MM Full-Review: 2015 Nissan Murano
#31
Lexus Champion
The Pathfinder USED to be an off-road type vehicle, waffling between body on frame and unibody structures from generation to generation. But the current Pathfinder is nowhere near something anyone would call "off-road oriented" and is very much in line with Highlander, Pilot, Traverse, Explorer, etc. Pathfinder has essentially squeezed out the Quest minivan in the Nissan lineup. Like the GM Lambda Crossovers
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
this is more like it (pathfinders need not apply )
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-26-15 at 12:12 PM.
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
briefly sat in one earlier this week, and thought it has great seats and some nice touches but the back was much smaller than i thought. i was hitting my head on the liner, and i'm only 6' ft. also for bragging about cargo room my outback has much more cuft. also noticed the headliner on the drivers side was flawed to the point i wouldn't even except the car if i was looking to buy.
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.
#34
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Subjective, of course. But, yes, most of us, including me, would probably agree it is, overall, an improvement over its predecessors. I don't find the new rear end, though, very impressive. Like some other newer SUVs (not all by any means), it trades some function (utility and outward visibility) for form (styling).
It's certainly not a Maxima, but Muranos, like other car-based SUVs, do come from sedan roots.....in this case, the Altima. But it does not drive like a typical mid-sized sedan. The steering is rather numb, response is slow, the body rolls with sharp steering input, and the front end plows. But, if you have a weak back or legs (I'm assuming you don't), it's easier to get in and out of than an Altima.
If you are looking for a driver-oriented SUV that drives and handles a little more like a good sport-oriented sedan, you might want to check out the Mazda CX-5 and the smaller, upcoming CX-3.
It's certainly not a Maxima, but Muranos, like other car-based SUVs, do come from sedan roots.....in this case, the Altima. But it does not drive like a typical mid-sized sedan. The steering is rather numb, response is slow, the body rolls with sharp steering input, and the front end plows. But, if you have a weak back or legs (I'm assuming you don't), it's easier to get in and out of than an Altima.
If you are looking for a driver-oriented SUV that drives and handles a little more like a good sport-oriented sedan, you might want to check out the Mazda CX-5 and the smaller, upcoming CX-3.
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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 RX350, 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 RX350.
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!
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-26-15 at 12:54 PM.
#36
Lead Lap
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....
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....
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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).
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.
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.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-26-15 at 01:36 PM.
#38
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
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).
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).
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!
#39
Lexus Champion
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 =)
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 =)
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by 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. =)
Nissan is really advocating it along with Subaru and their Lineartronic CVT. =)
The shift of Murano production from Nissan Shatai in Kyushu, Japan to Mississippi, USA is an interesting one.
#41
Lead Lap
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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.
#43
Lexus Test Driver
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.
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.
#44
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#45
Lexus Champion
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
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