Flagship. Yes Yes Yes. It's hard for Nissan marketers to argue. The new large Murano, which has just arrived in Russia, really seems to be something that can decorate ... well, for example, a rich lineup. Auto-mobile-cover. Crossover mascot. Yes, someone's drooling will flow.
Nissan has the Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder, Patrol and some in stock. But the new Murano will be the flagship of the crossover line, leaving the purely off-road theme to the premium Patrol cabinet.
And this is smart. Murano settled in Russia not for the sake of off-road adventures - its all-wheel drive with a plug-in tail “gets fat” automatically, and not at the will of the owner. And among the electronic chips there are none that would encourage you to move off the asphalt. The main thing in a large “parquet” from Nissan is a first-class move, softness and comfort, which you want to distribute as an essence to other cars of the class.
Did I tell you something new about the car? Hell no. Almost all the components of Murano's success as a car have long been known. Soft suspension has become the hallmark of the first-generation model with the face of Slowpoke. Motors (we’ll get back to them) are far from a feature, and even the Zero Gravity branded “space” seats, which make it possible to sit in an anatomically correct position, Nissan has already offered as an option on the Teana sedan and on the X-Trail. But it's the combination of these things in one big car that makes this very car potentially cool. And refinement and adaptation turn a potential “class” into a real one.
I can’t believe my ears, but the American suspension settings definitely didn’t suit the Russian Nissan. Our Murano was supposed to get a more assembled, tenacious chassis, so when adapting the technicians, they first decided on the type of settings they were looking for, and then went to the suppliers for the necessary set of components. Do you understand? The Russian Qashqai has become more interesting as a result of softening the chassis of a European car, and the new Murano, which is now assembled near St. Petersburg, will become cooler due to getting rid of the original American softness.
In driving, the crossover is really cool. Throw him a hundred turns, and he responds with a chic move, in which comfort does not argue with handling, and information does not melt somewhere along the way from the wheels to the leather steering wheel. The Murano's premium quality, as farfetched as the term may seem, lies precisely in the feel of driving this large machine. In this situation, it is easy to imagine a person on the back sofa, relaxing after everyday hassle - there is a lot of space prepared for this, its own profiled sofa with the same Zero Gravity technology and a pair of optional monitors in the headrests of the front seats.
Opponent - Audi Q5
The first person Nissan wants to challenge to a duel. Pure premium. Know comments...
And yet, in most cases, children will ride behind, and the same person will receive his dose of relaxation and sitting behind the wheel. For the ergonomics of the Murano cabin, you can safely slap the “five”. Yes, in contrast to the cool, almost sports car appearance (remember the 2013 Resonance superconcept?) with a floating roof, nothing floats anywhere in the cabin, but it doesn’t float either. The detailing is quite earthy and resembles other models of the alliance. For example, I see Infiniti knobs, but I don't see or find the necessary seat adjustments or rear window closers. Little things? Well, perhaps.
The isolated cabin perfectly hides external sounds. Because 249 forces of a 3.5-liter V6 petrol feel only to the touch. The motor can not be called new, but due to the settings it continues to be nimble, supplying the 1.9-ton crossover with more than decent dynamics with a cool pedal response. An alternative to gasoline is gasoline with electricity: in the Murano Hybrid version there are two engines (supercharged gasoline and electric), but the total 254 forces will not gain points either in acceleration (8.3 vs. 8.2) or in consumption (minus one and a half liters). But Nissan isn't counting on the hybrid hype. First of all, they are interested in an honest gasoline version - it is with the V6 that you can get a mono-drive Murano. It will have everything the same, including a rich basic package. And there won't be too much. An option that definitely arouses interest.
TEXT: KONSTANTIN NOVATSKY
Nissan owners will easily recognize the black oval key. However, unlike other models of the brand, there are not three, but four buttons. The new Murano is in trend and therefore has acquired a standard remote engine start. All other buttons have a standard purpose: unlock, lock the doors or activate the electric tailgate.
The arrival of the third generation Nissan Murano in the countries of the post-Soviet space turned out to be as unexpected as it was large-scale: the American “vegetable” was seriously adapted to our conditions, the car passed the expensive certification of the ERA-GLONASS system, and full-cycle production was set up at the Nissan plant in St. Petersburg . Do you feel a trick? And he is.
