After a ride and drive event where I was able to spend the better part of an afternoon on highways and twisting mountain roads behind the wheel of an almost fully-loaded SE, and a hectic week filled with birthdays, sports activities, school runs, and just basically life in a relatively bare-bones SL, I'm sold. My wife Jennifer, the critic of car critics, rates the Murano as the best vehicle she's driven all year - and that's a lot for a Volvo devotee to say after recently spending a week with the extremely well sorted XC90.
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| The Murano not only lived up to all the talk, it surpassed all expectations. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
The case is now closed, the Murano is back in the hands of Nissan's zone office and it has not only lived up to a year-and-half's press releases, onslaught of marketing spin and auto industry pundit ballyhooing, but surpassed all expectations. So when you see someone smiling behind the wheel of Nissan's stylish new SUV you'll know it's not just a stiff upper lip to keep from losing face, they've actually got good reason.
Specifications:
- Price Range (MSRP):$39,500 - $49,900
- Body Type: 5-door SUV, unibody
- Layout: front engine, FWD (opt AWD)
- Engine: 245 hp, 246 lb-ft torque, 3.5-L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
- Transmission: variable (CVT)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, BA, EBD
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Cargo Volume (seats up/down): 923 - 2,311 L (32.6 - 81.6 cu ft)
- Curb Weight: 1,724 - 1,796 kg (3,801 - 3,960 lb)
- Ground Clearance: 178 mm (7.0 in)
- Towing Capacity: 1,588 kg (3,500 lb)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 11.8 / 9.4 L/100 km (20 / 25 mpg)
- Fuel Type: unleaded premium
- Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
- Direct Competitors: Buick Rendezvous, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Pontiac Aztek, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC90
- Web Site: www.nissan.ca
