DRIVERS LOG: 2009 Nissan Murano LE AWD

The 2009 Nissan Murano

Nissan

IN FLEET: Nov. 24-Dec. 9
AS-TESTED PRICE: $37,825
DRIVETRAIN: 3.5-liter V6, AWD, CVT
OUTPUT: 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 248 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 4,141 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: (EPA/AW): 20/15.6 mpg

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JONATHAN WONG: In preparation for a busy Thanksgiving, I easily stuffed a fold-up table and eight folding chairs in the back. The rear seats were a snap to fold down, a nice thing when it’s cold out and you have a lot of stuff to load. When the roads got nasty, the Murano handled it fairly well. Traction control is a little overly intrusive, which is probably good for most drivers. Braking distance is longer than I expected in the snow, but that probably has more to do with a set of Toyo tires that veer more toward the performance end of the spectrum. Nissan’s V6 is always good for potent power, and the CVT is a good piece with-out the rubber-band tendencies of some units. Steering weight is on the light side, but response is quick. For a tall, heavy wagon, it’s agile, lacks large amounts of roll in corners and is well damped over rough roadways. The interior controls are easy to figure out, and my iPod was easy to use through the in-car interface. The materials are of average quality, and there are enough nooks and crannies. This Nissan sits high on the list of the top five-passenger crossovers on the market.

MANAGING EDITOR ROGER HART: I’ve always liked the Murano, and this new one is no different. The 3.5-liter is strong, and while I’m no fan of the CVT, it seems to work well here. Ride and handling are what you’d expect in a top-heavy (even heavier with dual sunroofs), tall wagon. And I’m with Jon--I’d like a little more weight in the steering. The interior design is functional but a bit plain. At this price, I’d like an automatic setting on the climate control.