tex2670

I agree. Pathfinder is a crossover for families now.

mmarshall

With all those stop signs every block, that's anything BUT "odd" these days....just par for the course.


Hey.....for that matter, the way these Polar-Vortex winters have been tearing up pavement the last couple of years, that's what regular roads in many parts of the country are beginning to look like....again, par for the course

mmarshall

Your Outback has more cargo room behind the rear seat probably because of the traditional squared-off styling. Though often derided by those who think that a vehicle should look like a space-ship, it's hard to beat a box-shaped vehicle for space-efficiency.

On the head-clearance issue, though, I sat in the Murano with my 6' 2" frame and baseball cap and had no problems, front or rear, with headroom. Did you have the power front seat cushions adjusted down all the way? If not, that can sometimes make a big difference.

Orzel

iTrader: (1)

Hi Marshall, been a while since I contributed. Great review! Have always enjoyed your write-ups. My 09 Murano was great, and we made several 3k+ mile trips in it. Never had an issue. The new one is far and away a better looking vehicle IMHO. While still rare out here in the PNW, I did get a chance to sit in one, and was quite impressed (Platinum version). One thing the RX 350, the Highlander etc are not, as you mentioned, driver oriented vehicles. The Murano came a lot closer, hence why we bought one in lieu of the RX 350. While I somewhat agree with your assessment of the CX-5 and the CX-3, i.e. driver oriented, I would certainly add the Infiniti FX. It's really the hot rod of the SUV set, priced substantially lower than it's direct competitors (in performance) X5 twin turbo, and Cayenne S. We traded in our Mo, for an FX35 AWD, and while its a bit short on fuel mileage, the right foot, properly applied elicits a beautiful engine symphony, as well as push back in the seat acceleration. Wish Lexus would provide that in an SUV!

mmarshall

Thanks. Yes, it has been a while....welcome back.


In most cases, they do tend to be reliable. The 3.5L V6, if not the most powerful V6 on the market, is a well-proven engine. Nissan has had a lot of experience with it.

Nothing humble about your opinion...I welcome it.

Do you think that the Platinum version is worth the extra money over the lower-line ones? (or did you not get a chance to sit inside a lower-line one to compare?) I tested the Platinum version because that is what the person requesting the review specially wanted.

Though its overall ride-comfort did not seem quite as smooth as that of its sister ES350, one thing I really liked about the last RX I tested was its seamless, silky-smooth refined driverain. As with the LS460, had I not known there was an actual gas engine and conventional automatic transmission under the hood, it almost felt like you were being pushed along by a big, quiet unseen hand.

I hear you on the FX as a drivers' SUV, but I didn't specifically list it in this review as a competitor because it is clearly in a more expensive and upmarket class from the Murano. The CX-9 and CX-5 (probably more so than the smaller cheaper CX-3) are a lot closer to the Murano's price range (especially the lower-line Muranos) than the FX35. And the FX, IMO, is one of the quirkiest-looking SUVs in the American market.

Orzel

iTrader: (1)

LOL, quirky, an apt description, but I never lose mine in a parking lot. It's also that quirkiness that makes it so endearing to me. Well, OK, that and the performance. Given that a new Mo, in the platinum edition can reach about $45k, you are not all that far from the baseline (assuming you can find one) FX.

As far as the RX, having owned a couple, I have naught but good to say about them, but a drivers vehicle they are not. The F-Sport version comes a lot closer, but our 09 Mo (L) was far and away a better handling vehicle than the RX. Should Lexus up the HP, put some firmer suspension under the RX, I would certainly entertain one as the next vehicle. BTW, we are still in the Lexus family, as my wife absolutely loves her GS, now if sh'd only learn to feather the go pedal a little....

mmarshall

Lots of people simply depend on their key-fobs to find their cars in a lot. They just press the unlock button and look for the flashing lights.

I only used the term quirky because the first two generations, while a reliable and solid vehicle, had rather polarizing styling. Most people either liked it or they did not...little middle ground.

You could also, in the past, get a 4.5L or 5.0 V8 in the FX series....engines way out of the Murano's league. Unfortunately, that (V8) option seems to have been dropped from the FX series after it got the new QX70 designation (I couldn't find it listed any more).

Orzel

iTrader: (1)

There's also the alarm "panic button" which around here is also known as the "car finder button".

Polarizing is an apt descripion, but then I'm a bit quirky so the FX and I share some personality traits!

Was trying to have a closer comparison with the Mo, as well as the others in their class with V6's rather then the "Beast" FX450. I did have an opportunity to drive one of the V8 monsters, I will have to admit, while fun, I much prefer my V6 powered Bionic Cheetah. Handles better, less nose weight.

Nissan seems to be doing better, with nicer vehicles. I'm now going to be torn between whatever they come up with for the next generation Infiniti and what Lexus may do to the RX to give us a more sporty platform. Hey, even us Old Farts still like to be able to carve canyons!

Blackraven

One thing I like about Nissan is their heavy use and promotion of CVT.

Nissan is really advocating it along with Subaru and their Lineartronic CVT. =)

P.S.
The shift of Murano production from Nissan Shatai in Kyushu, Japan to Mississippi, USA is an interesting one.

My theory was that Nissan wanted to align Quest production with the Elgrand so they can optimize platform and assembly resources for it.

Either way, I hope quality is maintained =)

mmarshall

At one time, Nissan and Subaru got their CVTs from the same subcontractor. I'm not sure if that is the case any more.


It took several years to iron out the problems in that plant when they were building the full-size Armada/Titan/QX56. Let's hope that doesn't happen with the Murano.

TangoRed

The supplier you're speaking of is JATCO, who is owned by Nissan. Also Subaru never sourced their CVT's from them, just their conventional automatics.

mmarshall

When I had my Outback, the service manager told me that the CVTs also came from the same supplier. It's possible that he had the wrong info. I can't say either way.

Anyhow, IMO, Nissan, at least from my limited test-driving experience on their products, still has what are arguably the best-calibrated CVTs, regardless of where they come from.

sick21

I don't think I could ever get past owning a car with a CVT. Otherwise this thing looks fun! And you gotta love Nissan's interiors. They are usually very tasteful, very much so in this case IMO.

I've always preferred this size of crossover. We have two kids. We 'could' be those people that "gets away with a sedan for a family car but we chose this size of SUV instead due to our active lifestyle," kind of situation. Also like the Ford Edge, Jeep GC, Merc ML, Lex RX. I just favor those size of vehicles.

mmarshall

I guess it's hard to have an "Inactive" lifestyle when you are trying to raise two kids.

LexusNN

iTrader: (5)

Very nice review, well done and some nice info.

Speaking to the off road capability of the pathfinder, it handled itself tremendously in the snow these past couple weeks. The i-4WD was fantastic and never slipped, even from a full stop on the mountain.

My murano platinum was just ordered! I can't wait