2010 Nissan Murano Reviews

Ewan Kenned reviews the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Nissan Murano as a used buy.

Graham Smith reviews the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Nissan Murano as a used buy.

The Murano was a revelation in the SUV market when it first hit town back in 2004. It was a four-wheel drive wagon designed for people who preferred to look good driving around town than getting down and dirty.NEWThe new model launched in 2009 built on the same theme, but turned in a more luxurious direction. While it was an evolution of the first model, every panel on the new one was new, the grille and headlights were new, so too was the interior.It came in two versions, the ST starter car and the fully fruited Ti. The ST came with stability control, ABS brakes, with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assistance, six airbags, a full-sized spare wheel, air, cruise, power seats, six-speaker CD sound, MP3, and a trip computer.Had you stepped up to the Ti you would have also got sat-nav, reversing camera, power folding rear seats, power tailgate, driver's seat memory, keyless entry, premium Bose sound with 11 speakers, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails and fog lights.Weighing nearly 1800 kg and 4.8 metres long the Murano was large, a factor for anyone planning to use it in the city. It wasn't particularly quick off the mark and its size became evident when you had to park it.For all that it drove well, the wonderful 3.5-litre Nissan V6 always a joy to drive. In the Murano it boasted 191 kW and 336 Nm, enough to move it along at a steady clip while returning a claimed 10.9 L/100 km. There was just the one transmission on offer; that was a CVT, while the final drive was through all four wheels as needed.The CVT was rated an improvement over previous attempts at the quirky transmission, and there were six pre-set change points that made it feel more like a normal gearbox. A high driving position and good vision in all directions aided navigation around town, and with its light steering it was relatively easy to park.On the open road the Murano was benign rather than engaging, but it was comfortable and poised if lacking in agility and response.NOWGenerally the Murano is a solid and sound car that gives little trouble. The V6 engine is a jewel and widely acclaimed for its smoothness and performance, and mechanics say it's a reliable unit that rarely causes any concern providing it's serviced as recommended.The downside is the fuel consumption, which is high around town, where the weight really comes into play. Servicing is at 10,000 km intervals and missing, or delaying them is a recipe for an expensive disaster.While the engine is sound the CVT needs a thorough check to make sure all is well. CVTs have been around for a long time, but it's only relatively recently that they have been widely used. The reason is simple, it's taken many years of development to get them to a point they could be released to the general public.But even then they can give trouble, so they need to be carefully assessed before any cash changes hands. Drive the car in as many different situations as possible, at high speed, low speed, walking speed, taking off quickly, slowly, accelerating fast, accelerating steadily. All the time observe for any shuddering, jerkiness, reluctance to move, or any clunks or other noises that seem out of place.Nissan recommends the CVT oil be changed every 100,000 km and it's not to be missed. With the servicing so important it's vital that a check is made of the service record of any car under consideration for purchase. A few minutes spent checking the service record of a car could save thousands of dollars down the track.The Murano only has a braked towing rating of 1500 kg, so it's not a car to consider if you want to tow anything heavy, like a large caravan. The trade gives the Murano a big tick of approval, saying little goes wrong with them as long as they are serviced according to the recommended schedule.SMITHY SAYSIf you want a large, comfortable, stylish town wagon go no further.Nissan Murano 2009-2011Price new: $45,990 to $55,890Engine: 3.5-litre V6, 191 kW/336 NmTransmission: CVT, 4WDEconomy: 10.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door wagonVariants: ST, TiSafety: ESP, ABS, six airbagsCOMING UPDo you own a Toyota Tarago? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

