All-new '09 Murano crossover in Nissan showrooms

May 9, 2008

By Connie Keane Motor Matters

Nissan boasts the all-new 2009 Murano is in "super evolution" mode. Murano is built ahead of its time, ready to take drivers to the next level in crossovers.

One of the striking changes with the 2009 Murano is how much the front-end design conveys the appearance of luxury. The first-generation Murano, originally introduced in 2003, was sporty and cute. The second-generation is slightly more sophisticated in styling cues that look richer. It seems that the designers invested attention in its importance.

The hood looks longer and elegant; the cute ute look is out. The hood sweeps into full and sculpted bodylines. There is a subtle curve the sweeps along the lower body, giving the Murano athletic toning.

The headlamps are not just lights, they are jewels. The headlights are wider and flashier with optional quad-cylinder style High Intensity Discharge lamps. The wheel arches are pronounced, providing visual focus for the 18-inch or 20-inch wheels.

My tester featured one of the newest trends in power-sliding glass roofs ... a skylight roof, which is a full-length glass top from the first to the second rows. The dual-panel sky roof is a $1,170 optional feature that provides an open air driving experience for all occupants while at the same time not compromising on headroom. The skylight roof creates an illusion of increased space.

Along with its new high-end look, the Murano keeps up with today's multi-tasker consumers who demand multi-media, multi-infotainment gadgets. The 2009 model has multiple advanced technology features.

The 2009 Murano has a standard Push Button Ignition with optional Intelligent Key, a RearView Monitor, a 9-inch screen DVD Mobile Entertainment System, optional 11-speaker Bose sound system, XM real time traffic and 9.3-gigabyte music box hard drive. This crossover is smartly outfitted to carry the Murano into its next five-year lifecycle while bound to keep pace with evolving consumer preferences in convenience and entertainment technologies.

This Murano is very different from the first-generation CUV. The 2009 model is built on the new D-platform, first introduced on the popular Altima sedan in 2007. Nissan's solid foundation D-platform has lighter suspension components with increased stiffness. The steering is also new and state-of-the-art for the precise handling feel that most drivers prefer.

The Murano gets its motive from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated to produce 265 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy ratings on this midsize crossover utility vehicle are 18 miles per gallon city and 23 mpg highway. Nissan recommends premium gasoline in the vehicle's 22-gallon fuel tank.

The 2009 Murano comes with a Continuously Variable Transmission. An idiosyncrasy of the CVT that I had to get used to compared against a conventional automatic transmission was the gear selector holding patterns.

When I was sitting idle in drive on an incline, the Murano kept rolling back when I took my foot off the brake. Usually with a regular automatic, the engine's drive gear holds the vehicle in place on an incline when the foot is removed from the brake. The CVT is a different transmission and just takes a little getting used to.

The 2009 Murano is offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations in S, SL trims, plus the LE AWD trim. Pricing for the 2009 model lineup starts at $26,330 for the front-wheel drive S and ranges up to a starting price of $35,910 for the all-wheel drive LE Murano.