive big brother Infiniti than a Nissan. It’s a large car, even by today’s somewhat generous standards, but thanks to a powerful V-6, light steering and a car-based chassis, it does a fine job of masking its mass. While all-wheel drive is an option, one thing is for sure; the Murano is no mountain climber. That said, what it lacks in athleticism it more than makes up for in comfort and everyday drivability. Best of all, with plenty of options, there is a Murano for everyone; from the stripped-down front-wheel drive base model to luxurious all-wheel drive high-end LE.
What's to Like
The Murano incorporates SUV-like size and legroom without being an overly cumbersome vehicle. Standard features are robust – the one option we’d recommend though, is the premium package, which comes at a reasonable price. The curves of the Murano are particularly attractive and give the small Ute a distinctive look in a crowded and somewhat bland class.
What's Not to Like
Cargo space, while good, has been sacrificed for style due to the sloping rear hatch – it’s not too big of an issue, but certainly noticeable with large stacks of cargo. CVT transmissions aren’t for everyone – a standard automatic option would be nice, as would a somewhat more fuel-efficient engine.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The Murano’s curvaceous lines can make its size look somewhat deceptive, but once inside, you’ll realize just how big of a car it is. Drivers enjoy high seat placement and intuitive, ergonomic controls. Despite the Ute’s bulk, the powerful V-6 engine moves it along with ease. Steering is light and relatively devoid of feedback, it seemingly fits the Murano’s character perfectly. Thanks to the midrange torque provided by the V-6, the CVT transmission doesn’t lag too far behind driver inputs as it tends to with Nissan’s four-cylinder engines. As long as you aren’t looking for 6,000-rpm shifts, you likely won’t have any issues. Overall the ride is comfortable and compliant over broken surfaces thanks to the cushy suspension, making it a perfect daily driver.
Engine and Drivetrain
All Muranos are powered by Nissan’s familiar 3.5-liter V-6 engine, in this guise producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. Murano S and SL models are equipped with front-wheel drive as standard, though all-wheel drive is available as an option. The spare-no-expenses LE model is sold exclusively with all-wheel drive. The Murano is only offered with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Looking for a little extra light? Nissan offers an optional dual panel moonroof that illuminates both the front and backseats when open. The Murano also comes equipped with front and rear mood lighting to add a to the car’s cozy atmosphere at night. Leather will cost you $1,600, but it is of high quality and, we feel, really ups the interior ambiance of the Murano. Another interesting option is Nissan’s Intuitive All-wheel Drive system that adjusts to the driving conditions, using all four wheels for starts and cornering, but only driving the front wheels during cruising, ensuring greater fuel economy and a more comfortable ride.
Key Technology Evaluation
For just $1,000, you can’t go wrong with the cost-effective Premium Package, which adds amenities such as Bose audio, XM satellite radio and a rearview camera, all of which are managed by a 7-inch color display mounted atop the center console. Navigation isn’t included however, and comes at an $1,850 premium. Nissan also offers a $1,600 DVD system, which features a fold-down 9-inch screen with remote and wireless headphones. We’d recommend both the DVD and nav systems if you plan on taking lengthy road trips.
Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage
Unlike its smaller sibling, Rogue, the Murano’s CVT transmission doesn’t net too much of a fuel economy advantage over the competition. The 3.5-liter ULEV V-6 remains thirsty despite the frugal drivetrain, and while the figures are in line with the six-cylinder competition at 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, hybrids such as the Saturn Vue Green Line obviously have it beat with 32 mpg highway.
A Closer Look: Vehicle Details
Interior
The interior of the Murano is spacious but not overly so, with plenty of extra legroom in the back seats. The car uses a start/stop button for the ignition, which is a nice technological touch, but unlike most models, it requires the key fob to be placed in the dash before it will start. The color display on top of the center stack adds a nice touch and keeps the drivers attention near the road.
Exterior The Murano received a facelift for 2009, but most will recognize it as just a few subtle nips and tucks – which is a good thing, as the old design was both attractive and edgy. The hood and windshield blend together a bit more, there’s a new front grille and the headlights have lost their yellow corner markers. The front and rear fenders have a slight flare to them, adding a hint of
350Z flair to the package.
Market Segment and Pricing Prices start reasonably with the Murano S carrying an MSRP of $26,870 and the Murano SL at $28,420, but the LE model jumps up to a staggering $36,450. We’d consider key competitors in the mid-size crossover segment to include the $26,995
Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid, $25,970
Hyundai Santa Fe, $25,450
Mazda CX-7 and Kia’s all new
Borrego, which starts at $26,245.
What We Think
The Murano comes across as one of the best models in its class, combining versatility with high build quality and a comfortable ride all at an attractive price. We like the fact that the Murano has three distinctive trim levels, which offer a variety of luxury and versatility in either front- or all-wheel-drive guise. The Murano isn’t the cheapest model in its class, but considering how much you get for the money, we’d say it’s worth the extra cost.