Flash Drive

2016 Nissan Murano

July 23, 2016 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD

The 2016 Nissan Murano has unique styling with strongly chiseled lines.
The 2016 Nissan Murano has unique styling with strongly chiseled lines.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 260 horsepower 240 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 21-mpg city, 28-mpg highway, 24-mpg combined

Base Price: $40,700

As Tested: $44,070

Performance:

Good power, acceleration

Classically smooth Nissan V-6

Car-like highway ride

No 4×4 specific controls

Good fuel economy for its size—our best was 25.0 mpg

The sculpted rear angle compromised vision slightly.
The sculpted rear angle compromised vision slightly.

Optional Predictive Forward Collision Warning

Optional Forward Emergency Braking

Standard Blind Spot Warning

Standard Cross Traffic Alert

Standard Moving Object Detection

Comfort:

Stretch-out driver legroom

Super stretch-out front passenger legroom

Excellent shoe room under dashboard

Three temp heated and cooled front seats

Spacious rear seat

Rear seat room and comfort are excellent.
Rear seat room and comfort are excellent.

Flat floor

Two-temperature outboard seating positions

Reclining rear seatbacks

Nice interior materials

Driver power lumbar

Power passenger seat, but no lumbar adjustment

Thick, slightly contoured, heated leather steering wheel

Power tilt/telescopic

Average auxiliary controls

Utility:

Power liftgate

Power folding split rear seats

Voice recognition for audio and navigation

The power liftgate opens to a large cargo area with a flat deck.
The power liftgate opens to a large cargo area with a flat deck.

Flat cargo floor

No lift-over

Long shallow bin under cargo deck

Very deep center console bin

Shallow, not very big front door bins

Sliding sun visors

Extra open storage on console sides

Large, locking glovebox, but difficult access

Two seatback pouches

Soft rear armrest with cupholders

Small, shallow rear door bins

LED headlights and taillights

WOW Factors:

Great, NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats

Zero-gravity seats are wonderful. The dash is sculpted like the exterior.
Zero-gravity seats are wonderful. The dash is sculpted like the exterior.

Lots of standard (and optional) high-tech safety features

Great panoramic moonroof

Power fold and retract rear seats

Easy to see A-pillar blind spot indicators

Whines:

Styling is somewhat polarizing

We like the rear ¾ view better than the front

Audio volume control on steering wheel awkward

Glovebox way under lower curve of dashboard

Bottom Line:

The radically styled 2016 Nissan Murano is all about comfort and space. The swoopy, plush interior is a highlight. Ride and handling are more on-road than off, which suits most buyers.