If the 2009 Nissan Murano looks a bit like a space-age time travel machine to you, you’re not going crazy.
With the redesign of this crossover SUV icon, Nissan actually skipped the 2008 model entirely and fast-forwarded to next year. If you show up to a Nissan dealership today and ask to test drive a new Murano, you’ll have the option of the all-new ‘09 iteration and, possibly, some leftover ’07s. Wrap your head around that one.
Well, don’t stress over it too long, because the new 2009 Murano is, in every aspect, an improvement on the original that captured the hearts of many a fashionista soccer mom when it debuted in 2003. Hop in as we take this sexy hunk of metal for a spin around the block.
Unlike many Nissan products that have recently undergone significant design changes (see: Sentra, Pathfinder, Altima), the distinctive Murano shape has remained very much the same, with the most notable exterior differences being the headlights (now quad-projection) and taillights (now a stacked LED setup), which seem like they were changed primarily to impart a family resemblance between the Murano and its little brother, the Nissan Rogue, which debuted last year with similar light housing designs.
You do get some sassy upgrades on the surface though, like optional 20″ wheels (which are beautiful by the way), and a dual-panel moonroof, which was pretty much the only card the Ford Edge was holding over the Murano until now.
Now that we’ve got all the eye candy aside, it’s time to turn the key… although it actually has Nissan’s Intelligent Key and push-button ignition setup; as long as the key is on your person, you can leave it in your pocket(book) when opening doors or starting the car. A luxurious touch indeed.
Under the hood, we’re looking at 20 more horsepower than the previous model’s 245, being churned out of the same Nissan V6 that has been on Ward’s Ten Best Engines list for an astounding 13 consecutive years. Combining that with all-wheel drive capability and Nissan’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gives the Murano a truly awesome powertrain setup.
It’s not a cliche to say that the new Murano drives like an extension of yourself. Like most crossovers, you don’t squat down or jump up to get in the car; the seat is at a perfect height to simply slide into. Push the start button (remember, no key), get on the road, and you’ve got a comfortable and plush drive ahead of you. It’s a nimble SUV based on the Altima car platform, so maneuvering is a snap and the feedback is very confident. But if you need the power, for whatever reason, it is definitely there, and gets delivered seamlessly through the CVT while the dual exhaust note lets the people outside know you’ve got something going on under the bonnet. Just seems like a perfectly balanced vehicle to drive.
What I found most intriguing was that, after seeing all the new features, feeling the power increase, and enjoying the upgraded interior (which was chock full of gadgets like BlueTooth® and rear-view camera), I recalled that the 2009 Murano is actually coming in $1,500 lighter than the previous base model. There’s no doubt that Nissan is going for the jugular by skipping to the next model year and cutting the sticker price, which is all the better for Mr. Consumer. Taking all that into account, it’s fair to say the 2009 Nissan Murano should be on your short list if you’re in the market for a crossover SUV. See more at NissanUSA.com.
DealerDex New Car Reviews are conducted at participating dealerships. We’d like to thank Nissan Of Bergenfield, in Bergenfield NJ, for assisting us in the demonstration of the 2009 Nissan Murano.
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