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| 2009 nissan murano |
Nissan’s Murano is a mid-size crossover vehicle derived from the company’s Altima sedan. The S and SL versions come with front-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel-drive system, while the top LE version has standard all-wheel drive.
If you like the 2009 Nissan Murano, also consider:
Ford Edge
Lexus RX350
Mazda CX-7
After a model-year hiatus, the 2009 Nissan Murano returns fully redesigned. For that first quality, not much changed for the new 2009 Murano. Part of the old Murano's handling credentials came about as it shared some lineage with Nissan's athletic Altima sedan. What we notice the most on the 2009 Nissan Murano is the much nicer cabin. No doubt, Nissan's designers felt pressure to add one, as it's offered on most other competing models.
The 2009 Nissan Murano is a five-passenger, midsize crossover SUV that comes in three trim levels: S, SL and LE. Buyers have a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
The S comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, and dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, split/folding rear seat, a trip computer and a six-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer and auxiliary audio jack. The SL adds privacy glass, a power driver seat, a power return feature for the rear seats (if lowered, they return to their upright position at the touch of a button) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls. The top-shelf LE has 20-inch alloy wheels, a power lift gate, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, roof rails, automatic xenon headlights, leather upholstery, heated seats (front and rear), a power passenger seat and a pop-up cargo area organizer. Other options include a dual-panel sunroof, a hard-drive-based navigation system with digital music capability, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
The S and SL are available as either front-wheel or all-wheel drive while the LE is AWD only. In our testing of an LE, the Murano scampered to 60 mph in 8 seconds flat. Antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, active front head restraints, and side- and side curtain airbags are standard across the board.
High-quality materials and excellent fit and finish make it easy to confuse this Nissan for an Infiniti. Prepped for cargo, the Murano has 64 cubic feet available, a small figure for a midsize crossover SUV.
A re-engineered suspension with lightweight aluminum pieces and a new steering system make the 2009 Nissan Murano a willing and surprisingly communicative partner in daily driving. No doubt the combination of these chassis upgrades and a new predictive (not reactive) all-wheel-drive system (first introduced by the Nissan Rogue) contribute to the Murano's genuine agility and overall feel of predictability.
Now, Nissan's new second-generation Nissan Murano is available with footwear just as large. With spiffy new options like heated, power-folding rear seats; a power lift gate; an extra-large glass moon roof; and a 9.3-gig music hard drive, it's not like Murano buyers will feel deprived.
The Nissan Murano has decent body control, but it can feel a bit float. Maybe too strong: we averaged only 19 mpg in mostly freeway driving in our all-wheel-drive test car.
Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura admits that the new Murano is an evolutionary design; given the popularity of the original, its replacement had to be instantly recognizable.