2006 Nissan Murano SL AWD Road Test

The Altima Wagon

In the never-ending struggle to bring something new to the table, or market in our case, car builders are becoming craftier by the year. The Crossover craze really showed its teeth at the 2006 Detroit auto show. It

2006 Nissan Murano (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

was clear then that everyone needed one of these to complete their line-up. Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Subaru, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, to name a few, have recently or will be launching a new crossover.

One of the mixed SUV-minivan-station wagons is the Nissan Murano. In fact, bearing in mind that it has been available since 2003, it could be considered one of the originals. The merger between Nissan and Renault gave life to the Japanese maker especially in the design department. Such hits as the 2002 Altima saved Nissan from harder financial from whence they came. The Murano fits between the Xterra and Pathfinder in Nissan's ever expanding SUV line.

Pricing starts at $38,998 for the FWD SL model and climbs to $48,598 for the SE. I tested an AWD SL and it retails for $42,123.

Styling

If there ever was a styled utility vehicle, it would be the Murano and its high-end SUV counterparts, Infiniti's FX 35 and 45. The Murano is chiselled, sculpted and sleek. The best angles are perhaps ¾ front or rear. The high beltline that drops to both front and rear overhangs is clearly visible as are the fashionable

2006 Nissan Murano (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

head and tail lamps that have been reviewed for 2006. The front grille is the only part of the truck that does nothing for me; I find that it improperly separates the budging hood from the bumper and that it melts into the headlights without accenting them.

The Murano's stance is muscular and pleasing. The standard 18" wheels see to that and the blended wheel arches are just visible enough to capture the attention. Completing the look are dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes and standard front fog lights.

The stylised theme carries into the cabin of the Murano. The dashboard is intriguing and very functional. My favourite part is the center-stack and the way it protrudes out of the dash. It ensures that all climate and audio controls are within easy reach. The floor console is packed with storage spots, including a very deep one below the sliding center armrest and a perfectly shaped cell-phone holder for flip-phones. The large space ahead of the dashboard is mostly wasted however a map or a box of Kleenex

2006 Nissan Murano (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

could be stored here without obstructing the view. I am typically unsatisfied with the quality of Nissan's plastic but I must say that those found in the Murano are quite nice.

The seats, another grievance that I usually have with Nissan products, are fairly comfortable. They are large but still provide a sufficient amount of support. The driving position is somewhat awkward as the seat does not go low enough and the steering wheel is not telescoping. Otherwise, passenger room is impressively generous. Everyone will find plenty of room for their legs, arms and heads. The trunk is also well appointed and features many tie-down hooks and a few storage bins.