For a company best known for its rugged Patrol, Nissan's "other" off-roaders have had a hard job stealing a second glance from buyers. Between them the Patrol and even mid-size X-Trail share the limelight, leaving the Dualis and Murano as second placegetters in the must-have stakes.But since the new Murano arrived just over 15 months ago, there are more on the road as families discover its attributes. Like the Dualis, it is gaining momentum among buyers. More than 3500 have been sold since it went on sale and Nissan Australia expects a solid result this year given the car has just received some new features.EQUIPMENTThe ST gets keyless entry and start, which was previously only available on the Ti. It also adds Bluetooth phone controls with steering wheel mounted switches. Like similar systems locking or unlocking the car is simply a matter of touching the door handle, and to start or stop the engine, simply push the start/stop button on the dash.The Ti now gets a large dual-panel electric sliding sunroof with a proper shade to block out harsh sunlight. The large, full-width front glass panel slides open or can be raise slightly to assist ventilation, while the rear panel is a fixed skylight, which allow plenty of light into the airy interior.Gone are the days when Nissan's interiors looked a little down-market. The Ti has soft-touch quality plastics, sensibly placed switchgear, double stitched leather and alloy highlights that impart a luxury feel.The standard kit on the Ti includes an 11-speaker Bose sound system, satellite navigation system, electric rear hatch and rear 60/40 split seatbacks that can be lowered electrically too.Other standard features include leather upholstery, an intuitive climate control system, six-spoke and 18-inch alloys. From the outside the new Murano appears to have a roof made mostly from darkened glass.BODY AND MECHANICALLittle else has changed for the Murano and the ‘sculpture in motion’ design still remains contemporary. Underneath the smooth sheetmetal is a powerful 191kW 3.5-litre V6 engine, which remains one of Nissan's best-ever engines from the VQ family.In addition to the silky V6 the Murano gets Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission which is now quicker and more intuitive. The Ti throws in electric tailgate, high-end sound system, electric raise rear seats and a reversing camera with predictive path technology. Like the X-Trail, the Murano uses Nissan's AllMode all-wheel drive system.A full suite of electronic safety systems, including electronic stability control and a rigid bodyshell earned the Murano a top safety pick award at launch from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States.DRIVINGWe kept having to recheck the fuel consumption in our Murano. After a week dicing with peak hour traffic and a cross-country burst on the freeway in the Ti the reset trip computer refused to budge off 8.5 litres/100km, no matter how unkindly the car was driven.For a big luxury off-roader, that's an impressive figure and says a lot about the combination of a CVT automatic and Nissan's superb V6 engine works. Even if the figure was a little optimistic - in our experience most trip computers are - the Murano stacks up as a reasonably economical family crossover wagon.Nissan's official fuel economy reading is a combined highway and city figure of 10.9 litres/100km so a sub-10 is likely at constant highway speeds. When we last tested it the average was 11.9 litres/100km so maybe gentle driving is the key to a frugal fuel economy figure.The V6 remains one of our favourite engines and is more than a match for the best Europeans. It's incredibly smooth and silent, yet when you call upon it to haul the car quickly, it responds easily and without drama.The CVT behaves almost like a conventional automatic but as there are no normal gearchanges – it just keeps the car on the boil. Enthusiastic drivers also get a six-speed manual mode. This gearbox is also good for economy because it allows the V6 to loaf along at highway speeds at modest revs. Where the CVT is caught out sometimes is at the traffic lights. It can hesitate ever-so-briefly but is no worse than some modern dual-clutch transmissions.For $57,890 the Ti presents a surprisingly good deal and is well equipped when lined up against its key rivals. Audi snobs will enjoy the high-end sound system. The rear parking camera is a useful addition but on an up-market model like the Ti front sensors should also be standard because it is hard to judge the protruding snout when parking.Inside the Ti is spacious and suitably well equipped for the price. The twin glass roofs add to the cabin's airy feel, particularly with the light tan leather interior. Both front and rear occupants enjoy plenty of legroom and headroom but the tapered rear end and full-size spare compromises luggage space a bit. It's a trade-off we're happy with, particularly given that full-size spares are a rare commodity among off-roaders these days. A full-size spare has become a selling point in itself.Some buyers might bypass the Murano because it only comes with five-seats, but Nissan has an answer to that with the new Dualis+2 seven-seater. However, its more direct competition like the seven-seater Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger and even the Ford Territory ace the Murano in the accommodation stakes. But the latest Ti adds some nice luxury touches to keep it in the game.THE BOTTOM LINE: Class-leading V6 and CVT make it a standout but some families might balk at the lack of seven seats.SCORE: 80/100NISSAN MURANO TiPrice: $57,890Engine: 3.5-litre V6Power: 195kW at 6000 revsTorque: 336Nm from 4400 revsTransmission: CVT automaticBody: Five-door wagonSeats: FiveDimensions: Length 4835mm, Width 1885mm, Height 1730mm, Wheelbase 2825mm, tracks front/rear 1610mm/1610mmSteering: Speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion power steeringSuspension: Independent front struts; multi-link rearFuel tank: 82 litresFuel type: Premium unleadedFuel consumption: 0.9l/100km combinedWeight: 1832kgSpare: Full-size alloyBrakes: Anti-skid all-round discsWheels: 18-inch alloysTyres: 235/65R R18Safety: Dual front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-skid brakes, brake assist, seatbelt pretensioners, anti-theft alarm, active front headrestsCO2 emissions: 261g/kmRIVALSJeep Grand Cherokee LaredoRating: Four starsPrice: $45,000Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrol, 210kW/347NmTransmission: Five-speed automaticBody: Five-door wagonThirst: 11 litres/100km 91 RON, 256g/km CO2A better dual-purpose package and there's a turbodiesel option. Land Rover Freelander 2 Rating: Three and a half starsPrice: $49,990Engine: 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol, 171kW/317NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticBody: Five-door wagonThirst: 10.7 litres/100km, 255g/km CO2Still the choice for off-road enthusiasts but doesn't have the looks.Toyota Kluger - 2003-2007Price new: $43,990 to $58,990Engine: 3.3-litre V6; 172 kW/328 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 12.3 L/100 kmBody: 5-door wagonVariants: CV, CVX, GrandeSafety: 4-star ANCAPThe safe-but-boring bet in terms of dynamics, space and resale.