The 2011 Nissan Murano styling and attractive driving dynamics

The 2011 Nissan Murano is a midsized crossover SUV with concept-car styling and attractive driving dynamics that surpass the typical capabilities of a crossover vehicle. The Nissan Murano delivers sophistication and clever engineering with a sporty yet compliant suspension that handles the curves as well as it does the road. Its spacious interior displays premium materials, fine craftsmanship and a comfortable ride.

As a vehicle that can seat five passengers, the Nissan Murano is available in four trim levels: the S, SV, SL and LE. Basic features of the S include rear tinted glass, keyless entry and ignition, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, automatic climate control with two zones, power window and door locks, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel and audio system with six speakers and six-disc CD-changer with MP3 capabilities and auxiliary audio jack, cloth upholstery, driver’s seat with six manual adjustments and manual lumbar support, cruise control, six standard air bags and a reclining rear seat.

The SV model of the Nissan Murano adds fog lights, roof rails, sunroof, 7-inch color display screen, satellite radio, rearview camera, power front seats with eight controls for the driver and passenger, steering wheel wrapped in leather with audio controls, and iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. The SL model adds automatic wipers, heated front seats and steering wheel, an upgraded audio system with nine speakers and 800 Megabytes for music storage, leather upholstery, memory adjustments for the driver side and a power liftgate. The most luxurious model in the Nissan Murano line, the LE, includes 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, heated rear seats, bi-xenon headlights, interior wood-tone trim, and power tilt and telescopic steering wheel with memory for its position.

Specs:

The engine in the Nissan Murano is a 3.5 liter dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 that can produce 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a continuously variable transmission. All trim levels have the option of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the Nissan Murano is the same whether it is a front-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle and is rated at 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined.

The interior of the Nissan Murano is high quality with superior materials and fine design and finish. The second row is spacious and offers reclining seatbacks. Cargo space behind the second row of seats is 31.6 cubic feet and expands to 64 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Towing capacity for the vehicle is 3,500 pounds. Its in-car technology is very user friendly with optional navigation and rear-entertainment systems.

Safety features in the Nissan Murano include stability and traction control, antilock brakes, active front head restraints, front-side airbags and side curtain airbags. In both the front-offset and side crash tests of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Nissan Murano had the highest rating of “Good”.

The 2011 Nissan Murano is an outstanding vehicle in its class given its finely-tuned suspension and responsive steering that make for a pleasant and comfortable ride, seemingly immune from bumps and potholes and able to handle almost any kind of terrain.