The Allusion of Performance.  This is what the average consumer wants.  They want an exciting ‘looking’ vehicle without all the sacrifices an actual performance vehicle gives you.  Like noise, comfort, practicality, efficiency, cost and wear/tire items.  That’s the overall concept behind the 2016 Murano.  All the style without the sacrifice.

Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano

The interior is akin to a nouveau Vegas hotel.  It’s shod full of modern materials, fancy wood/metallic trim and a set of absurdly comfortable seats.  There is plenty of room in the second row and the cargo area is huge.  Our only interior qualm was with the height of the hood.  We like sitting low and with the aggressive design of the hood, it caused headaches when trying to find the apex of a corner.  But in most cases the average motoring consumer is going to raise the seat to the ceiling anyway…so problem solved.

Since the introduction of the third-generation design for the last model year, the Nissan Murano has experienced record sales Ð up 30 percent through the first 11 months of calendar year 2015 Ð thanks to its concept car-like styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. For 2016, Murano remains virtually unchanged. Like the original Murano, the latest version is a highly sculptural, highly emotional design Ð one that stands out in a field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling. Working to capture the breathtaking spirit and artistry of the first Murano, the designers began by concentrating on the vehicleÕs sculptural qualities. Breaking the usual order of sketching, computer renderings and then clay modeling, the Murano team started working with small three-dimensional clay forms Ð literally exploring organic shapes and volumes with mini desktop sculptures. The process helped narrow down a new Nissan design direction focused on lightness and efficiency.

Since the introduction of the third-generation design for the last model year, the Nissan Murano has experienced record sales Ð up 30 percent through the first 11 months of calendar year 2015 Ð thanks to its concept car-like styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. For 2016, Murano remains virtually unchanged. Like the original Murano, the latest version is a highly sculptural, highly emotional design Ð one that stands out in a field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling. Working to capture the breathtaking spirit and artistry of the first Murano, the designers began by concentrating on the vehicleÕs sculptural qualities. Breaking the usual order of sketching, computer renderings and then clay modeling, the Murano team started working with small three-dimensional clay forms Ð literally exploring organic shapes and volumes with mini desktop sculptures. The process helped narrow down a new Nissan design direction focused on lightness and efficiency.

Since the introduction of the third-generation design for the last model year, the Nissan Murano has experienced record sales Ð up 30 percent through the first 11 months of calendar year 2015 Ð thanks to its concept car-like styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. For 2016, Murano remains virtually unchanged. Like the original Murano, the latest version is a highly sculptural, highly emotional design Ð one that stands out in a field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling. Working to capture the breathtaking spirit and artistry of the first Murano, the designers began by concentrating on the vehicleÕs sculptural qualities. Breaking the usual order of sketching, computer renderings and then clay modeling, the Murano team started working with small three-dimensional clay forms Ð literally exploring organic shapes and volumes with mini desktop sculptures. The process helped narrow down a new Nissan design direction focused on lightness and efficiency.

Most reviews of the Murano start with the mocking of the CVT.  Yes we all know CVTs suck any enjoyment from a vehicle.  This one is slightly different though.  Nissan has tuned the engine and transmission in such a way that it ‘shifts’.  So instead of one continuous groan, it will ‘shift’ down a few thousand RPM to mimic a traditional auto, while keeping the smoothness of a CVT intact.  It’s extremely subtle, as it should be, but it stops the jarring sensation when trying to acclimate to a CVT. We were also never at a loss of power and since this vehicle is tuned for efficiency, we were getting 27 mpg on the highway and 22 in the city!

Nissan Murano Wheel

The average consumer also wants a composed ride that will isolate them from the outside world.  They want a steering wheel that takes minimal effort, not really designed to attack your nearest mountain pass but to attack your nearest parking lot with gusto.  So saying that, will the Murano set your pants on fire in the twisties?  God no.  That’s not the buyer this is designed for.

For the average enthusiast, we want the poor man’s Cayenne.   The average consumer on the other hand, whose opinion and buying powers outweighs us, just wants a comfortable and efficient crossover with style.  This is who the Murano is designed for.  It’s a supremely comfortable, quiet, and efficient crossover. This vehicle is a rolling style statement and that’s not a bad thing.  In an ocean of bland and sedate crossovers, the Murano stands out because it’s not afraid to show off.

2015 Nissan Murano

ACT clutch