2009 Nissan Murano

Introduced in 2003, the Nissan Murano has been a success story for the company. One of the better crossover SUV’s from back when that terminology was just coming into common usage, the Murano was due for an update. The 2009 Nissan Murano was released in order to answer the call of competing in a crossover marketplace that is a lot more crowded now than when the vehicle was initially introduced.

From the outside, the new Murano does not differ greatly from the vehicle it is replacing. The same general dimensions are retained, with a slightly more muscular look and a more prominent, chrome-filled front grille. LED tail lamps are new for the rear and are placed vertically on the trailing edge of the fenders, in place of the triangular horizontal wedges of old. A glass skylight acts as a second sunroof for rear passengers, and a larger rear window is integrated into the hatch. 19-inch wheels are standard, while 20’s are available as an option.

Once again, the Nissan VQ 3.5 liter V6 engine is found pulling duty under the hood of the Murano, and for this crossover it makes 265 horsepower and 246 lb-feet of torque. Power is routed through a continuously variable transmission, and the lack of shifting can be eerie to those who are not familiar with this type of setup. The Murano is not a performance vehicle, but these numbers are more than enough to haul around your family or half a kindergarten class. There are three trim levels for the Murano, and while two are front-wheel drive, the LE is available with all-wheel drive. This all-wheel drive system is computer controlled and integrates with the vehicle’s yaw, wheel-slip and steering angle sensors to shuttle power to the wheels which need it most based on driving conditions. During normal driving, almost all of the engine’s power is directed to the front wheels. Traction control is also available.

The top of the line Murano offers a number of upgrades over the previous generation, with an extensive hard-drive based entertainment system that lets you connect your MP3 player, touch screen navigation, and more practical accessories such as a power lift gate in the rear and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The entertainment system can even be voice controlled, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel instead of fiddling with radio knobs. Heated seats and a dual-panel glass roof are a nice touch, and so is the deep in-floor trunk behind the rear seat. The Murano does not offer third-row seating, but it does have a number of safety systems such as a tire pressure monitoring system and six airbags.

The vehicle is based on the same platform that underpins the Nissan Altima and the Nissan Maxima. However, despite this very car-oriented origin, the fuel mileage in the 2009 Nissan Murano is far from spectacular. At 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, the Murano is putting up numbers that are matched by larger, more truck-like vehicles. The relationship to these sedans is better enjoyed with the pleasing driving dynamics that see the crossover driving more like a car instead of lumbering around like an SUV.

The Murano remains as appealing as it was when it first appear on the scene over 5 years ago. However, given that it now faces stiff competition from almost every other car maker, the lack of significant improvement means that it is difficult to recommend the 2009 Nissan Murano over any of the other similar vehicles out there. This updated version will likely find repeat Murano buyers happy with their purchase, but it is well worth it to shop around and investigate some of the better alternatives.






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June 25, 2008, 9:08 am