2005 Nissan Murano Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

A lower-priced model and new optional features highlight 2005 for this car-type SUV. Based on Nissan's Altima sedan platform, Murano is a 5-passenger wagon with no 3rd-row seating. An entry-level S model joins the SL and top-line SE versions for '05. All use a 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable automatic transmission providing a near-infinite range of gear ratios. SEs include a manual-shift mode with preset "gears." All models offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; AWD lacks low-range gearing, though a console button can lock in a 50/50 power split for extra traction up to 30 mph. All Muranos come with ABS, front torso side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags. Added for '05 is a rollover sensor designed to trigger the curtain airbags if a tip is imminent. All models have 18-inch wheels and a rear liftgate with fixed glass. SEs come with a firmer suspension and xenon headlamps. Antiskid/traction control is available. So is a navigation system, which now adds a camera that uses the navigation screen to display a rear view when backing up. Also new is a keyless access and starting option available for SL and SE. Other options include power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and rear DVD entertainment.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, and Toyota 4Runner.

News

Sources say this crossover will get interior upgrades for 2006. Murano is one of several newer Nissans criticized by press and public alike for low-buck cabin materials and, in some cases, weirdo design features. Nissan is moving fast to answer the complaints. Specifics on Murano updates should be available soon, so keep checking back with us. Otherwise, no big changes are expected for awhile.

2005 Nissan Murano Road Test

Pros	Cons

CVT performance	Instruments/controls

Passenger and cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	4.9

Among quickest 6-cyl midsize SUVs. Test AWD SL did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph. Murano is without peer for smooth, quick throttle response. Credit the CVT, which allows engine to rev up quickly for more power and transfers it seamlessly. CVT behaves so well that manual shift gate seems unnecessary. Towing capacity is 3500 lb.

Fuel Economy

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5	3.9

Test 2WD Muranos averaged 19.6-20.1 mpg in mixed city/highway driving--quite good for a V6 midsize SUV. Test AWD model averaged 16.3 in mostly city driving. Nissan recommends 91-octane fuel.

Ride Quality

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5.1

Abrupt only on sharp potholes, protruding tar strips. Rarely unsettled by larger pavement waves. Stable in highway-speed cruising. Little discernible difference with SE's sport-tuned suspension.

Steering/Handling/Braking

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	3.8

No undue lean or noseplow, but slight tendency to skip sideways in bumpy corners. SE's sport-tuned suspension gives slightly sharper turn-in, but makes little difference in overall handling. Steering accurate, has good feedback, but some testers find it too heavy at low speeds.

Quietness

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	4.8

Engine subdued except in full-throttle acceleration. Road noise unobtrusive. Some test vehicles had higher levels of wind noise; others a few interior squeaks and rattles. All suffered loud buffeting above 50 mph with sunroof open.

Controls

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	6.3

Audio, trip-computer readouts display on dashtop screen, several inches from actual controls. Not all testers like this layout or find amber instrument lighting legible. Controls easy to reach and use, though trip-computer and navigation-system buttons oddly mounted on horizontal dashboard shelf. Navigation option takes learning, but doesn't absorb--and thus complicate--audio and climate adjustments. Genuine aluminum trim on console and dash, but some interior plastics look low buck.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Large-adult room and comfort, but wide seatbacks have subpar side bolstering, so fabric upholstery grips better than leather in turns. Power-seat switches are on seat bolster near thigh--awkward for some. Nicely elevated field of vision to front and sides; large mirrors aid lane changes. Upswept rear roof pillars, smallish rear window cut into view astern.

Room/Comfort (rear)

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6.2

Great leg, toe room. Good head clearance on nicely padded, chair-height seat with reclining backrest. Three adults are a bit squeezed, but nearly flat floor helps middle passenger. Hard-to-reach floor-level cupholders slide from bottom of front console. Small map pockets. No-hassle entry/exit through wide doors, front and rear.

Cargo Room

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	7.8

Liftgate easy to open and close. Flat passage from bumper into cargo bay. Roofline cuts into cargo volume. No need to remove rear headrests to drop seatbacks, which fold via levers at rear of cargo bay, though they can't be raised from there. Nearly flat load floor with rear seats folded. Added storage under floor in shallow bin and deeper cubbies. Center console has cell phone slot and bilevel storage. Shape of front cupholders makes it hard to extract all but tall containers.

Value within Class

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7	5.6

You may not love the design, but at least Murano brings some style to the conservative world of the family SUV. Its tangible assets include secure handling, good utility, and a strong, efficient V6/CVT powertrain. Competitive pricing rounds out this Recommended pick's dossier.

Total Score

AWD SL	2WD SE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
61	61	55.1

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		55
High Score		67

2005 Nissan Murano Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/26/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD S 4-door wagon	$27,150	$24,967	$580

AWD S 4-door wagon	$28,750	$26,439	$580

2WD SL 4-door wagon	$28,650	$26,346	$580

AWD SL 4-door wagon	$30,250	$27,818	$580

2WD SE 4-door wagon	$29,600	$27,220	$580

AWD SE 4-door wagon	$31,200	$28,692	$580

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 4-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, aluminum interior trim, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, rear spoiler.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

235/65R18 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

SL adds to S:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 10-way power driver seat, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, universal garage-door opener, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

SE adds to SL:

Powertrain

Manual-shift capability.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Bi-xenon headlights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Sport suspension, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Convenience Pkg.
S	$800	$694
10-way power driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, front seatback pockets, cargo cover and net, roof rails.

Premium Pkg.
SL, SE	$1,500	$1,301
Power-adjustable pedals, Bose AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, cargo cover and net, roof rails.

Leather Pkg.
SL, SE	$3,500	$3,036
Premium Pkg. plus leather upholstery, 4-way passenger seat, power sunroof, unique bumpers.

Sunroof Pkg.
SL, SE	$2,500	$2,168
Premium Pkg. plus power sunroof.

Touring Pkg.
SL	$4,550	$3,947
SE	$4,250	$3,687
Leather Pkg. plus heated front seats and mirrors, memory system (driver seat, pedals, mirrors), keyless access and starting, bi-xenon headlights w/manual levelizer (SL).

Dynamic Control Pkg.
SL, SE	$750	$651
Antiskid system, traction control, tire-pressure monitor. Requires Touring Pkg.

Technology Pkg.
SL, SE	$2,350	$2,039
Navigation system, rearview camera. Requires Touring Pkg.

Tow Pkg.
S, SE, SL	$590	$494
Class II receiver hitch, ball mount.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
SL, SE	$1,720	$1,366
Requires Touring Pkg.

Satellite radio
S, SE, SL	$400	$347
Requires monthly fee.

Woodgrain interior trim
SL	$100	$86


Floormats
S, SE, SL	$90	$68


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack
S, SE, SL	$190	$146
S requires Convenience Pkg. SL, SE require Touring Pkg.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Chrome alloy wheels
SL, SE	$1,200	$878
Requires Touring Pkg.

2005 Nissan Murano Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Nissan Murano 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	111.2

Overall Length, in.	187.6

Overall Width, in.	74.0

Overall Height, in.	66.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3955

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	81.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	21.7

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.4

Rear Head Room, in.	39.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /214

Horsepower @ rpm.	245 @ 5800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	246 @ 4400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

CVT automatic	20/24

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Nissan Murano 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	Optional/--	Extra charge Security Plus plan.

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2005 Nissan Murano Photos

Also in the 2005 Nissan Murano Review:

Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano Road Test

Nissan Murano Prices & Equipment

Nissan Murano Specs & Safety

Nissan Murano Photos

Nissan Murano Full Review

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