Nissan Murano

...any self-respecting satnav. Enquiries to Nissan established that this was the very latest version of the software so that was that. It wasn't only the M6, there were roundabouts and junctions that it didn't recognise but I think that is common to many systems.

The dash always irritated me. I think they call it a floating design but I just thought it looked cheap. All of the controls did for that matter. And they were cheap. One of ...
...all felt a bit clonky. But then again I am just being pedantic, this is an incredibly well-specced car and for £30k something has to give I suppose. And quality was that thing. I worked out that a similarly specced X5 would have cost something in the region of £15k more, so you pays your money and you takes your choice.

The CVT gearbox is a thing of beauty. No gearchanges at all, it is really smooth and pretty responsive. The only ... more

I've just got rid of my Murano but I thought my comments may still be helpful to some. I could be wrong, you decide!

I was in 2 minds about getting a Murano in the first place. Before the kiddies came along I was enjoying myself with some great 2 seater top down motoring for 5 or 6 years but of course there was no space for the little 'uns so it was time to grow up and get myself something far more in keeping with my age. I could always go back to sports cars when my mid-life crisis kicks in. Either that or I could get myself a Harley. Anyway....

I fancied a 4x4. I don't know why. At the time I had no reason for one, but with a very young family I thought I felt safer in a 4x4 than I would in say a saloon. I didn't want an X5 or an ML, both seemed too obvious and in my neck of the woods every other car is a BMW or a Merc. I wanted something big that was still a little bit on the sporty side. I saw an advert for the Murano and was attracted by its looks and that's how it started.

I never tired of the looks, except looking at it from the rear. The back lights always seemed wrong to me. The front and side views though were great, especially in black. Mine had the chrome running bars resplendent with what they call "Puddle Illumination"; lights underneath the bars that come on when you unlock the car or open the doors. A natty little gimmick which I loved. Completely pointless really though. Still, kept me happy for a while. I also ordered mine in black and whilst the rear windows are black-tinted as standard I went the whole hog and got the front windows done too. So there I was, pimped and ready to go.

The spec of these things is awesome. Full leather, Bose sound, 6 disc changer, auto climate control, satnav, heated seats, xenon lights, 18"alloys, reversing camera - all standard. And that reversing camera, what a great idea. Not ground-breaking I know but I'd never had one before and frankly it's like aircon was a few years back. You never really felt the need to have it but once you did you couldn't imagine life without it. Same as dishwashers. But anyway, I digress.

So it's a great place to sit. Lots of toys to play with and I really loved Nissan's satnav. But it was so out of date. I remember driving along the M6 toll road and as far as my satnav was concerned I was driving through a field. Well I guess I was really, but that's besides the point. I don't know how long the M6 toll has been there now but it must be 3 or 4 years, certainly old enough to be on any self-respecting satnav. Enquiries to Nissan established that this was the very latest version of the software so that was that. It wasn't only the M6, there were roundabouts and junctions that it didn't recognise but I think that is common to many systems.

The dash always irritated me. I think they call it a floating design but I just thought it looked cheap. All of the controls did for that matter. And they were cheap. One of the heated seats switches lasted about 5 minutes, and it all felt a bit clonky. But then again I am just being pedantic, this is an incredibly well-specced car and for £30k something has to give I suppose. And quality was that thing. I worked out that a similarly specced X5 would have cost something in the region of £15k more, so you pays your money and you takes your choice.

The CVT gearbox is a thing of beauty. No gearchanges at all, it is really smooth and pretty responsive. The only other think I can liken it to was a mate's moped that I used to borrow when I was 16 although that never got to 60 miles an hour at all let alone doing it in under 9 seconds. But you get my point I hope. Back to the Murano! The power is great but I suppose it would be seeing as it shares the same 3.5 litre V6 engine found in the 350z, albeit de-tuned. I think the quoted 0-60 time is something like 9 seconds but it felt faster than that. You didn't want to test it too often mind you, I think in the year and a bit that I had this car it never returned more than about 18 miles to the gallon! Ouch.

I always used to think that the back seats were great, they folded flat(ish) at the touch of a button and were big and comfortable. But I never sat in the back on a journey and did get a few complaints from those that did. Maybe they just aren't as comfy as they look, but I couldn't see it. Maybe my passengers are just too bloody fussy. Most of them would have been drunk, maybe that was the problem.

Other things? Well the boot isn't quite as big as you might think, the windscreen washer bottle needed filling up every 10 minutes, the handbrake/footbrake arrangement takes some getting used to. All in all I can't really recommend this car. The green lobby will hate it and BP will love it. But sometimes you have to ignore people like me and if you really want one despite what I've said then I would recommend it. You won't regret it, not really. You know, looking back none of my criticisms really matter. Ignore everything, sit back in your pimp machine, crank up the Bose sound system and just enjoy. Just don't look at the fuel guage, or the dash, or the back lights.......  

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