Article Comments - 2009 Nissan Murano LE Full Test

43 messages, Last post on Feb 23, 2008 at 6:03 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Murano, SUV

Full Test: 2009 Nissan Murano LE - Now that the Murano has developed a loyal following, Nissan has been careful to evolve, improve and upgrade the all-new 2009 Murano without compromising the things responsible for its success. As we see it, these things have been the Murano's untraditional exterior style, its ample second-row accommodations and its engaging driving dynamics. (more)

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#34 of 43 Re: Sticker [qs933] by bkansky Jan 31, 2008 (12:31 pm)
Replying to: qs933 (Dec 28, 2007 8:52 pm) Expect higher prices than that. My 05 Murano lease is up in 1 mo so figured I'd lease new 09 LE w/ Nav. MSRP is $40K and since they are just starting to arrive dealers not inclined to deal. I really want to lease again but the money factor is way high and the monthly payment will be $150 more unless I put more money down. The cost is right up there with RX and MDX but MDX has 3 row seats I don't need and RX does not have ability to leave engine running with doors locked (true keyless entry) until 2010. Not sure when dealers will want to be competitive and deal.
#35 of 43 It Now Come Soulless! by vbhoo Feb 12, 2008 (1:54 pm)
I really wanted to like this car, but 2009 seems to have lost its automotive soul. Now, I agree that the interior seems to be more polished on the 2009 vs the 2003-7 Murano. However, the new one is dynamically a huge step backwards. I have just driven my rental replacement 09 over the same 8 hour round trip that I normally take in my 03 Murano SE, and the difference is night and day. The old one has a ride handling balance with is in between the sports package and standard BMW X5 (I have driven both on the same route), where as the new one drives like a bad combination of a low on oil Citroen and a Highlander. My 2/3 full bottle of water test showed splashes on the neck of the bottle which I have not found in any car other than an M3 and a 911 (I place the same bottle with food colored water in the cup holder in a can coozie, and I check the splashing in turns and over rough surfaces). Flat cornering no longer exists, and the steering requires small corrections constantly. This combined with the ability to steer with your pinky (no seriously you can) makes the new MO no more than a drag queen. The interior, while nice looking, has major ergonomic flaws not present in the old model or even the quirky Subaru Tribeca (my father drives on of these so I know). Real aluminum has been replaced by plastic metal or hard black plastic (or "wood" on the LE), and the new steering wheel thickness reminds me of a 1980's Ford LTD. Don't even get me started on the driving position with the front of the seat cutting off circulation below the knee (it does not adjust down all the way, and the antisubmarine bump is not well padded). The attention to detail in the design of the old interior is totally lacking. The map pockets are unusable, the console lacks felt lined the phone and change slots (what slot there is hinged for right hand drive and is shiny, hard, black plastic , the cup holder is no longer height adjustable (a 500 ml bottle of water sits too high and blocks the shifter), there is no sliding armrest (which was in every Nissan I can remember driving since 1999), cargo storage is down, and the seat releases are further forward so that you can not reach them with baggage in the cargo bay. The rear compartment is less comfortable and much more cramped; the old car had almost too much room! The visibility issue has been solved not with bigger mirrors but a concave driver side mirror (every car looks like a "wide track"). Interior durability is lacking (that new "grainer" plastic is scratched by the rental tag on the key fob), and they've mixed plastic chrome with alloy (big architectural no no there). Nissan could have gotten away with an interior makeover and modest restyle of the previous platform (as they did with the 1990's maxima and pathfinder) and still had a more compelling car. They are now selling refreshed styling on the costly new Laguna platform, and have increased the price accordingly. Carlos Ghosn is supposed to be a cost cutter, how could have have approved such a development budget. I can't wait to see what Jeremy Clarkson has to say about the new Murano, if they send it like this to the UK. He gave the old one 5 stars, but nissan took away it strengths to address (only somewhat) the only real weakness.
#36 of 43 Re: MPG [qs933] by bkansky Feb 12, 2008 (3:10 pm)
Replying to: qs933 (Dec 26, 2007 10:53 am) Read your postings on the 09 Murano. Have you had a chance to evaluate yet? I'd like to learn what you think. Have you made a decision yet on Highlander versus Murano? My lease on 05 Murano is up and I am leaning towards 09 Murano because Lexus RX does not have true keyless entry and start like the rest of their redesigned line unit 2010. But I just read very negative posting about 09 Murano from someone who owns an 03. Maybe the thing to do is to actually use one for a day or two - problem is there are so few in stock yet. Replies to this message: vbhoo (Feb 12, 2008 9:01 pm) qs933 (Feb 12, 2008 10:45 pm) qs933 (Feb 23, 2008 6:03 pm)
#37 of 43 Re: MPG [bkansky] by vbhoo Feb 12, 2008 (9:01 pm)
