- crossover 150,472
- 1,709 below average
- 4,900 great
- Hillsdale, MI
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,709 below average crossover 150,472
2005 nissan murano review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Smooth and comfortable, the urban suv. introductionthe nissan murano is an excellent choice for someone who wants the smooth ride and responsive handling of a car, the cargo space of a wagon, and the high driving position of an suv. the murano is a good example of a crossover vehicle: it's designed to haul cargo like a sport-utility, but ride and drive like a car. However, this crossover handles better than the honda pilot and toyota highlander, and it drives more like a sports sedan. murano integrates aerodynamics and high fashion, with a sleek front end, smooth lines from front to back, and a greenhouse that slopes rearward, ending in a large but graceful c-pillar. Inside, nissan resisted the temptation to cram in three rows of seats like the highlander and pilot do. It's not a substitute for a minivan, nor does it look like one. the futuristic look is backed by sporty performance. The murano is powered by nissan's beefy 3. 5-liter v6, the same engine found in the 350z sports car, putting out 245 horsepower. It comes with a continuously variable transmission, a high-tech automatic that's smooth and responsive while offering superior gas mileage within its class. The murano shares much of its underpinnings with the nissan altima and maxima sedans (but is not related to the infiniti fx). all-wheel drive is available for better grip and stability in foul weather. A new entry-level murano s lowers the base price. lineupthe 2005 nissan murano is available in three models: s 26,850), sl 28,350) and se 29,300) models. All three are offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive 1,600). All models are powered by the 3. 5-liter v6 mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission that nissan calls the xtronic. all murano models come with features above the class standard. Standard equipment on all three versions includes dual-zone automatic temperature control, a high-power am/fm/cd audio system, power windows with auto up/down feature in front, keyless remote entry, reclining rear seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. the murano se comes with a firmer sport-tuned suspension, a manual shift mode, styled alloy wheels and dark-silver lower bumpers. High-intensity xenon headlights, which have a manual leveling feature, are standard on the se and optional on the sl. safety features surpass the class standard. Among them: dual-stage frontal air bags with seat belt sensors, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-cabin curtain style head-protection airbags, and active front head restraints. Rollover sensors for the airbag system have been added for 2005. The s can be purchased with a convenience package 800) including a 10-way adjustable driver's seat (standard on the sl and se models), roof rails, adjustable pedals, and a cargo cover and net. The sl and se models can be further upgraded with a premium package 1,500), which adds a more powerful stereo with subwoofer and auto volume control to the contents of the convenience package. The sunroof package 2,500) adds an electric sunroof to the premium equipment. The rear-seat dvd entertainment package 1,720) comes with a 6. 4-inch drop-down screen, remote control and two wireless headsets. Satellite radio, sirius or xm, is a dealer installed option 400). A chrome wheel package is available for sl models 1,200). walkaroundthe murano is named after the glass sculpted in the islands near venice, known for its beauty as well as for the high-tech methods used in its production. In the nissan murano, this duality is most obvious in the styling. the murano is designed to blend the look of a car and a truck. The top half of the body is sleek like a car, while the bottom half is bulky like a truck. Overall, the look is much sleeker than tall box-shaped suvs. At first it looks a bit over the top. Get used to it, though, and traditional suvs start looking boxy and dated. the murano's huge 18-inch wheels contribute to its muscular styling. Sculpted, vertical-stack headlights define the front corners. The highly styled rear hatchback is made of reinforced plastic because steel won't bend easily in such a complex shape. The windshield and front side windows are tinted green to deflect uv radiation; the rear side and rear windows are near black for privacy. as its looks suggest, the murano is an aerodynamic machine. Details in the design help it slip quietly through the air. The colors were chosen carefully to promote a luxury look. interiorclimbing into the nissan murano is easy, easier than other suvs. The seating position and steering wheel orientation make it feel more like a car than an suv. It's a mild surprise that the view rearward isn't compromised by the stylishly thick d-pillars. the front seats are comfortable and supportive, even for people well over six feet tall. Petite drivers are also able to get comfortable, with the power-adjustable pedals that help ensure a good driving position without getting too close to the steering wheel where the air bag is housed. The overall interior fit and finish are good. The preset buttons, for example, can be programmed to select either am or fm stations without having to press the separate mode button first. Controls on the steering wheel allow easy volume adjustments. the navigation system works well and includes a three-dimensional birds-eye view that's sometimes more fun to follow than the flat map. useful features make the murano a satisfying car for day-to-day use. A large center console separates the front seats, enhancing the sports sedan feel of the interior. The center console features a two-tiered lockable storage box with enough room for a laptop computer or a purse, cell phone, sunglasses, coins, cups and bottles. The door pockets flip out for easy access, and there's a hidden storage tray and two bins under the cargo floor. There are also three power outlets: front-passenger footwell, center console and rear. murano's cabin feels airy. The murano is a five-seat vehicle with similar interior space as the seven-seat toyota highlander and honda pilot. The rear seats take advantage of the additional space. As a result, the murano's back seat is limousine-like. The seats are split 60/40 and are flipped down individually. Flopping both seatbacks down presents a big cargo area with a nice flat floor. The load floor measures about the same length as the seven-seat honda pilot's. Indeed, with maximum cargo capacity of 81. 6 cubic feat, murano dwarfs nearly all of its five-seat competitors and some of the seven-seaters as well. Even with the back seats in place and five passengers aboard, there's still a substantial 32. 6 cubic feet of storage space. Moreover, the rear seats split 70/30 when they fold, so the murano can carry one or two passengers in back with long items like skis laid flat along the other side. on the downside, at 30. 4 inches, the rear load height is a bit higher than the class average. And the murano's bulky cargo cover seems to flap around and take up room. We'd be inclined to store it in the garage. driving impressionwe liked the nissan murano the first time we drove one. AM/FM✔ Power Windows✔ Climate Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Navigation System✔ Alloy Wheels
4,900 Hillsdale, MIHillsdale, MI at autoshopper.com