2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Drop-top Drops $2,545 from its MSRP

The word “unique” tends to get quite a workout from the automotive media, but one vehicle it truly applies to is the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. The convertible version of Nissan’s top-selling crossover is now entering its fourth model year—which is probably about four model years longer than most folks thought it would last—and the brand has made a number of small changes, along with one large one, to help goose sales for what is likely to be the CrossCabriolet’s swan song.

After all, the next-gen Murano was previewed by the Nissan Resonance Concept at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with the automaker essentially confirming that the new Murano would be a fixed-roof model only.

On the other hand, as mentioned, there has been some fine-tuning for the vehicle’s final selling season: Midnight Garnet and Gun Metallic have been added to its list of available exterior colors, while its 20-inch titanium-finished aluminum-alloy wheels showcase a new split five-spoke design. But the most significant change to the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet will be to its bottom line, since Nissan has sliced $2,545 from its MSRP, bringing the price of admission down to $41,995.

2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: Making the Case

Even with its significant 5.7 percent price decrease, the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet costs some $10K above the Murano proper, and that vehicle, in turn, is already the most-expensive mainstream crossover in its class. But that kind of math misses the point with the Murano CC, which occupies a sort of netherworld between mainstream and luxury in the same manner as cars like the Hyundai Azera or Toyota Avalon.

Consider: The 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet’s foundation is the range-topping Murano LE with all-wheel drive, so the former is kitted out with a full complement of creature comforts, including a standard leather interior with a Bluetooth hands-free calling system, up-level audio from Bose, and Nissan’s own RearView Monitor. Engineers also made a canny move by switching the cabin configuration so that the vehicle offers seating for four, not five. This pre-empts some of the space problems that would otherwise result in transitioning the Murano to the CrossCabriolet, and it helps that Nissan has deployed a particularly compact design for vehicle’s premium soft-top, allowing a surprising amount of space for gear, too.

Also, the only powertrain choice is Nissan’s premium V6, capable of making 265 hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque while mated to a next-gen Xtronic CVT with Adaptive Shift Control.

Thus, if we compare the cost of the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet with a sprinkling of similarly sized entries from across the industry, and keep in mind the priceless open-air advantage of the Nissan, we can get a better feeling for how it stacks up against some possible competition. (Note: The 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is just over 190 inches in length, so it’s noticeably longer than top-selling compact crossovers like the 178-inch 2013 Ford Escape.)

2013 BMW X5—$47,500; 191.1 inches

2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class; 189.1 inches (missing price)

2013 Infiniti FX—$44,950; 191.3 inches

2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet—$41,995; 190.1 inches

2013 Honda Pilot—$29,520; 191.4 inches

2013 Toyota Highlander—$28,870; 188.4 inches

The similarly sized mainstreamers represent a whole different subspecies of crossover that puts an emphasis on family-friendly capabilities, while similarly sized premium vehicles are both more premium in terms of content and more expensive.

It makes the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet—at dealerships now—the perfect choice in the near-premium, medium-ish-sized, convertible crossover segment.