2009 Murano not a leap, but lots of upgrades

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Scottsdale, Ariz.–The unlikely occurrence of overcast skies, heavy rain, and foggy conditions in this typically dry and arid area must have seemed a disaster for Nissan.

It certainly made photography difficult, with Scottsdale's reputedly fantastic scenery shrouded in mist.

So much for the automaker showing off its new Murano in a favourable light.

Yet there's a silver lining to every (rain) cloud – the poorly drained roads, made extra slick by rain on top of oil and grime accumulation, proved the downfall of at least half a dozen local vehicles along our drive loop, but did little to upset the composure of the 2009 Muranos, which were paradigms of good behaviour.

The lousy conditions highlighted the goodness of Nissan's new D platform and the Murano's improved all-wheel drive and stability systems, the latter never noticeably intervening, even when the vehicle encountered a large patch of water on the interstate.

This is the second generation of what was a groundbreaking design when it arrived in 2003 as a 2004 model.

A crossover based on the then-new Altima sedan, Murano version 1.0 was an oddball mix of car and SUV styling cues that hit the mark.

The look was aggressive and modern in a sea of boxy pseudo-SUV themed models.

Nissan made no pretense about it; this was a premium urban adventure vehicle, with on-road-oriented ride and handling as its priorities. Those seeking off-road cred or SUV capabilities could always buy the Xterra or Pathfinder. In Europe, the Murano sits above the Maxima as Nissan's luxury flagship.

The risk involved in revising a vehicle like this is that the sequel will lack the original's, well, originality.

Nissan played it safer this time, calling it a "super evolution." It's less of a leap, but it remains faithful to the original Murano's concept of being a modern, athletic multi-tasker.

The most obvious improvement is the interior, whether the base S model, mid-level SL or top-of-the-line LE. Satin metal-look or wood-grain trims are available, and there's a choice of dark charcoal or beige interiors.

The gauges, with their backlit white characters on titanium faces, look nice, but become difficult to read in certain light, a situation underscored by the twilight-like darkness that accompanied portions of my time behind the wheel.

Ceiling-mounted ambient lighting for both rows is a nice touch, and you won't lack for storage space, with a large glovebox, two-level centre console bin, and a pull-out drawer for the rear seats in the bottom of the centre console. Built into the cargo floor is a flip-up divider that can corral several grocery bags or the like.

Where the previous Murano had handles in the sides of the cargo area to release the split/folding rear seat, the new one adds the availability of a power button.

All Muranos gain a larger in-dash info screen and improved secondary controls. Options include rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera, rear-seat DVD video, XM Radio, Bluetooth, nav with a built-in 9.3 GB audio storage, direct iPod interface, voice recognition controls and heating for both rows of seats.

The Murano's 3.5 L version of the company's ubiquitous "VQ" V6, mated to a CVT and all-wheel drive remains, but revisions have been made. The excellent V6 gains 4 lb.-ft. of torque (to 248) and a respectable 25 hp (now 265), while fuel economy somehow improves in the process.

Nissan claims the fuel-efficiency betters several of the Murano's intended '08 competitors, such as the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX and Lexus RX 350. (In fairness, all but the Lexus offer a third row of seats; the Murano does not.) Premium fuel is recommended but not required.

The CVT receives substantial enough software and hardware upgrades for Nissan to consider it "second-generation." Ratio changes are said to occur 30 per cent faster, and internal friction (a CVT bugaboo) is down 20 per cent. In practice, this CVT works very well; quick to provide a downshift for overtaking, and more conventional feeling in normal driving than many transmissions of this genre.

The Murano's electronic AWD is now tied in with the stability system, sharing the new Rogue's "yaw rate moment control" (yaw is rotation on a central axis, or "spin").

A new "Twin Orifice" hydraulic power steering system provides good feel, and the re-engineered suspension offers a good ride/handling compromise.

Dimensionally unchanged, only the car savvy will pick out the new Murano in profile.

The new version becomes more apparent from the front and rear. The outgoing model's distinctive, Z-like lamps are gone, replaced by Rogue-like taillamps and an unusual scowling grille/multi-element headlamp treatment that looks better in person.

This 2009 model goes on sale early next month.

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