The catch is in the illogical situation. And the illogicality is that such a large-scale offensive is logical when introducing inexpensive mass models to the market: Nexias, Logans or Accents, in a word, all those cars that will be sold in tens of thousands a month, and people will stand behind them in queues for several months. The inconsistency in our case is obvious: Murano is a rather expensive model and without five minutes of premium.
However, whether a person will be perplexed or rejoice at the appearance of a localized Nissan Murano depends heavily on who he is in life (as they say in certain circles): a pessimist, an optimist or a realist. I've been in all of these roles in turn and I'll tell you that everyone perceives the new Nissan Murano in their own way.
The 350Z coupe inspired the design of the front and rear boomerang lights. By the way, all cars have LED headlights.
In expensive versions, the side mirrors are stuffed to capacity with electronics - a turn signal, an all-round camera and an indication of the dead zone monitoring system
All machines have 235/55 R20 tires, and only the MID version has basic 18-inch wheels (235/65 R18)
The "floating" roof and the "rise" of the window sill line are one of the most emotional design elements.
Rectangular exhaust pipes look very dynamic...
However, the exhaust system itself greatly limits the off-road capabilities of the car.
Priority design
Nissan is very proud that much of the ideas behind the Resonance concept have made it to the production version of the new Murano. The exterior design is based on the V-Motion concept, i.e. dynamic lines that radiate from the V-shaped grille and permeate the entire car.
The pessimist begins...
The pessimist in me was the first to wake up, and this happened after it became known that the third generation of the crossover would begin to be produced in full cycle at the Nissan Manufacturing Rus plant near St. Petersburg. Well, this car does not fit into the market! Even in the past well-fed years, Murano was a niche model (as marketers and PR people like to say), that is, the popularity of the car was a little higher than the plinth (as the people interpret these words), and even in the current difficult time, it is not at all clear what to count on with such a model. The sad fate immediately comes to mind, which did not last long on the conveyor of the Russian factory and was sent home to mournful music. And against the background of leaving the CIS market and the start of production of the Murano model, it looks like a rather strange decision - the Juke / Patrol couple is much more popular, and if anyone is returned to the market, then this is her.
Why Murano and not Juke? This question must have been asked by any market-savvy person. It's simple, the plant in Kamenka is not suitable for the production of Dzhuk, and Murano, which shares the platform with the Teana and Pathfinder models, is another matter.
Looking around the Murano with the eyes of a pessimist and feeling it with my own hands, I could not help but note the voracious power unit (we are talking about a 3.5-liter engine), the uselessness of the hybrid version (what kind of savings is there if this is the most expensive version, the price of which is a third higher than the cost the initial version), as well as strange savings in small things (lack of automatic mode for passenger windows, for example). Then, not the most spacious interior with such dimensions, a light finish that collects dirt, and a clear discrepancy between aggressive appearance and a powerful engine, on the one hand, and ordinary, if not boring, handling, on the other, came into view.
The salon has two trim options: beige leather (“cashmere”) and black (“graphite”). The first is more elegant, and the second is more practical.
The steering wheel of the new Murano, like on some other cars, is littered with slippery buttons that are not very convenient to use.
Nevertheless, the logic of their location is simple and clear: multimedia on the left, cruise control on the right
I liked the instrument panel: the main analog dials are simple and intuitive, and everything you need can be displayed on the 7-inch color display.
After about 100 km behind the wheel, you notice that the CVT has a manual mode. You ask the question "why?" and keep ignoring it. Transmission is too good without it
All Russian Muranos have a push-button start, and the car itself does not seem to have a place for an ignition key at all.
Heated front seats are on all cars, and ventilation is provided only for the two most expensive
Nissan is often surprised by the illogical placement of the onboard computer keys, but on Murano only the reset button is hidden under the steering wheel. But the tailgate electric drive is already in the “base”, and the heated steering wheel is on all versions, except for the initial one.
Nissan Murano was one of the first to receive the ERA-GLONASS system
Calm within
Like its predecessor, the Murano's interior is much quieter than its exterior. Smooth lines and traditional solutions prevail here. The eye catches only between the front seats armrest, which has separate pillows for the driver and passenger, as well as a compartment for the remote control in the rear.
