2016 Nissan Murano Road Test and Review

The 2017 Nissan Murano sails on, returning basically unchanged after its makeover in 2015. Murano sales rose significantly in 2015 and so far in 2016 they are on a pace to possibly break the record sales mark, set in 2006. Sitting in the middle of the Nissan SUV lineup, the midsize Murano crossover is flanked by the Juke and Rogue on the compact side and Pathfinder and Armada on the fullsize side. Goldilocks couldn’t find a more appropriate ride—not too big, not too small; it's just right.

The 2017 Nissan Murano is assembled in Canton, Mississippi, in eight trim levels: S FWD (starting at $29,740); S AWD ($31,340); SV FWD ($32,800); SV AWD ($34,400); SL FWD ($37,130); SL AWD ($38,730); Platinum FWD ($39,180); and Platinum AWD ($40,780). Our test vehicle was a top-of-the-line Platinum AWD model with an as-tested price of $44,150, including the Technology Package ($2260), floor mats and carpeted cargo mat ($210) and a $900 destination charge. Additional available factory-installed options include Premium Paint ($395), Remote Starter ($330), Illuminated Kick Plates ($365), Premium Package ($2200), Navigation Package ($860), 18-inch premium wheels ($1440) and 20-inch premium wheels ($1720).

Nissan calls the Murano the “halo vehicle” for its SUV and crossover lineup. As such, Murano displays features that you’ll find on the other current Nissan vehicles and presumably on company vehicles of the near future. In front, the “V-motion” front end has prominent chrome grille accents. The sculpted hood sweeps back from the grille, continuing the lines of the V. Boomerang-shaped headlights (LED on Platinum models) are echoed by similarly shaped LED taillights. Crisp arches highlight the wheel openings, nicely filled in the Platinum trim level with 20-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels. A blacked-out D-pillar gives the impression of a “floating roof,” according to Nissan’s description. The whole vehicle conveys an elegant, athletic air.

The Murano’s interior design impressively matches the exterior with a version of the V-motion shape and trim defining the center stack. The 8-inch color touchscreen display sits toward the top of the stack, crowned by a horizontal row of vents. We’d prefer that arrangement to be reversed to get the screen closer to the driver’s view of the road, but the lower placement allows for a shorter reach for touch inputs, so we can live with the compromise, especially with the redundant 7-inch DriveAssist Display in the instrument cluster. Fit and finish are excellent, with a tasteful variety of high-quality materials and surfaces.

The Platinum AWD model comes with a long list of standard comfort and convenience features. The stars of the show are Nissan’s Zero Gravity front and rear outboard leather-appointed seats, which offer outstanding thigh support and side bolstering. The front seats have power controls (8-way driver/4-way passenger), heat and ventilation, and rear seats are heated, too. The power tilt- and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel is also heated, making the Murano a pleasure on cold mornings. The second row of seats is roomy, though the center position is a little flat.

The 2017 Nissan Murano Platinum comes with NissanConnect and navigation with voice command as standard equipment. NissanConnect works with a smartphone app that moves some of the functionality of your phone to the vehicle’s touchscreen interface via a Bluetooth connection. With your iPhone or Android phone paired, you get access to apps like Pandora, Facebook, Google, SiriusXM, and others, including a hands-free text messaging assistant, streaming audio, and some NissanConnect apps. In some ways, this system is more user-friendly than the current versions of Apple CarPlay (available later in the model year), which requires a wired USB connection.

Also standard on the Platinum is a Bose Premium Audio system with AM/FM/CD/HD Radio system that comes with two USB ports (one front/one rear) and three 12-volt power outlets. Nissan’s Intelligent Key with pushbutton start and remote engine starting system are standard as well.

The 2017 Nissan Murano comes with seven airbags standard, including a driver knee airbag. LATCH connectors are included. The Platinum comes with Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Nissan’s excellent Around View Monitor makes parking and reversing safer still.

The expected Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy-Fill Tire Alert are supplemented by Hill-Start Assist and Driver Attention Alert (DAA), which can detect behavior that hints that it’s time to take a break from driving. The optional ($2260) Technology Package on our test vehicle added Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Predictive Forward Collision Braking (PPFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), along with a power panoramic moonroof (not for safety, but great for an airy cabin feel).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2016 (the 2017 is not yet rated) Murano “Good” across the board (its highest rating), and SaferCar.gov gives the 2017 Murano AWD a 5-star rating.

All Murano models come with the same 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine rated to produce 260 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the only choice, either with front-wheel drive or, as on our test vehicle, all-wheel drive. A sophisticated system of mounts supports the engine in its bay. The four mounts—liquid-filled right, solid left, vacuum-controlled and liquid-filled front and liquid-filled rear, along with two torque rods—are designed to anchor the engine while allowing controlled movement that reduces noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in the cabin and torque steer.

The EPA estimates that the 2017 Nissan Murano will achieve 21 MPG city/28 MPG highway/24 MPG combined in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

Thanks to excellent balance and four-wheel independent suspension (front struts/rear multi-link) with stabilizer bars on both ends, the 2017 Nissan Murano handles well. The center of gravity feels very low, and there is little body roll in the corners. The engine provides substantial thrust and acceleration. CVTs take a little getting used to for the uninitiated. The familiar feel of stepped gears is absent, replaced by an engine note that peaks with acceleration and then holds until you let off of the throttle, where the revs plateau. The Murano’s transmission manages the power nicely, and never gives the feeling of droning, as some other CVTs display.

Comfortable in its spot right in the middle of Nissan's SUV/crossover lineup, the 2017 Murano doesn’t attempt to be all things to all people, so there’s no third-row seating available. For added utility, a generous 32.1 cubic foot (31.1 cubic foot with moonroof) luggage space behind the second row can be expanded to 67.0 cubic feet (65.0 with moonroof) by folding the 60/40 split seats flat.

Doers the Murano deserve its status as a halo vehicle in the Nissan SUV/crossover vehicle lineup? It does. It is an elegant, sophisticated crossover with a striking exterior and a luxurious interior, and it offers a nice driving experience. It is not a Swiss Army knife do-it-all SUV, but it is a mature example of why so many sedan owners are moving to the crossover class.

In its price range, Murano faces some good competition. The Dodge Durango/Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge, Volvo XC60, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe/Kia Sorento, and Lexus RX all have their merits, and some include third-row seating options. The Murano also must be measured against its own corporate siblings, including the Infiniti QX50, Nissan Rogue, and Nissan Pathfinder for the full Goldilocks treatment. Shoppers would also be wise to consider the very well equipped SL and SV models of the Murano to trim the bottom line a bit, sacrificing some of the premium features for a lower monthly payment.

For many crossover shoppers, the 2017 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD will be “just right.”