2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD
Redesigned for 2009 and Beyond
Reviewed
by Susan Frissell
|
|
 |
Redesigned for 2009, the Nissan Murano has a lot to offer, including updated and nicer interior, more safety features, great ratings, and standard Electronic Stability Control. Long a favorite of ours, the Murano not only has great looks, it is a wonderful road trip vehicle.
Several years ago I had the pleasure of driving four mission volunteers down to New Orleans, and we did so in a Nissan Murano. Everyone had plenty of head and legroom, plus lots of cargo space behind the second row seats. Not one complaint was heard out of the crew as I confidently steered the nimble, responsive Murano south. In fact, probably the only complaint came from the driver when attempting to see anything to the left side or behind the vehicle. Because of the design, the Murano has limited rear visibility; much like its cousin, the Infiniti FX35 and FX45.
Safety equipment abounds in the new Murano and includes a long list of recommended and desirable features. Among them are active Head Restraints, Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear, seat outboard occupant head protection with rollover sensor, High-strength side door guard beams, Tire pressure monitoring system, LATCH and child safety rear door locks, dual stage seat mounted driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental airbags, and Nissan Advanced airbag system. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard this year on the Murano, as is Traction Control System, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, and Vehicle Dynamic Control. The IIHS crash-test safety rating for Murano is impressive.
Options were many on our SL AWD vehicle and included such things as Splash guards, $125; Premium Package, $1,000 including Bose Audio System with 9 speakers and Dual speaker subwoofer, XM satellite radio, Rearview Monitor, Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink Universal Transceiver, Foldable Cargo Organizer, Roof Rails, 7-inch QVGA color display, retractable cargo cover, Vehicle security system, Auxiliary audio/Video inputs behind center console. Also included was a Technology Package, $1,900, with power liftgate, Nissan intelligent key, Bluetooth Hands-free phone system, Auto on/off headlights, Bi-functional Xenon headlights with manual levelizer, Rain sensing front wiper and heated outside mirrors. Floor mats, $120 and Leather Package, $1,600 with leather appointed seats, driver power lumbar support, heated front seats and 4-way power front passenger seat, completed the option list.
Body style for the Nissan Murano is a 4-door sport-utility and trim lines include S with front-and-all-wheel-drive; SL with front-and-all-wheel-drive and LE with AWD. Pricing ranges from $27,680-$37,260. The price of the Murano has of course, increased in recent years, making it almost as much as its cousin the Infiniti FX35.
Standard equipment on our SL AWD Murano included body-colored power side mirrors, 8-way power driver seat and manual lumbar support, 4-way manual front passenger seat, driver and front passenger seatback pockets, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio switches, 60/40 split-fold rear seatback with power return, dual-zone automatic temperature control with front and rear vents, cruise, power windows, locks, vehicle speed sensing power auto door locks, push button ignition, remote keyless entry, four cup holders, locking fuel filler door, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirros and extensions, dual level center console, and AM/FM/6 CD in-dash changer audio system with MP3/WMA rearder and auxiliary audio input jack.
All Murano models are equipped with Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces plenty of power and responsiveness.
|
| SPECS MSRP: $30,830; total vehicle price $36,355; destination $780.
Engine: 3.5-liter V6 DOHC, 265 hp.
Transmission: Intuitive all-wheel-drive system, Intelligent Xtronic CVT
Wheelbase: 111.2 in. EPA Fuel Economy: 18/23 mpg. Wheels: 18-inch alloy, with center caps
Warranty: 3-yr./36,000-mile Basic,5-yr./60,000-mile drivertrain, 3 yr./36,000-mile Roadside Assistance, 5 yr./unlimited rust perforation Location of Final Assembly: Los Angeles
|
|