ML, Q7 and X5 – ubiquitous German SUVs as common as boerewors at a braai. So who’s bringing something special to the party? There’s always one isn’t there?! In this case it’s Nissan with their new Murano SUV. First introduced in South Africa in 2004, the Murano met a warm welcome and was included as a contender for the 2005 SA Car of The Year. Times have changed however and now almost every manufacturer offers an SUV, whether compact, mid-sized or just plain gigantic.

Interior
Although not quite gigantic inside, the leather trimmed interior of the Murano boasts more than enough head and legroom for just about all shapes and sizes of people. Rear legroom is impressive and rear passengers benefit from adjustable back rests, which, incidentally can fold down in a 60/40 split and be returned to the upright position at the touch of a button, thanks to electric motors hidden beneath the seats. Cargo space is 402-litres, expandable to 838-litres with rear seats folded down. The driver and front passenger seats are very comfortable and feature conveniences such as electrically adjustable lumbar support, position and heating. In fact, electronics are an important part of the Murano’s luxury appeal. The driver instrument cluster is clear and aesthetically pleasing, with chrome dial surrounds and a warm ambient glow adding to the upmarket appeal of the Murano.

Standard equipment includes, an 11-speaker Bose sound system with 6-disc CD changer; Bluetooth connectivity; Voice command system for the sound system and telephone; Keyless entry and drive; Rear and left-hand-side cameras for parking assistance; Electronically operated tailgate; and multi-function steering wheel for functions such as cruise control, voice command, sound and telephone. And it’s not just the gadgets that make the Murano a luxurious SUV. The car offers an impressively quiet ride. Even at highway speeds or over coarse tarmac, the wind or tyre noise is never intrusive, in fact, it’s conspicuous in its absence.

Part of the secret of the Murano’s success in this area has been the addition of a newly developed suspension, which enhances vehicle stability while also providing a more comfortable ride than the previous generation. Front and rear mounting points have also been specially strengthened to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted to the interior and further improve body stability. In addition special sound-absorbing materials have been added throughout the body, effectively reducing or blocking outside noises, while new floor carpeting reduces wind noise significantly. The Murano boasts a well insulated and polished cabin.

Exterior
The Nissan Murano’s styling challenges the conventional. The strong Murano DNA has been continued in this new generation, despite not a single body panel having been carried-over from the first Murano. The steeply raked design from the front bumper to the end of the A-pillar sets the Murano apart from most other SUV’s roaming the urban jungle. The High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-Xenon front headlights, which work very well at night, integrate with the front grille to give the Murano a futuristic and unique face. Towards the rear, the up-swept rear window contrasts with the opposing angle of the rear C-pillar profile and tail-light edges. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels are standard and fill the defined wheel arches. The Murano’s styling will inevitably appeal to some, while alienating others, however, we have not yet driven an SUV that received as many looks or comments during our time with the car.

The Drive
The first generation Murano was heralded by Nissan as having “the heart of a sports car, in the stylish and sophisticated form of a premium SUV”. And while we can’t argue with this statement, it is clear that the Murano’s nature is more sophisticated and premium than sports car. Part of the reason why we say this, is because the high seating position gives the feeling of sitting on the car, rather than in the car. When travelling at speed, the sensation of sitting high up with the car below you, results in you backing off the throttle when approaching some corners. After entering the turn, bodyroll is not as pronounced as one might expect, thanks to the newly developed suspension we mention earlier with its four-wheel built-in rebound springs. With permanent four-wheel drive, the Murano offers positive levels of grip and with Nissan’s ‘Intelligent All-Mode 4×4′ drivetrain, torque can be distributed on demand to where it’s needed. Under normal driving conditions much of the torque is sent to the front wheels, with up to 50 percent being channelled to the rear wheels when needed. The driver can lock the drive to all wheels in particularly challenging conditions by flicking a switch on the central console, with a torque split ratio at 50/50 front to rear.

The new Murano also features a new speed-sensitive power steering system that tightens as speed increases, however, the steering itself provides no feel to speak of and is somewhat over assisted. However, the new Murano is an enjoyable SUV to drive. The light steering makes it easy to drive in town and the luxurious and insulated interior is a relaxing and comfortable place to be. But perhaps the biggest single contributor to these characteristics is the X-Tronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Performance
The latest incarnation of Nissan’s X-Tronic transmission operates with 20% less internal friction than earlier examples and, coupled with the updated gearbox software, is responsible for harnessing peak torque from the engine during hard acceleration, rather than peak power. This means torque is delivered in a linear fashion making acceleration brisk and uninterrupted. At the heart of the new 2 380 kg Murano, lies a more advanced version of the proven 3,5-litre V6 petrol engine. Developing 191 kW and peak torque of 336 Nm at 4 400 rpm, the Murano sprints from 0-100 km/h in 8 seconds (0.9 seconds quicker than before) and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. Thanks also to the new transmission, the updated V6 offers improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Nissan claim an EU combined-cycle figure of 10.9 l/100km (1.1 l/100km less than before) with CO2 emissions at 261 g/km. The Murano cruises effortlessly and will comfortably cover long distances without complaint. Although equipped with a four-wheel-drive drivetrain, the Murano, like most SUV’s, is limited to how far off the beaten track it can venture. However, most owners will be more than satisfied with the Murano’s abilities on the school run, game drives, launching their boat at the dam or simply exploring some of our country’s dirt roads.

What we like…

• Interior refinement, space and comfort levels.
• Smooth and uninterrupted acceleration from the X-Tronic CVT gearbox.
• Comprehensive equipment levels as standard.

What we would like…

• A single alert when using the power-assisted tailgate – the continuous beeping is a bit much.
• A stereo jack and/or USB port for an external MP3 player.
• Park-distance control in front, as the front bumper extends surreptitiously beyond the bonnet.