Nissan Murano

Murano Featured Image
Nissan Murano
2015 Nissan Murano SV AWD, front left.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan
Production 2002–present
Model years 2003–present
Assembly

 

Nissan Shatai, Kanda, Fukuoka, JapanSaint Petersburg, Russia.

 

Nissan North America, Canton, MS, United States
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size crossover
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Nissan Murano is a front-engine, five-door mid-size crossover manufactured and marketed by Nissan since May 2002 as a 2003 model and now in its third generation — with a convertible variant, the CrossCabriolet, available for model years 2011-2014.

As Nissan's first crossover SUV for the United States and Canada, the Murano was designed at Nissan America in La Jolla, California, and was based on the Nissan FF-L platform shared with the third generation Altima. The single European version of the Murano began sales in 2004.

The Murano was Nissan's only crossover SUV in the U.S. until September 2007 when the 2008 Nissan Rogue went on sale. In Canada the X-Trail had been on sale as Nissan's second car-based SUV since 2004 as a 2005 model; it was replaced by the new 2008 Nissan Rogue in late 2007. The Murano is sized between the Xterra and the now defunct Pathfinder.

The nameplate Murano derives from the Italian city of Murano and the namesake Murano art glass for which the city is widely known.

First generation (2002–2007)
First generation (Z50)
1st Nissan Murano SE.jpg
Overview
Production May 2002–October 2007
Model years 2003–2007
Designer Taiji Toyota (2000)
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door Crossover
Platform Nissan FF-L platform
Related Nissan Altima
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Quest
Nissan Teana
Nissan Rogue
Powertrain
Engine 3.5L VQ35DE V6, 245 hp (183 kW)
2.5L QR25DE I-4 (Japan)
Transmission CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2825 mm (111.2 in)
Length 4770 mm (187.6 in)
Width 1880 mm (74.0 in)
Height 2003–2005: 1705 mm (66.5 in)
2006–2007: 1709 mm (67.3 in)
Curb weight 3,851 lb (1,747 kg) (FWD)
3,983 lb (1,807 kg) (AWD)

The first generation Nissan Murano was unveiled in production form for the 2003 model year at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. It was powered by a 3.5 liter (VQ35DE) V6 producing 245 hp (183 kW) and 334 N·m (246 lbf·ft), also used in several other Nissan models like the Altima, Maxima, and Nissan 350Z, but specifically tuned for use in the Murano. Available with standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD), the Nissan Murano is one of the largest vehicles utilising a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway (same mpg FWD and AWD on the new EPA specifications). Production started in mid-May 2002 and the first vehicles shipped in early June for the US, and mid-July for Canadian markets.

An independent suspension on all wheels was used for class-leading ride and handling.

 
2005–2008 Nissan Murano Ti (Australia)
 
Interior

A full set of airbags, steel reinforced cabin, and head restraints were safety features designed to protect the interior while VDC, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist were mechanical safety features. VDC incorporates a form of traction control.

The Murano received a crash test rating of 5-stars in all categories but vehicle rollover (4-stars) from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

For the 2006 model year in North America, the Murano received some updates in the form of LED tail lamps and turn signals, standard color information screen, available back-up camera (standard in Canada for all models), GPS and a restyled front end with some minor trim updates.

September 2004, the Murano was introduced in Japan, replacing the Bassara MPV and exclusive to Nissan Red Stage locations, with a further introduction at Nissan Blue Stage locations in October, replacing the Terrano. Due to the Murano exceeding engine displacement and exterior dimensions as declared in Japanese Government regulations, it was regarded as a luxury vehicle and was equipped with many optional features found in North America as standard equipment on Japanese models, to include Nissan's GPS and internet-based navigation system called CarWings. Japanese models were available with two engine choices, the 3.5L V6 engine, or the 2.5L QR four cylinder engine.

 

Second generation (2008–2014)

Second generation (Z51)
2009 Nissan Murano S.jpg
Overview
Also called Nissan Murano Z51
Production November 23, 2007–2014
Model years 2009–2014
Designer Toshiyuki Abe (2005)
Jung Kyu Choi
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door Crossover
2-door convertible
Platform Nissan D platform
Related Nissan Altima (L32)
Nissan Maxima (A35)
Nissan Teana (J32)
Nissan Pathfinder (2013)
Infiniti JX
Powertrain
Engine 3.5L VQ35DE V6, 260–265 hp (194–198 kW)
2.5 dCi I4, 190 hp (140 kW)
2.5L QR25DE I-4 (Japan)
Transmission CVT
6-speed auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,824 mm (111 in)
Length 2009–2010: 4,788 mm (189 in)
2011–: 4,823 mm (190 in)
Convertible: 4,829 mm (190 in)
Width 1,882 mm (74 in)
Convertible: 1,892 mm (74 in)
Height 2009–2010: 1,699 mm (67 in)
2011–: 1,727 mm (68 in)
Convertible: 1,681 mm (66 in)
Curb weight 1,759 kg (3,878 lb)-1,842 kg (4,061 lb) (FWD)
1,826 kg (4,026 lb)-1,909 kg (4,209 lb) (AWD)
Before facelift
After facelift
 
Interior

Nissan skipped the 2008 model year with the introduction of the second generation Murano – as a 2009 model. The 2009 Murano made its public debut at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show in November and sales began in early January 2008.

The exterior was designed to bear family resemblance to the Nissan Rogue, while still maintaining distinctly Murano cues with an aggressive front fascia and rear quarter windows. The interior was completely redesigned, with the use of a more traditional instrument cluster and notably higher-quality materials.

