Surprising road manners
The first thing that strikes you when driving Nissan's urban SUV is the extremely rigid chassis, a pretty rare feature in this market segment. This solid frame, combined with an all-wheel drive system and well-calibrated suspensions, allows the Murano to be driven like a car. It sticks to the road quite well and almost never suffers from bodyroll. Plus, it attacks corners with convincing authority. However, I have to say that the suspension on the high-end SE model is not properly tuned. It's too firm, especially in the back; on damaged roads, it rocks passengers and their luggage in a fairly distressing way. You would be wise to select the SL model, which benefits from near perfect suspension settings for a judicious balance of ride and handling.

Safe road manners make this Nissan a seriously worthy candidate.

I tested the Murano's 1,588-kg towing capacity by loading a small car onto an open trailer. Towing that kind of mass proved to be effortless for the Murano. I was pleasantly surprised by its neutral and predictable behavior. Moreover, with its 2,300-liter maximum cargo capacity, a pair of roof rails, various protective mats (even on the sides) and a cleverly thought out interior, the Murano is a great companion when you need versatility and functionality.

Decently-sized four-wheel disc brakes deliver fade-free, powerful yet progressive stops. Even when towing a camping trailer of nearly 1,000 kilos, the Murano comes to a full stop over a surprisingly short distance, without the help of additional brakes.

A new breed of SUVs
Some will argue, but the reality is that sport utility vehicles keep getting better with each passing year, much to the delight of their fans. The Nissan Murano is a vivid example: beautifully designed, it almost drives like any car and proves to be safer than ever. All these reasons (and more) make it a smart choice even after three years on the market.


V6-CVT combo
Road manners
Fuel economy
Cargo area


Excessive weight
High price



Ill-tuned suspension on SE model


Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux