Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano
Nissan
aka
Production	2003-Present
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body Style	Five door wagon
Length	187.6 in
Width	74.0 in
Height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	111.2 in
Weight	3,851-3,996 lbs
Transmission	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 6-speed manual mode
Engine	3.5 liter DOHC V6
Power	240 hp @ 5800 RPM 244 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM
Similar	Chrysler Pacifica Honda Pilot Kia Sorento Mazda CX-9 Toyota Highlander Volkswagen Touareg
Designer	Shiro Nakamura

The Nissan Murano is a near-luxury mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Nissan Motors which began retail sales in the 2003 model year, originally as the top-of-the-line SUV, which was larger than the Pathfinder, but the Armada took over from the Murano as the top SUV in the Nissan lineup for 2004. Designed at Nissan Design America in La Jolla, California, it is based on the Nissan FF-L platform used by the Maxima and the third-generation Altima. The Murano is currently slotted between the compact Xterra and mid-size Pathfinder models, since the Pathfinder surpassed the Murano in size for the 2005 model year. Currently, it is the only Nissan crossover SUV sold in the United States, where it became Nissan's best-selling SUV, knocking the Pathfinder off the top spot.

The Murano was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003. It was also named the best premium midsize SUV by AutoPacific. The vehicle itself is notable for being one of the largest vehicles available with a continuously variable transmission. Most luxuries expected in a car are standard kit in the Murano. The engine, a 3.5L 245-hp V6, comes straight out of the Nissan 350Z and is specially tuned for the Murano. The "All-Mode 4x4 with ESP+" is a form of traction control embedded into the car's onboard computer and is designed to provide 'joy' to drive. The car is available with 4-wheel drive and has 4-wheel independent suspension. A luxury feature of the car is a rear-view camera in addition to a rear-view mirror. A full set of airbags, steel reinforced cabin, and head restraints are safety features designed to protect the interior whilst ESP, ABS, EBD and brake assist are mechanical safety features.

See Autopedia's comprehensive Nissan Murano Review.

Recent Changes

• The 2010 LA Auto Show hosted the debut of the Murano CrossCabriolet. Essentially a Murano with only 2-doors and the top lopped off, it features AWD, Nissan's award-winning 3.5 litre V6 which makes 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, second-generation Xtronic CVT, 7.6 cubic feet of storage space that expands to 12.3 cubic feet with the top up, heated steering wheel, seat memory, Bose sound system, and a choice between a Camel-toned leather interior with a black top or a Cashmere interior with a brown top.[1]

• Following the European market Murano's facelift, the USDM version will also be getting its own variation on the freshened fascia. [2]

• For 2011, the Murano gets a significant mid-cycle front fascia facelift in order to accommodate the cooling needs of a new 2.5 litre diesel four-pot engine it will offer in Europe. This new mill is expected to account for over 90% of Murano sales in Europe. It produces 190 hp and 331.9 lb-ft of torque and returns 35.3mpg UK (8.0lt/100km or 29.4mpg US) economy in the combined cycle and 210g/km CO2 emissions. In the UK, the oil-burner will come equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, power tailgate and colour rear and kerbside cameras and a navigation system with 7" touch screen, HDD 9.3 Gb music server, ipod, Bluetooth and aux connectivity combined with premium 11 speaker BOSE system, fitted as standard. The 2.5 dCi starts at £37,795 OTR.

• The aging Nissan Murano is set to be replaced with an all-new generation at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17, 2007. Sales will start in the US Domestic Market during the First Quarter of 2008. As of November 10, however, possible images of the 2009 Murano have leaked into the internet. It is not yet confirmed if they are genuine but lack of evidence or clues to the contrary give them a good chance of being the real thing. [3][4]

Styles and Major Options

The Nissan Murano comes in 3 available trims (S, SE, and SL). Each trim comes standard with a 3.5 DOHC 24-valve V6 engine.