The second-generation Murano was initially offered in three trim levels: the base S, the mid-grade SL, and the top-level LE. The performance-oriented SE model was discontinued. The S and SL are offered with standard FWD, with optional iAWD (Intelligent All Wheel Drive) available. The LE trim is iAWD only.

The second-generation Murano included new features, some of which were optional or available only on the LE grade, including rain-sensing wipers, double-stitched leather seats, power rear lift gate, power fold-up rear seats, iPod integration, and a hard-drive based, touchscreen navigation system. The S and SL feature aluminum interior accents, while the LE sports wood-tone trim. Like the first-generation model, there is no third-row seat.

The second-generation is based on the Nissan D platform shared with the fourth generation Nissan Altima and the new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The second-generation was equipped a revised version of the 3.5L VQ engine rated at 265 horsepower (198 kW), an increase of 20 over the previous model. Torque is rated at 336 N·m (248 lbf·ft). The engine is mated to a revised Continuously Variable Transmission with Adaptive Shift Control. EPA fuel economy is rated at 18 city / 23 highway.

Standard safety features on all trims include 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, brake-assist, and EBD; electronic stability control; and front, side-, and side-curtain airbags. The NHTSA awarded the second generation Murano 4 stars on the frontal crash test and 5 stars for side impacts, worse than the first generation.

On September 29, 2008, Nissan released the second-generation Murano in Japan, targeted mainly at men in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and priced between 3,150,000 yen and 4,042,500 yen, about 200,000 to 300,000 yen more expensive than the first generation model. Nissan announced plans to sell the vehicle in 170 countries. The four-cylinder 2.5L QR engine continued to be offered as an option in Japan.

In July 2010, Nissan launched a facelifted version in Europe only, with an updated 2.5L YD25DDTi 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 190 hp and 450 N·m (330 lbf·ft).

For the 2011 model year, the Murano was refreshed to include refreshed front and rear fascias, new headlights and LED taillights, and new 18-inch wheels on the outside. New interior changes included a new white meter color (as opposed to red/orange), new center stack plastic colors matching the leather trim, and added equipment to various trim levels. The refresh also added a new exterior color, "Graphite Blue" and for the 2013 model year the LE trim will be renamed to Platinum.

In September 2011, Nissan launched the second-generation Murano in Indonesia. Only one version was available, and sold for 750 million rupiahs (about US$78,900). In April 2011, the Murano was withdrawn from the United Kingdom, due to disappointing sales.

Murano CrossCabriolet

 
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Japan)

Nissan premiered a convertible version of the Murano as the CrossCabriolet at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The convertible was available beginning with the 2011 model year receiving no refreshes or any other trim levels during its production run. The crossover was only offered in the LE trim and had the same engine as a standard Murano. In April 2014, Nissan announced that the Murano CrossCabriolet would be eliminated for good due to poor sales.

 

Third generation (2015–present)

Third generation (Z52)
2015 Nissan Murano.jpg
Overview
Production 2014–present
Model years 2015–present
2016 only for Hybrid
Assembly Canton, Mississippi, United States (Nissan USA)
Dalian, China (DMCL)
Saint-Petersburg, Russia (Nissan Manufacturing Rus)
Designer Ken Lee (2012)
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door Crossover
Layout Front engine, Front-wheel drive/ All-wheel drive
Platform Nissan D platform
Related Nissan Altima (L32)
Nissan Maxima (A35)
Nissan Teana (J32)
Nissan Pathfinder
Infiniti JX
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2.5 L QR25DER I4 (Hybrid)
  • 3.5 L VQ35DE V6
Transmission CVT
6-speed auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,824 mm (111 in)
Length 4,887 mm (192 in)
Width 1,915 mm (75 in)
Height 1,689 mm (66 in)
 
2015 Nissan Murano SV

On April 14, 2014, Nissan unveiled a third generation Murano at the New York Auto Show, with production of the vehicle to be built in Canton, Mississippi and arriving in dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2014. The 2015 Nissan Murano was inspired by the Resonance Concept that was on display at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The new Murano includes a toned-down "V-Motion" nose and the trademark boomerang-shaped light fixtures, along with a "floating roof" design and an updated infotainment system and newer security features. This generation Murano has an interior similar to the Rogue, Maxima, and Altima. The VQ-Series 3.5-liter V6 engine will continue to be offered in the third generation version for the 2015 model year. The all new Murano has not yet been scheduled to be sold in Japan. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces up to 260 horsepower.

Murano Hybrid

For the 2016 model year only, Nissan introduced a Hybrid version of the Nissan Murano. The Murano Hybrid is available in 2 trim levels, SL and Platinum. The Murano Hybrid features an electric motor, a 2.5 liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine, Intelligent Dual Clutch System, and Lithium-Ion Battery that is located under the center console. Hybrid components won't reduce passenger and cargo space. The hybrid version uses the so-called VSP (Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians) system that uses sound to help alert pedestrians of the presence of the vehicle when it is being driven at a low speed in the electric drive mode.

Awards and recognition

  • 2003 Nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award.
  • 2007 Motorist Choice best premium mid-size SUV by AutoPacific.
  • 2010 Murano received the highest ratings in the front-, side-, and rear-impact evaluations performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
  • 2010 Murano received NHTSA's Highest Government Side-Impact Safety Rating (five stars).
  • 2015 Ward's 10 Best Interiors Winner