Completely redesigned and upgrade for 2015, Nissan Murano gets a futuristic update inside out, from sheet metal to seats, resulting in bolder looks and a more upscale cabin.
When exterior designers at Nissan’s California studio set out to recreate the Murano, they wanted it to look like a starship. At least, that’s what one designer told us, recalling his impressions upon seeing the first-generation midsize crossover more than a decade ago. And while the Murano might not be ready for intergalactic travel, it succeeds at looking like nothing else on the road or space and the 7 seas.
All new 2015 Nissan Murano midsize crossover sport-utility seats five, with plenty of passenger and cargo space. Though it’s not a luxury crossover, the redesigned 2015 Murano looks more upscale than many of its competitors. This is especially true on the inside, where the cabin has been redesigned with higher quality materials and more modern finishes. Seats now use Nissan’s zero gravity technology, which offers a high level of support and bolstering. A new instrument cluster and the latest version of the NissanConnect interface also appear on the new Murano, and update modern new touchscreen display for cars equipped with navigation.
Cargo space is improved over the previous generation . The 2015 Murano offers 39.0 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, which Nissan claims is the roomiest in its class. Rear seats fold easily and completely flat , using either a pull-tab accessed from the second row, or using handles in the trunk. With the second row down, the Murano can hold up to 69.0 cubic feet of cargo.
New safety features also appear on the 2015 Nissan Murano, including blind spot warning, forward collision warning with emergency braking and radar-based . Some of these safety features come standard on higher trim levels, and others require the optional Technology Package.The side view is equally bold, with a sharp flowing character line that flows high above the front wheel arches and into the passenger door, then continuing straight above the door handles into the high-profile, three-dimensional tail lights. the Murano is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants.The greenhouse, or window area, is highly unique, with blacked-out C and D pillars that create an all-glass look. Back windows are framed by aggressive flowing lines that create an almost pinched shape. When we asked our space-loving designer what this was design cue was called, he didn’t have an answer.
In back, the rear window glass sharply slopes beneath the roof spoiler, creating what designers call a floating roof. High, wide rear wheel arches flow into the rear bumper. Tail lamps echo the boomerang shape of the front headlights. Dual exhaust pipes are integrated into the rear bumper, giving it a planted, symmetrical look.Front-seat storage is adequate, with two cupholders and a small covered compartment in the center console, and a wide center armrest that offers additional space. Side door pockets, however, are relatively narrow and can only fit a small water bottle. Even then, the angle of the cupholder pitches the bottle forward, making it suitable only for bottles with tightly fitting lids.
Rear seats are comfortable and offer a reasonable amount of support. There’s enough headroom and legroom for adults of practically any size, though the Murano’s 38.7 inches of rear legroom falls a couple of inches short compared to both the Ford Edge and the Toyota Venza. All three rear seats have their own headrests, which might be comfortable for backseat passengers, but unfortunately also cuts down on the driver’s rearward visibility.
Cargo space is much improved in the 2015 Murano, measuring 39.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place. That’s about on par with the Ford Edge. With the rear seats folded flat, the Murano can hold 69.9 cubic feet. Rear seats fold easily, using either a pull-tab accessed from the second row, or using handles in the trunk. Platinum trims get a power-return feature, which automatically raises the rear seats back up with the touch of a button.
Although housed in a brand new shell, the Murano’s powertrain carries over from the last generation. The 3.5-liter V6 makes 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque and is paired with a continuously variable transmission . Power is adequate for everyday driving, though we found the CVT lags a bit when we need an instant respons
Fuel economy ratings for the 2015 Nissan Murano are quite good for the class, at 21/28 mpg City/Highway for both FWD and AWD models . That’s in part due to a 146-pound weight reduction over the last generation, as well as additional aerodynamic enhancements. The 2015 Murano achieves a drag coefficient of 0.31, which is quite low for a crossover vehicle, and as Nissan loves to point out, Low rolling-resistance tires and an underbody cover also help the Murano slip through the air more easily.
Though it’s not the most capable performer when it comes to driving dynamics, the 2015 Murano is a good choice for those who want something that looks modern with a comfortable ride and a tasteful, roomy interior, without the price tag of a luxury brand.
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