Murano S comes equipped with:

• 245-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Xtronic CVT (Continously Variable Transmission)
• 18" Aluminum-alloy wheels
• Dual-zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
• Information center with 7.0" monitor
• Power windows and door locks

The Murano SL adds on the following features to the S:

• 10-way power driver`s seat
• HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
• Fog lights
• Auto on/off headlights
• RearView Monitor

The Murano SE adds on the following features to the SL:

• All-Wheel Drive
• 18" Aluminum-alloy sport wheels
• Dark silver-color lower rear bumper
• 6-speed manual mode on CVT
• Sport-tuned suspension
• HID bi-xenon headlights

Pricing

Add more fields as necessary.

MODEL Trims (AWD +$1600)
S	SV	SL	LE
MSRP
$28,500	$31,910	$35,450	$37,540
Invoice
$Price1	$Price2	$Price3	$Price4

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Murano Trim
Front Wheel Drive Models	All Wheel Drive Models
MPG
20/25	19/24

Reliability

• RECALL ALERT: On March 10, 2008, Nissan issued a recall affecting 16,365 MY 2008 Infiniti EX35 and MY 2009 Nissan Murano vehicles due to incorrect software programming of the airbag control unit (ACU) which could result in the passenger airbag failing to deploy in a crash.[5]

• RECALL ALERT: On Oct 15 2008, Nissan issued a recall affecting 200,000 Nissans including all 2007 and 2008 Muranos due to a faulty front passenger side airbag sensor that could fail to detect the presence of a passenger, thus, preventing the deployment of the airbag. Owners are urged to contact 1-800-647-7261 or their nearest dealer to get the system replace free of charge. [6]

• RECALL ALERT: On May 21 2009, Nissan issued a recall alert affecting 362,891 MY 2003-2007 Nissan Muranos (first generation) due to the air intake ducts which may shrink and separate from the resonator, causing the engine to stall and, possibly, crash. Affected owners are urged to contact their Nissan service representative for a free inspection and/or repair or they can contact Nissan directly at 1-800-647-7261. This recall is filed under NHTSA Campaign ID number 09V169000. [7]

Safety

Safety features standard on the Nissan Murano include:

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor
• Driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental airbags
• Roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags for side-impact and rollover protection for front and rear-seat occupant head protection
• 3-point ALR/ELR front-passenger seat belt system (ELR for driver)
• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
• Active front-seat head restraints
• Three rear-seat head restraints
• LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
• Hood buckling creases
• Pipe-style steel side-door guard beams

Photos

Murano CrossCabriolet

Colors

Exterior

• Brilliant Silver Metallic
• Chardonnay
• Glacier Pearl
• Merlot Pearl
• Midnight Blue Pearl
• Platinum Pearl Metallic
• Sunset Red Pearl Metallic
• Super Black

Interior

• Cafe Latte
• Charcoal

Main Competitors

• Chrysler Pacifica
• Honda Pilot
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda CX-9
• Toyota Highlander
• Volkswagen Touareg

Interior

The Murano's cabin is among the nicest, most well-equipped interiors in Nissan's line-upand is more luxe than most of the other Nissan products. The Platinum trim wore soft leather on the seats, door panels, and armrests, with a sweeping dashboard design divided by a band of dark teak-wood trim. Both front-seat occupants should easily find a pleasant seating position in the heavily cushioned chairs. Rear-seat passengers are treated to a comfortable, reclining bench seat with plentiful padding. Since the Murano's cargo bay is below average in size for this class, it comes as no surprise that behind its rear seat can manage to fit only nine carry-on suitcases while its rivals held more. However, with its rear seat stowed, the Murano out-hauled the Jeep Grand Cherokee, that fit 26 cases inside the cabin. Most of the interior-storage cubby bins are adequately sized except for the Murano's glovebox, which is huge. All Murano models feature an 8.0-inch color touchscreen display running Nissan's NissanConnect infotainment system; navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM with Travel Link weather and traffic updates also are now standard across the range. The Murano has both USB-A and USB-C ports, including a pair on the back of the center console so those in the rear seat can juice their smartphones.