Ultimately, all claims come down to the question: why is it so expensive, if for the same money I can buy a car bigger, more spacious and more passable? Of course, the low level of salaries in the country also contributed to the grumbling of the pessimist, which, if anything can be compared with anything, is with meager sales (only 58 crossovers were sold in Kazakhstan in 2014-2015). And then I slept, ate, and the pessimist in me gave way to the optimist.
...the optimist continues...
Let the impracticality of the Nissan Murano be noticeable to the naked eye of a person suffering from myopia, but we only live once, and therefore the arguments of an optimist seem much more weighty than the whining of a pessimist. At a time when distributors are rapidly reducing the number of models available for sale, the appearance of such a bright car for the Nissan brand is akin to a miracle. Even the color palette of this car is half of the non-banal options: orange, dark blue and taupe. For optimists of the highest rank, this alone will be enough to make an advance payment and, with bated breath and stop eating, wait for the Murano to appear in the showrooms.
The car really turned out to be interesting, and the similarity of the production car with the Resonance concept car also has a practical application in the form of a decent, by crossover standards, drag coefficient of 0.31. To understand: this is the level of such cool cars as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari California. Well, let all these machines generate an order of magnitude more downforce. However, you are right, we played too much here, optimism is good, but it's time to move on to more mundane things.
For two days of driving around the Kaliningrad region, the ZeroGravity seats did not cause any complaints. Deprived of any hint of sport and having an unrecorded number of seat adjustments, they easily adjusted to the figure and did not tire on the road. Good and color 7-inch screen on the instrument panel. Having rummaged through the settings, you can display all the necessary data, including navigation, on it. Yes, as on all modern Nissans, the navigation system will work on the territory of Kazakhstan. Moderate electrification (mirrors, heated seats and tailgate) has already become the norm, but still causes positive feelings, and not only among optimists. Small buns are also good in the form of all-round cameras, remote engine start and a full-size spare wheel on a disk, identical to the main wheels.
The front seats are made without any hint of active driving, but are very comfortable and in corners do not cause a desire to scold overweight Americans.
The same applies to the rear seat as to the front seats. Is that the feeling of spaciousness behind a little more
All cars have power adjustments for both seats.
The central tunnel is also curious because the traction battery is hidden on the hybrid. On such machines, the box between the seats is very tiny.
The climate control unit for the rear passengers is almost premium, but the rear sofa is not heated on the starting version
Beautiful or non-marking
As you already know, there are exactly two interior design options for the new Murano: light and dark, beautiful or non-staining. The beige leather interior is very pleasant, it is not for nothing that it was captured on the factory photos. But in Kazakhstan they love black interiors and often bring cars with a bright interior only to order.
And even a realist can be trusted to talk about how a pair of motors and a box works smoothly, how a hodovka perceives Russian roads through 20-inch wheels.
Each monitor
The top versions of the Nissan Murano, and only such cars were on the driving presentation, flaunt an entertainment complex for second-row passengers. Displays with an HDMI connector and a remote control are mounted in the headrests of the front seats. Taking into account the display on the instrument panel and the multimedia screen, it turns out that everyone has their own monitor in the car. You're not going to stuff a full cabin and travel in this car five of us, right?
... and the realist sums up
After weighing all the pros and cons, as well as having driven about 200 km, the realist is inclined to side with the optimist and recognize the car as worthy of attention. And the main argument is the whole image of the model. At the beginning of 2015, a rolly and soft-bodied American crossover fell into the hands of Russian engineers, and seven months later a car appeared that was perfectly adapted to domestic roads. Even on low-profile tires, Murano does not resemble a stool with wheels screwed to it, although the suspension still works out large irregularities noisily, at such moments its modest moves are acutely felt. The crossover is sometimes harsh, but it doesn’t reach the hysterical transmission to the cabin of all the details of the road, so in general the suspension does its job well.
But sound insulation is good, and especially the tandem of a 3.5-liter engine and a new variator. At first it seems strange that the car can be spurred only by the manual mode of the variator. Despite modern fashion, there are no modes of operation of the power unit, but in fact a manual mode is not needed either. For a long time I did not come across a car whose power unit suited me right away. Although, perhaps, the whole point is that the new Murano sets up for a measured ride, and in this mode, the expectations are lower. Big expense? Come on, 11.2 liters, obtained on a car with a 249-horsepower engine, is not that much even for driving mainly on the highway.
