Test drive Nissan Murano
Test Drive

Test drive Nissan Murano

Volumetric aspirated, phlegmatic variator and soft suspension are the reasons why the Japanese crossover with American roots fits almost perfectly into Russian reality.

The past Nissan Murano was distinctive enough, but still a bit controversial. Especially in our reality, where a large SUV is perceived by default as an expensive and impressive thing. Alas, the Japanese crossover, from the outside resembling an alien from the future, turned out to be a rather simple car inside.

The transatlantic eclecticism that prevailed in the interior literally screamed about the model's orientation to the United States market. Simplicity of forms and uncomplicated finishing materials from artificial leather in expensive trim levels to matte "silver" on plastic inserts immediately gave out a typical "American Japanese".

A new generation car is a different matter. Especially if the interior is executed in light cream colors. Here you have soft plastics, and genuine leather of good manufacture on the steering wheel and door cards, and piano lacquer on the center console. The version with a black interior does not look so luxurious, but it is also quite expensive and rich. Even taking into account the fact that the black gloss around the media system is almost constantly smeared with oily fingerprints.

Test drive Nissan Murano

The only detail reminiscent of Murano's American roots is the parking brake scissor located to the left of the steering column at the bottom of the dash. In our European tradition, it is much more common to see a “handbrake” on a tunnel, but the Japanese solution in some ways turned out to be even more convenient. If the manufacturer does not use an electromechanical design, then let the parking brake lever be somewhere below, rather than eating up the useful and valuable space between the front riders. In Murano, this volume was given under a deep box and two huge cup holders.

In the Nissan cabin, there are bulk places not only in compartments and boxes, but also in passenger seats. The rear sofa is profiled so that it can easily accommodate three people. Moreover, the transmission tunnel underfoot is almost invisible.

Test drive Nissan Murano

In general, the interior of Murano is more like a minivan interior in terms of convenience and organization of space. Perhaps this feeling is due to the large glass area and the optional panoramic roof, but the fact is that it is spacious and comfortable here.

The good news is that in cold weather all this large volume warms up rather quickly. If only because under the hood of this Nissan is installed the correct "old-school" atmospheric engine of a solid volume.

Test drive Nissan Murano

3,5-liter V-shaped "six" develops 249 liters. with. and 325 Nm, moreover, in Russia, the engine power is specially limited for the sake of falling into a lower tax category. For example, in the USA, this motor develops 260 forces. However, on dynamic performance, the difference is 11 hp. does not affect in any way. Our Murano, like the overseas one, exchanges the first "hundred" in less than 9 seconds. This is quite enough for comfortable movement in city traffic. As for the highway driving modes, then that solid working volume comes to the rescue, which, as you know, cannot be replaced by anything.

Another thing is that the car's acceleration itself feels a little phlegmatic. The crossover picks up speed gradually and smoothly, without any tangible spurt. The smooth-running character of the Murano is ensured by the infinitely variable variator. He, of course, also has a manual mode, in which virtual transmissions are imitated, and the operation of the box begins to resemble a classic machine more. But the desire to use it for some reason does not arise.

Test drive Nissan Murano

Probably because the chassis is calibrated to match the quiet settings of the power unit. Moreover, the Russian Murano on the move differs from its overseas counterpart. The driving manners of the original American modification were revised by the Russian office of Nissan, who found the car too soft and wobbly.

As a result, "our" Murano picked up other characteristics of anti-roll bars, shock absorbers and rear springs. They say that after the modifications, the body roll was greatly reduced and the amplitude of the longitudinal swing on the waves and during intensive deceleration was noticeably reduced.

Test drive Nissan Murano

However, even with such settings, the crossover leaves the impression of a very soft and comfortable car. On the move, the car feels solid, smooth and quiet. Suspensions transmit information to the salon about everything that comes under the wheels, but they do it as delicately as possible. Murano is almost not afraid of level crossings, sharp paving stones and overpass joints. Well, energy-intensive suspensions cope well with large holes from birth. In America, too, there are not always good roads everywhere.

There is only one claim to the Murano's driving habits - the strangely tuned steering wheel. In parking modes, it turns with excessive force, despite the presence of an electric booster. Such steering wheel settings seem to provide more accurate and rich feedback at high speed, but in reality it turns out differently. Yes, at speed the steering wheel feels tight and tight, especially in the near-zero zone, but it still lacks information content.

Test drive Nissan Murano

On the other hand, nothing is perfect. If we close our eyes to this minor flaw, then with its merits Murano almost ideally fits into our Russian reality.

A typeCrossover
Dimensions (length / width / height), mm4898/1915/1691
Wheelbase, mm2825
Curb weight, kg1818
engine's typeGasoline, V6
Working volume, cubic meters cm3498
Max. power, l. with. (at rpm)249/6400
Max. cool. moment, Nm (at rpm)325/4400
ТрансмиссияVariable speed drive
Drive unitFull
Acceleration to 100 km / h, from8,2
Max. speed km / h210
Fuel consumption (mixed cycle), l / 100 km10,2
Cargo space, l454 – 1603 Feet
Price from, $.27 495
 

 

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