One
of the numerous new crossover vehicles offered to today's SUV shopper is the all-new,
funky Nissan Murano. Named after the famous glassware (and strangely not the Italian
island after which the glassware itself is named) the Murano has an undeniable
sculptural quality - one that seems to have grown on those of us here at RTM (some
of whom weren't too sure about it when it was first introduced). And being a crossover
also bestows it with car-like driving characteristics, in contrast to the truck-based
Pathfinder that Nissan sells to the more traditional SUV set. The
Murano's interior is no more conventional than the exterior. A long, minivan-like
dash top calls attention to just how steep the windshield is. That said, outward
visibility is excellent out front and to the side (rear visibility is limited
by that thick rear window pillar. As for the instrument panel itself, it's so
futuristic that it almost looks fake - which is is actually kind of cool, because
to operate the buttons almost feels like you're playing inside a space ship at
NASA, and the instruments look like stickers on a piece of cardboard. It's an
animated and lively environment that the cartoon set will find very stimulating
(and yes, that includes us). Fortunately, the mechanicals are sound and
strong. The standard 240-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (mated to a continuously variable transmission)
provides effortless power, whether it is equipped with front- or four-wheel drive.
Skid control and traction control are the save-your-ass technologies that Nissan
makes available on Murano as options, while it provides six air bags standard.
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