Resale Values

Murano Model Year
2006	2005	2004	2003
MPG
$27,600 - $31,700	$25,800 - $28,875	$25,075 - $27,075	$23,675 - $25,600

Third generation (Z52; 2014)

In April 2014, Nissan unveiled the third generation Murano at the New York Auto Show, with production in Canton, Mississippi and featuring the VQ-Series 3.5-liter V6 which produces up to 260 hp (194 kW). The third generation Murano is not marketed in Japan and Australia, as it is not only produced in left-hand drive. The nameplate has been discontinued due to sluggish sales, with the X-Trail taking its place. The Nissan Murano made a return in Mexico after an absence for a decade after the second generation was discontinued in that market on April 11, 2018, as a 2019 model. For the Mexican market, it is offered only in the Advance and Exclusive trim lines and only offered in a V6 3.5-liter engine. For the 2019 model year, Murano received an updated front and rear fascias as well as a new wheel design and quilted semi-aniline leather appointed seating became standard on the Platinum trim level and also gets new interior trim finishers, Light wood-tone on SV and SL trim levels with cashmere interior, Metallic trim on S, SV, and SL trim levels with graphite interior, and Dark wood-tone on the Platinum trim level. New exterior colors include Deep Blue Pearl, Mocha Almond Pearl, and Sunset Drift ChromaFlair. For 2020, it kept the same design while receiving minimal changes, mostly safety features. The SV and SL models received the Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist. It was facelifted in February 2020 for Mexico, dropping the Advance trim line and being only offered in the Platinum AWD trim line.

Murano Hybrid

For the model year of 2016, Nissan introduced a hybrid version of the Murano. The Murano Hybrid was available in two trim levels, SL and Platinum. The Murano Hybrid features an electric motor, a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine, Intelligent Dual Clutch System, and a lithium-ion battery that is located under the center console. Hybrid components does not reduce passenger and cargo space. The hybrid version uses the so-called VSP (Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians) system that uses sound to help alert pedestrians of the presence of the vehicle, when it is being driven at a low speed in the electric drive mode.

Second generation (Z51; 2007)

Pre-Facelift

Post-Facelift

Nissan skipped the model year of 2008 with the introduction of the second generation Murano – as a model for 2009. The 2009 Murano made its debut at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, and sales began in January 2008. The exterior and interior were redesigned. The second generation Murano was initially offered in three trim levels: the base S, the mid grade SL, and the top level LE. The performance oriented SE model was discontinued. The S and SL are offered with standard FWD, with optional iAWD (Intelligent All Wheel Drive) available. The LE trim is iAWD only. The second generation Murano included new features, some of which were optional or available only on the LE grade, including rain sensing wipers, double stitched leather seats, power rear lift gate, power fold up rear seats, iPod integration, and a hard-drive based, touchscreen navigation system. The S and SL feature aluminum interior accents, while the LE sports wood tone trim. Like the first generation model, there is no third row seat. The second generation is based on the Nissan D platform, shared with the fourth generation Nissan Altima, and the new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The second generation was equipped a revised version of the 3.5L VQ engine rated at 265 horsepower (198 kW), an increase of 20 over the previous model. Torque is rated at 336 N⋅m (248 lbf⋅ft). The engine is mated to a revised Continuously Variable Transmission with Adaptive Shift Control. EPA fuel economy is rated at 18 city / 23 highway. Standard safety features on all trims include four wheel disc brakes with ABS, brake assist, and EBD; electronic stability control; and front, side, and side curtain airbags. The NHTSA awarded the second generation Murano four stars on the frontal crash test, and five stars for side impacts, worse than the first generation. On September 29, 2008, Nissan released the second generation Murano in Japan, targeted mainly at men in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Nissan announced plans to sell the vehicle in 170 countries. The four-cylinder 2.5L QR engine continued to be offered as an option in Japan. In July 2010, Nissan launched a facelifted version in Europe only, with an updated 2.5-litre YD25DDTi four cylinder diesel engine producing 190 hp and 450 N⋅m (332 lbf⋅ft). For the model year of 2011, the Murano was refreshed to include refreshed front and rear fascias, new headlights and LED taillights, and new 18 inch wheels on the outside. New interior changes included a new white meter color (as opposed to red/orange), new center stack plastic colors matching the leather trim, and added equipment to various trim levels. The refresh also added a new exterior color, "Graphite Blue" and for the 2013 model year the LE trim was renamed to Platinum.redesigned.

