Quickie Used Car Review - Nissan Murano (2010-2015)

2010-2015 Nissan Murano

The Good: Drives like a car

The Bad: Some traits of a car remain for a crossover SUV

The Say: A car that has the talents which comes unappreciated.

Go For: Z51
Avoid:

Price Range: P1,200,000-P1,300,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Nissan Murano (2010-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2015

Used Car Review - Nissan Murano (2010-2015)

This forgotten crossover receives that much deserving love through a review from Myk Belmonte.

20102-2015 Nissan Murano

History
Crossover SUVs are basically sport utility vehicles which are built on a car platform and combining features of the former type. Sure, they ride comfortably and handles like a car but features a high seating position, tall headroom, and all wheel drive option. These vehicles utilize the unibody construction structure which is common among passenger cars rather than the body-on-frame of the traditional SUVs. One boo-boo here: crossovers do not have the off-road skills of their traditional counterparts, no thanks to their all wheel drive capability which aren't a fit there.

The Japanese market got the taste of the crossover SUV in the form of the Toyota RAV4 (Corolla based), Honda CR-V (Civic derived platform), and Nissan Rasheen (Sunny/Sentra platform) during the mid-90s. By the time the SUV market was booming, car based ones increased one by one with the Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX being a success story in the uplevel market, Nissan joined the fray with the Murano in 2002 but was first launched for the United States and Canadian market before its Japanese debut two years later. For the second generation model, production started in November 2007 and sales started in January 2008 as a 2009 model, still sharing its platform with the Altima and Maxima. Outside North America, this vehicle can be had with a 2.5 4-cylinder engine for Japanese consumers and a 2.5 diesel for the European market.

Although the second generation Murano was made available in 2008 in its home market, the Philippine market had to wait until March 2010 for this crossover SUV to arrive here. Unlike the previous model which was introduced by Nissan Motor Philippines Inc, this one had the other distributor in the name of Universal Motors Corporation to distribute this one. This vehicle survived the merger of two Nissan distributors in 2014 but discontinued the following year.

Value and Costs
Initial pricing for this SUV is pegged at P3,100,000 when it was first made available but was dropped to around the tune of P2,300,000 later on due to a trade agreement which made Japanese assembled vehicles having 3.0 liter and above engines reduced tax rates. Since this vehicle never caught on with the buying public, if you want one expect to exert effort to find one on the classifieds block whether on the internet or on paper. On general, expect second hand Muranos of this vintage to be priced around P1,000,000 or so.

Maintaining one would be on the expensive side, especially this one carries a 3.5 V6 gasoline engine plus with its low seller status, parts are somewhat limited though Nissan Philippines offers an online parts shop and components are the same with the 2010-2014 Teana. If you really want this one, prepare to shell out more just to keep this baby than a regular diesel powered SUV from Thailand.

Exterior and Interior
Named after a group of islands in Italy and its sculptured glass that are made there, we can say the exterior had the traits and qualities of a sculptured glass that had undergone blowing through fires. Just like the previous generation model, you'd mistaken this one as something that came out of the oven. Props to Nissan for their hard work on making this car beautifully designed.

You'll be fooled here, the exterior shouts small but the cabin is spacious at best which is complemented with larger pillar arcs and an expansive dashboard. High quality materials abound, which includes touches of leather and silver accents. High tech gadgets are available which includes settings for the climate control, entertainment, and fuel gauge which is reminiscent of BMW's iDrive system, a sunroof for everyone, and a trunk open release which is done by pushing a button. Rear seat occupants are treated to a spacious space at the back.

Engine
Similar to the first generation model, it still uses a VQ35DE 3.5 V6 gasoline which displaces 260hp at 6,000rpm and 336Nm at 4,400rpm. Bring the engine to life and you'd notice that it is silent despite pushing the accelerator hardly. Paired to this powertrain is Nissan's famed XTronic CVT which makes things silent and smooth and contributing to a lesser fuel penalty. Just like other rivals, it is only available in AWD that is biased towards paved roads.

Driving Impressions
Since this vehicle is based on a car, expect car based traits such as the handling which makes maneuvering easy due to its size and soaks road imperfections. When it comes to acceleration, you'd mistaken this vehicle for something that runs with a hybrid engine which is quiet even at high speeds, even your passengers will lull themselves to sleep because of this.

Verdict
When it was brought here, we had to ask "why too late"? And the next question, why is it that expensive. Sure, these things made the car not so noticeable but those who dived in and got to know this car more are rewarded by a carlike driving characteristic and a high quality interior. If you want one, then finding one requires patience but then you'll reap the rewards of this car.

Nissan Murano - Generation 1 (2006-2009)

NISSAN MURANO (2006-2009)

While other markets had this in 2002, the Philippines got the Murano four years later. Just like others, we do have the 3.5 V6 which saw usage in the 350z sports car. This crossover was available in Nissan dealers until 2009.

