Costa Mesa, CA – The SUV/Crossover marketplace has taken a hit (to say the least) over the past few months due to the high price of gas initially and in more recent times the credit crunch (as has the entire automobile industry).  These vehicles offer an astounding range of capabilities, levels of refinement, sportiness, varying levels of off-road ruggedness, and clever packaging to fit just about any need a consumer may have and I’ve reviewed several for you over the past few months.  I’ve found that, in general, they live up to the expectation of being a comfortable way to move people and “stuff” around.

I was granted a week with the new for 2009 Nissan Murano, back after a model year off to undergo some cosmetic surgery, the LE AWD version to be exact.   A handsome vehicle it has always been and for 2009 the fully redesigned model stays true to its original form but with a more modern look to the exterior and the interior has been completely upgraded to an almost Infiniti-like level of comfort and luxury.   

 All 2009 Murano trim levels (S, SL, and LE) are powered by the same 3.5 Liter DOHC V6 delivering 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft torque delivered to either the front or all four wheels via a very smooth Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) .  The S and SL are front drivers with the option of adding AWD and the LE trim level is AWD only.  

                Driving a CVT equipped automobile was a new experience for me and I have to say, in a vehicle of this nature, I enjoyed it.  Very smooth power delivery and unless you are standing on the go pedal all the time, pretty good fuel economy.  In smooth driving, up and down shifts are hardly discernible. 

                The Merlot colored Murano you see pictured came very well equipped.Standard equipment on the top of the line LE AWD is extensive and way too long to list it all, but a few of the items are 20-inch alloy wheels with Titanium finish, dual exhaust with chrome finishers, power liftgate, rearview camera, iPod connector, Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio, handsome interior wood trim, fog lights, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear heated seats, dual-zone climate control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, auto up/down for all windows, start button, and a “why have they not thought of this before” foldable cargo carrier in the

back hatch.  That’s a lot of stuff and still not the complete list. 
                Base for the Murano LE AWD is $37,260.  Optional equipment of splash guards, floor mats, the Nissan navigation system which includes the Bose Audio System and a very cool dual panel moon roof brings the total sticker to $41,205.00.    
                Fuel economy is on par with the competition in this segment.  Rated at 18 City and 23 Highway for a combined of 20 MPG and that is exactly what I averaged over 325 miles of mixed driving conditions.  
                Speaking of competition the Murano has some very good, sporty, fun-to-drive, mid-size crossovers to battle with, the Ford Edge, the Mazda CX-7, Toyota Highlander and Subaru’s Forester 2.5XT come to mind for comparisons.
                 The interior is the area that really shines as much improved.  The leather and heated seats are bolstered enough to keep you from sliding around but you don’t feel like you are being bear hugged all the time, the bottom cushion is a little on the flat side but not uncomfortable.  The ergonomics of the controls is well thought out and the Nav system is easy to use.  The padding is properly placed for the elbow on the inside door handle and against the lower dash for your right knee to rest against and soft touch materials throughout the cabin.  The upper dash is vast, almost mini-van like and meets the windshield way up in front of you so mounting anything like a radar detector at the base of the windshield makes for quite a reach to turn anything up there on or off and it is sculptured in a manner that nothing will stay put as there is no really flat surface over that expansive area.
                The overall driving impression I came away with was one of inspired confidence in the vehicle underneath me.  Not the kind of confidence that a sports car impresses on its driver when apexes are tackled perfectly and the power is put down at precisely the right time exiting a corner, but the confidence that I would always be comfortable and in control, and four of my friends and their stuff could jump in at anytime for a road trip and they too would be comfortable and we would swiftly and safely arrive at our destination no worse for wear. 

Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.