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| 2010 Nissan Murano |
For 2010, the top-line Nissan Murano LE trim level is now offered with front-wheel drive -- it was previously all-wheel drive only. All Muranos get standard keyless ignition/entry, the SL gets standard roof rails and a security system, and the LE gets a standard dual-panel sunroof. The Nissan Murano has always represented something different.
The 2010 Nissan Murano is a five-passenger midsize SUV available in S, SL and LE trim levels. The SL adds foglights, roof rails, an eight-way power driver seat, powered rear seatbacks and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The Technology package adds automatic bi-xenon headlights, dual heated mirrors, automatic wipers, a power lift gate and Bluetooth. The Leather package adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver power lumbar and a four-way power passenger seat. The LE adds 20-inch wheels, the panoramic sunroof, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, heated rear seats, wood trim, an iPod interface and all the optional package content from the SL.
The Navigation package is optional on the LE and the SL with Technology package. The 2010 Nissan Murano is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all trim levels. In performance testing, an all-wheel-drive Murano went from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.
Antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, active front head restraints, front side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard across the board. In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Nissan Murano with 18-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 126 feet -- a good performance for this class.
The difference between the 2010 Nissan Murano's cabin and the previous generation is like night and day. Kids and short folks will appreciate the height-adjustable seatbelts back there, while everyone should enjoy the LE's heated rear seat. With the rear seatbacks folded, the Murano has 64 cubic feet of cargo space available, a small figure for a midsize crossover SUV.
A finely tuned suspension and responsive steering make the 2010 Nissan Murano a willing and surprisingly communicative partner in daily driving. Among midsize crossovers, the Murano is easily one of the most rewarding and involving driving.
With underpinnings based on those of the mid-size Altima sedan, the "2010 Nissan Murano" is a bit more stylish and sportier than the typical crossover vehicle. 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. Overall, the Nissan Murano is one of the best CVT-equipped vehicles TheCarConnection.com has driven, with smooth, unobtrusive operation and less of the rubber-band feel that you get with smaller engines and CVTs. Only if you drive the Murano fast on a curvy road do you miss real gears; while some other CVT vehicles, like Nissan's Maxima, offer six simulated ratios, the Nissan Murano doesn't.