CrossCabriolet

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Soft-Top Roof Up)

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Soft-Top Roof Down)

Nissan premiered the Murano CrossCabriolet at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show, marketing it as "the world’s first all wheel drive crossover convertible." Nissan began formally marketing the CrossCabriolet with the model year of 2011 — without further refreshes or any other trim levels during its production run. The crossover was only offered in the LE trim and had the same engine as a standard Murano. The fully automatic, hydraulically operated cloth top has an automatic power latch/unlatch system, rear glass skylight, dual pop-up roll bars, 7.6 cf cargo capacity with the top down and 12.3 cf with the top up — and a Cd of 0.39. Its front doors are 7.9 inches longer than four door Murano front doors, with structural reinforcement from the A-pillar rearward. The Murano CrossCabriolet was discontinued after the 2014 model year.[8]

First generation (Z50; 2002)

First Generation Nissan Murano

The first generation Nissan Murano was unveiled in production form for the model year of 2003, at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. It is powered by a 3.5-liter (VQ35DE) V6 producing 245 hp (183 kW) and 334 N⋅m (246 lbf⋅ft), also used in several other Nissan models like the Altima, Maxima, and Nissan 350Z, but specifically tuned for use in the Murano. Available with standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD), the Nissan Murano is one of the largest vehicles using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) during the time. Fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway (same mpg FWD and AWD on the new EPA specifications). Production started in middle of May 2002, and the first vehicles shipped in early June for the United States, and mid July for Canadian markets. An independent suspension on all wheels was used for class leading ride and handling. A full set of airbags, steel reinforced cabin, and head restraints were safety features designed to protect the interior while VDC, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist were mechanical safety features. VDC incorporates a form of traction control. The Murano received a crash test rating of five stars in all categories but vehicle rollover (four stars) from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For the model year of 2006 in North America, the Murano received some updates in the form of LED tail lamps and turn signals, standard color information screen, available back-up camera (standard in Canada for all models), GPS and a restyled front end with some minor trim updates. September 2004, the Murano was introduced in Japan, replacing the Bassara MPV and exclusive to Nissan Red Stage locations, with a further introduction at Nissan Blue Stage locations in October, replacing the Terrano. In Japan, the Murano is equipped with many optional features found in North America as standard equipment on Japanese models, to include Nissan's GPS and internet-based navigation system called CarWings. Japanese models were available with two engine choices, the 3.5L V6 engine, or the 2.5L four cylinder engine.

GT-C

high-performance version of the first generation of Murano was available, named as "GT-C", which used a high-output version of the VQ35DE engine with a peak power of around 305 bhp, as seen on the 350Z. This enabled the GT-C to set off from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 8 seconds, with a top speed of slightly over 220 km/h (137 mph).

Awards

• 2003 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study 2nd winner (Mid-size SUV)

See also

• Chrysler Pacifica
• Honda Pilot
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda CX-9
• Toyota Highlander
• Volkswagen Touareg

External Links

• 2017 Nissan Murano Review UK
• MyG37S a forum dedicated to Infiniti's
• OurVQ - The Premiere Nissan and Infiniti Forum Community
• Official American site
• Official Canadian site
• Official Japanese site
• CarsDirect: Nissan Murano - specs, photos, reviews, and pricing information
• JB car pages: Nissan Murano
• Nissan Murano Owners' Forums
• Nissan Murano.org
• Video: 2009 Nissan Murano Crossover
• 2011 Nissan Murano gets Revised Front Styling Due to New Diesel Engine, European Sales Start in September
• 2011MY USDM Nissan Murano Crossover gets Modest Facelift
• Nissan slaps Monroney on 2011 Murano, popular refreshed CUV to start at $28,500*
• LA Show 2010: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Tries to Start a New Crossover Niche

This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Nissan Murano. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.