Leading In Design: 2015 Nissan Murano

Count me as a (new) Nissan fan-boy, but when the new design for the Murano was announced, I could not wait to get my hands on it. Not only was it the first new SUV to really draw my eye, but I felt it truly represented the new design language for Nissan fantastically.

The most compelling argument in favor of choosing the 2015 Nissan Murano over any of its rivals is its sleek appearance. No other vehicle in its class comes close to it and it makes one wonder how did Nissan design such a good looking crossover and still make the interesting Juke? But that’s debatable, and after all, it comes down to personal preferences.

The 2015 Nissan Murano is a very pretty car. A pair of sharp headlamps that extend into the front hood and fenders frames the eye catching chrome grille with black surrounding elements. The front bumper design is smooth and fits excellent with the flowing lines that characterize the body of the car, while sinuous, wave-like curves streak their way towards the rear of the vehicle, accentuating the outlandish floating roof. The rear lights mirror the design of the front ones, while the exhaust duo underlines the sporty character of the crossover.

Underneath the hood, a 3.5 liter V6 engine, pumping 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque is in charge of powering the vehicle, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds and reach a (electronically limited) top speed of 119 miles per hour. While it might not be the newest propulsion unit from Nissan, it does its job in a more than decent manner. The Murano can be configured with either two or four wheel drive, but the only transmission option is a CVT, with a manual shifting mode. More refined than the unit present in the previous iteration of the car, the transmission senses much faster when gear shifting is needed and provides a better driving experience.

The Murano does not employ a third row solution, so only five adults will be able to fit inside, but ample space is available. Moreover, the second row passengers will enjoy an extra 2.5 inches of space at knee level, a much welcomed change that will most definitely be appreciated by the occupants. Boot space measures 1.132 liters – more than adequate and also better than some of its rivals, among which we mention the VW Tiguan.

Well thought out, the dashboard and center console layout is very ergonomic. The center console mirrors the design of the front chromed grille, a surprising yet pleasing visual design cue that is bound to be a stand out feature. Chose the Platinum, top of the range trim, in either a light or full black configuration and whomever enters the vehicle will most definitely be impressed by the excellent combination of leather and aluminium trim, contrasting with the fine leather.

What can I say other than this mid-size SUV stood out in every way for me, from the cargo space to ride comfort. Were I to head to the dealers today, it would be a hard arguement to not get me into the driver’s seat, and with Nissan’s ever improving quality, I would be confident in at least 10 years and thousands of miles out of the ride. I do hope to see a few more options in to future bringing in city-diesel options, but that is always a long shot and big wish. I would settle for a GT-R powered one though.