Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Nissan Altima platform, launched for the 2003 model year, along with its comparable model, the Honda Pilot. Also, the Murano was slotted between the compact Xterra and midsize Pathfinder models. Currently, it is the only Nissan crossover SUV sold in North America. It is more upscale than most of the competition and is more comparable to the BMW X3, Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg, and the Lexus RX. The Murano was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003. The vehicle itself is notable for being one of the largest vehicles available with a continuously variable transmission. There is only 1 trim level and no options; most luxuries expected in a car are standard kit in the Murano. The engine, a 3.5 litre 234bhp V6, comes straight out of the Nissan 350Z and is specially tuned for the Murano. The 'All-Mode 4x4 with ESP+' is a form of traction control embedded into the car's onboard computer and is desogned to provide 'joy' to drive. The car is 4-wheel drive and has 4-wheel independent suspension which essentially means that the front wheels have a separate set of struts and the back wheels do as well. A luxury feature of the car is a colour camera in place of a rear-view mirror and this is a safety feature designed to alert the driver if the car is about to damage the Murano. A full set of airbags, steel reinforced cabin and head restraints are safety features designed to protect the interior whilst ESP, ABS, EBD and brake assist are mechanical safety features. The car's styling has been criticised, especially the chrome grille whilst the fuel consumption enters under 20mpg.