See the overview of this Murano

Car Profiles - Nissan Murano (2010-2015)

2010-2015 Nissan Murano

The Good: Drives like a car

The Bad: Some traits of a car remain for a crossover SUV

The Say: A car that has the talents which comes unappreciated.

Go For: Z51
Avoid:

Price Range: Data Not Available
Our Rating: ****

Related Reviews: Used Car Review - Nissan Murano (2010-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2015

Nissan Murano - Generation 2 (2010-2015)

NISSAN MURANO (2010-2015)

While other countries had this earlier, the Philippines had it in March 2010. The Murano which was sold locally carried a 3.5 V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission.

See the overview of this Murano

Car Profiles - Nissan Murano (2006-2009)

2006-2009 Nissan Murano

The Good: Stylish exterior, a raised 350z

The Bad: Rear visibility, more sport than utility

The Say: A sports car wrapped in the body of an SUV.

Go For: 3.5L V6
Avoid: None

Price Range: P670,000-P950,000
Our Rating: ****

Related Review: Wildcard Pick of the Month - Nissan Murano (2006-2009)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2006-2009

Wildcard Pick of the Month - Nissan Murano (2006-2009)

Our third wildcard pick would be a topic of interest since Myk Belmonte is also intrigued with this vehicle. Who knew this vehicle would put this manufacturer on the track because it looks so darn beautiful. Enough with the cheesy start, let's evaluate this car shall we?

2006-2009 Nissan Murano

History
In a sport utility vehicle, there is a trade-off between the sporty aspect and the utility portion. If the SUV emphasizes sporty driving and looks, you don't get to have two extra people to sit at the back and rear visibility is suckish. If we deal with the utility portion of the SUV, comfort is not in the vocabulary as well as refinement, but they are tops when it comes to maintenance costs.

The Nissan Murano is marketed as a sporty crossover than the utility aspect. Besides, if you are hunting a utility SUV in Nissan's lineup, you'll go with the Pathfinder right? It was designed in California and the Murano name came from a place in Italy, where hand blown glass is produced. If there was one car that steered Nissan in the right direction, this is the one. A VQ engine also utilized by the Maxima and Altima is kitted under the hood, style cues for both outside and some interior bits taken from the 350z, and styling that spectators never seen from any Nissan. It was sold from 2003 to 2007 internationally.

2006 saw the arrival of the Murano in the Philippines courtesy of Nissan Motors Philippines and along with the 350z, this Nissan brought new light to the carmaker. While 2008 saw the sales of the new generation Murano, we had this (albeit in limited quantities) until 2009, with the second gen's introduction in 2010.

Value and Costs
You may say that the Murano is overpriced at P2.6M during its time, but a closer inspection reveals that it was money well spent, with unrivaled levels of luxury and power for those shopping at this segment. And for second hand prices of P800,000-P1,200,000, you can get sports car driving with the added advantage of a high ground clearance at less price.

Maintaining this SUV would cost a bit higher than a Fortuner or Montero Sport, heck even more than a Patrol. Just remember to fill up the oil fluid levels, use a CVT fluid than a ATF, replace all wheels at the same time, and feed it with premium fuel than regular unleaded.

Exterior and Interior
Designers at Nissan believed in the "think out of the box" philosophy with using a design cue reserved for expensive sports cars. And Nissan succeeded in merging form and functionality in one package without having the final product different from what they wanted. You'll even say to yourself that the stylish shell was made in the Italian town known for hand blown glass, since it so damn beautiful.

Going inside, the interior is a cross between the 350z and the X-Trail. A fact, the Murano's wide and expansive dashboard has to be the automobile kingdom's deepest dashboard (if there is any claim to begin with). With that in mind, you could use it as a parcel tray and it looks similar as well, but remember not to place heavy items and extra buluroy on the car. To review the other parts, controls are logically located and within reach, plus other features that emphasize driver convenience include a one-touch backseat folding mechanism and a Bose audio system tops this off. Space for human beings are adequate in both quarters.

Engine
There is only one engine standard on all Muranos, and it is a VQ35DE 3,498cc V6 with 234hp at 6,000rpm and 318Nm at 3,600rpm. If this power and torque figures is too much power in some sedans, in the Murano it is just right to carry the two ton vehicle. And while we're at it, this particular engine also powers the 350z and the VQ engine family is usually included in the Ward's 10 Best Engines awards.

Driving Impressions
It may be heavy, but the engine does the job of hauling this SUV with that weight. The CVT transmission extracts every power available at any given time, but one must take time to learn the tricks on maximizing power available. Acceleration and handling are very similar to the sports car where it is based on, thanks to the rear suspension derived from the 350z. However, rear visibility is not a strong suit because of the chunky C-pillars.

Verdict
You can buy a sports car, but forgo with the practicality and the other four passengers. But with the Murano, you and four other people can hop in and enjoy the 350z's driving characteristics. Just make sure you do have reserved funds for fueling this baby up.