Nissaon Murano Advice - Paging Cirquerider

[Below Zero]

Anyone have the inside info on the Nissan Murano? The GF is thinking about picking one up. I didn't know this was an AWD vehicle.

It's kind of nice because it is a FWD vehicle until it detects slippage then puts itself into AWD. Sounds pretty nice. Then there is a lock for AWD.

I don't mind the styling of this vehicle, but I don't really like the interior.

Anyway, Cirquerider and others, thoughts?

[Cirquerider]

The AWD on the vehicle is subtle. You will not realize it has kicked in. Below 20 MPH you can use the AWD lock, but that feature is just for low speeds in parking lots and up steep windy grades. The best flavor of the vehicle is the SE version with the VDC (vehicle dynamic control) package. The VDC applies power and breaking to keep the vehilce true in a fly-by-wire kind of way. When the AWD is not needed, this is a front drive car. It does not pitch and roll like most higher clearance vehicles, and its a great cruiser.

Your complaint about the interior is not my experience. This is one of the few crossover SUVs that doesn't try to be a Suburban. There are 2 rows of seats, with decent cargo space and lots of space for the rear passengers. The rear seats actually recline. Hate when your girlfriend crams the seat too far forward? Short people can sit farther back in this car becaue the pedals move. Xenon lights are great, and they are adjustible with a control to raise and lower the beam cutoff.

This is not by any stretch a 4X4. You want off-road, get the Xterra. What this car does well is road trips and chain control fly-bys. Very well mannered in curves and bumps it does not experience wheel skipping in bumpy fast curves, so it holds a nice line with minimal body roll. Decent power, you won't worry about passing. The ride is stiffer than most SUVs. It is also a great cruiser. I get 18 to 24 MPG depending on how I drive it. I got up to 26 mpg across Nevada and Utah once, but I wouldn't count on that. Its rated to tow 3500 lbs. I have towed a light catamaran, so not much of a test, but it behaves well.

[Below Zero]

Thanks for the review, CirqueRider. AWD only under 20 mph - it's funny how the salesman doesn't tell you that.

[Cirquerider]

Its AWD as requested by the computer at any time, but basically if you have traction, its FWD. The lock-up is only for low speeds which is where you would need it. Lots of discussion here says FWD makes sense for the majority of driving; and its true. This car gives you AWD only when you need it. The vehilce practiaclly never spins wheels, so the system works. OTOH, I have gotten stuck using a Subie by high centering or losing traction in one wheel front and rear. AS a result, I no longer take a running start at snow berms in the parking lots. Guess I got spoiled by the REAL 4X4s

[P_McPoser]

I rode in / drove a friends, and I can attest that I was really impressed with the speed of that thing. Pretty sporty for an "suv."
That's all I really have to offer other than I thought it was just as comfy/spacious as my crew cab f-150 on long drives. Put you to sleep comfortable! No experience with teh AWD because it was sunny and dry out.

[mnflyfish]

My mother in law has one and she really likes it. I've driven it a few times and it's surprisingly comfortable for me, and I'm 6'4". It has pretty decent pickup and once you get over the kind of goofy interior, it's a pretty nice ride.

Good Luck,
Jay

[babel]

Forgive my Auto-Jongness but I have a tangential question about the murano's CVT. Well really CVT's in general. Can you use engine braking with a CVT? How does that work?

[fez]

drove a murano rental on a ski trip with my dad from bozeman to targhee to slc then beaver on the way back. I really liked the car, fast as hell, great for putting down the miles very comfortable and fun to drive. and all sorts of buttons to play with. we never saw any weather so no need for awd.

[Cirquerider]

Forgive my Auto-Jongness but I have a tangential question about the murano's CVT. Well really CVT's in general. Can you use engine braking with a CVT? How does that work?

Murano has a sport shift that lets you select from 6 "gears". The computer automatically senses steep down hills and prevents excessive gravity induced acceleration automatically, or you can choose a "gear". Gears are really just a designated position on the CVT tranny. You can actully lug the engine if you forget to shift while in the manual mode. This lets you down-shift and get that feeling you are actually driving. In reality, the computer is so damn smart, you soon realize manual mode is futile. There is something about driving a car that is smarter than the driver that truely sucks. On the other hand, the wife doesn't say "why did you do that" quite so often.

BTW, this engine only turns 2200 RPM at 80 MPH unless you downshift or request more power for passing or grades. Going into the mountains, the RPMs increase as needed to provide power, but there is no perceptible gear shift. For maximum accelleration the engine turns at 4500-5500 RPM but again, no downshift is apparent, you just move into the high power band for maximum performance while the CVT moves into a lower ratio to maximize output. It takes some getting used to.

[blur]

Bought new in Feb 2003, SL AWD with evry option available have put 89,000 miles on it. I put 4 snow tire on in the winter, drive over AP GAP in vermont. one of the higher passes in vt Sat & Sun, every weekend from Mid Nov to Mid march to Madriver & Sugarbush. Almost always snow covered.

I had two reairs that I consider that should not of happend. FRont wheel bearing & I had to replace Radiator other than that gas, oil & one set of breaks @ 70k.

Vehicle has plenty of power and still handles good with avg 23 mpg on my normal drive, highway cruze at 75-80 and avg 26 mpg.

We love the vehicle and would highl recomend it. We just recently need to replace my wifes vehicle and were going to add a second murano but we got sucked into a deal on a loade Suaru Trbeca B9 totaly loaded, MSRP $37k out the door for $29k. ENgine/Transmition just is not there.

I wish bought another Murano.

[Big E]

PM snow_slider, he's got a Duracell copper-top model methinks.

[The AD]

Check out the Mazda Cx-7, too, it's somewhat similar to the Murano and cheaper.