Replying to: bkansky (Feb 12, 2008 3:10 pm) I would call enterprise and rent one (mine is an insurance rental for the 03). If you like the way the highlander types drive, then the 09 is ok. The interior layout is sub-optimal (putting it nicely), and you have to take it to a nissan dealer vs lexus. I have driven the rx400h for about a week on vacation, and it is a much better car than the Nissan. I would assume a loaded Murano LE vs the no longer in production 08' rx350 is a close price match. The Nissan entry/key has known electric interference issues (I know of 2 m35 owners that have had issues), and the Lexus has MUCH HIGHER RESALE VALUE. Look at the true cost to own, and see if you change your mind after looking at that. I bought mine used off of my father (for book value), and he wished that he had bought the rx330 back in June of 03 when I got to write a check starting with a 1 instead of a 2 or 3.
#38 of 43 Re: MPG [bkansky] by qs933 Feb 12, 2008 (10:45 pm)
Replying to: bkansky (Feb 12, 2008 3:10 pm) I'm still on the fence between the Murano and the Highlander. I recently test drove an SL FWD with Premium, Leather, and Tech packages. The Nissan's interior is superior to the Highlander. Where the Highlander uses hard (albeit nicely textured) plastic (the dash, the upper portion of the doors), the Murano has soft-touch materials. My only disappointment was the rear center seatbelt hanging from the ceiling; I prefer the Highlander's shoulder belt integrated in the seat. I've decided that if I go with Murano, the LE is the way to go with the 20" wheels, iPod integration, memory seats, etc. My theory is that there's no sense in spending that much money and thinking about the features you didn't get. My dilemma: a Highlander Limited 2WD is roughly $2K cheaper than a Murano LE. I know it's an unfair comparison (2WD vs. AWD), but I'd prefer 2WD. I think the Highlander is also the "safer" bet -- in terms of reliability and resale. Plus, with the Murano LE approaching $40K, it makes me wonder if I should wait for the 2010 RX. Replies to this message: qs933 (Feb 23, 2008 6:03 pm)
#41 of 43 HL vs. Murano by buzzhd Feb 23, 2008 (1:11 pm)
LE Murano AWD starts at about $37K Highlander starts at $38K for 2WD Highlander requires Premium Fuel, Murano does not are you sure about those comments? If you just simply take a look at the Highlander at edmunds.com, Higherland Limited FWD starts at $32,700 while using only Regular unleaded fuel
#42 of 43 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Nissan Murano LE Full Test [09muranosales] by jmpage2 Feb 23, 2008 (10:40 am)
It's obvious you are in sales at a Nissan dealership as all you seem to do is post on here pushing the Murano. There's no doubt that the Murano is a great value but honestly having driven it and the MDX back to back there's simply no comparison in the driving department. The MDX has tight handling and a very powerful lump of a motor. It rides extremely quietly and has top notch plush leather accomodations. By comparison the Murano LE gets winded more easily during spirited driving and is much noisier. You will frequently hear the CVT hunting around for a gear, loud enough that it can easily be heard over the stereo. The handling is not very crisp with noticeably overboosted "floaty" steering at speeds under 50 mph. The interior of the Murano is a big step up from the '07 model but falls far short of the trim level found in Acura/Lexus/Infiniti vehicles. The Murano is a good value but isn't a threat to the real luxury vehicles out there.
#43 of 43 Re: MPG [09muranosales] by qs933 Feb 23, 2008 (6:03 pm)
I appreciate your response(s), but I disagree with some of your statements. Halogen lights only on the Highlander, Murano uses HID Agree. Plus, the Murano has LED tails too. More rear lift gate options (power) on the Murano Disagree. The Highlander has a power liftgate option and the Sport and Limited have a rear glass hatch as well (just the window lifts). Murano seats are more comfy (uses infiniti leather) Partially Agree. I found the Murano's seats to be slightly more comfortable and the leather slightly more soft (I question whether it's actually the same leather that Infiniti uses, though) The Murano has an auto load leveler, the Highlander does not Not sure what the auto load leveler is, but not real important to me. The Murano has ADAPTIVE CONTROL, which the Highlander does not Adaptive control of what? Is this the "proactive" AWD system? I agree, the Highlander's AWD doesn't seem to be as advanced. However, I'd actually prefer a 2WD LE (which doesn't exist) -- I can get the Highlander Limited in a 2WD model. Murano has BOSE, Highlander does not Highlander has JBL, Murano does not. Which is better? Both sounded pretty good to me (I have the optional JBL audio in my 4Runner). LE Murano AWD starts at about $37K Highlander starts at $38K for 2WD Strongly disagree. The Highlander Limited 2WD has an MSRP of around $33.5K including destination. Optioned the way I want it (and in a config that my Toyota distributor brings in), I've already received a firm quote of around $33K (including dealer-installed reverse sensors) before tax and license. Highlander requires Premium Fuel, Murano does not Disagree. According to fueleconomy.gov, the Highlander uses regular fuel. The Murano has the VQ Engine, rated one of the top 10 best engines in the world by Wards Automotive, and the Highlander cannot make that claim Agree. Can't dispute that the VQ engine is a good one, but Toyota's isn't too shabby either.