The power tailgate is present in all versions, and you can activate it with the keys on the door itself (inside and out), on the key fob and the driver's seat
If you fold the rear seat backs, then the total volume of the trunk will be 1.6 cubic meters. Not a class record either.
The rear seatbacks can be folded down by pulling the trunk handle, and the electric drive, which is activated by a button, will help return them to their original position.
The main feature of the trunk is a full-size spare wheel on an alloy wheel.
On the sides of the main underground there are small niches for small things.
Pockets on the sides of the central tunnel look stylish, but in reality are not very practical.
Almost a cross coupe
Theoretically, the Nissan Murano can be classified as a fashionable class of coupe-crossovers today. Loading the trunk under the roof here will not work either. Apart from this fact and a modest 454 liters (for a 4.9-meter car) volume, the trunk is good, and the additional amenities are very relevant.
Chips
—ERA-GLONASS system
—20" spare tire on alloy wheel
—remote engine start
In general, it seems that the main task of the new Nissan Murano is to relieve the driver’s nerves as much as possible, smoothing out all the corners in the life of a motorist, but at the same time, others should not think that a pensioner is driving, as is the case with Volvo cars. Why do you need the third row, friend? You don't think you can take your neighbors with you on a picnic, do you? The trunk is small, but in 95% of life situations it will definitely be enough. And if numerous relatives arrive for the holidays with a brood of children and a dozen suitcases, then in any case they will have to call a taxi, or even more than one. Off-road? Why else is this?! Judging by the absence of any possibility to control the transmission, openwork, but completely unviable hanging under the bottom of the exhaust system, and other pieces of iron, the “knead the dirt” option for this machine was not discussed even at the approval of the project.
Murano is clearly not designed for regular off-road trips, nevertheless, the crossover is quite capable of driving on the sand
Despite the fact that the third generation turned out to be a success, the pessimist is disgraced, but we are definitely not in danger of universal muranization. Prices are not even for a good car. However, there is one option how the Japanese can wall up the market. When calculating Kazakh prices, all you need to do is turn on the “time machine” mode and first convert rubles into dollars at the current rate, then it turns out that the front-wheel drive Murano costs $38,000, and then calculate the tenge price at the rate of three years ago, when the dollar cost 185 tenge. The resulting 7 million tenge (this is how much simple versions of compact crossovers now cost) will definitely allow for a general muranization. But this heresy, alas, has nothing to do with the real state of affairs, and such pricing is as fantastic as it is tempting. What will be the reality, we will soon find out, the cost of Murano in Kazakhstan is about to be announced.
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History milestones
Nissan Murano first appeared before the general public in April 2002 at the New York Auto Show, where the Japanese presented the serial version of the crossover (Z50). Focused primarily on the North American market, the car was based on the FF-L light platform. The power unit was the only one (3.5-liter gasoline V6 with a capacity of 245 hp and a variator), but the drive could be either front or full.
2003
2003- Nissan Murano (Z50) first generation
2003- Nissan Murano (Z50) first generation
2008
2008- Nissan Murano (Z51) second generation
2008- Nissan Murano (Z51) second generation
2010- Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Z51) second generation
2015
2015- third generation Nissan Murano
2015- third generation Nissan Murano
(Z51) debuted in the fall of 2007 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The concept of the car has not changed, as well as the technology (front or all-wheel drive, CVT and the same engine, but brought to 265 hp), but later various versions began to appear. For Europe, Nissan prepared a car with a 2.5-liter diesel engine (190 hp), a version with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine (170 hp) was available in the domestic market, and the most interesting option was the two-door Murano CrossCabriolet with a soft top that appeared in 2010 year.
The third generation of the car was preceded by the Nissan Resonance concept car, presented at the beginning of 2013 in Detroit, and in the spring of 2014 the production version of the third generation Murano (Z52) debuted. According to the concept, there are no revolutionary changes again, but for the first time the car received a hybrid version, and the production of the crossover was launched in the USA, China and Russia. The first serial copies were produced in the American Canton in the same year, in the spring of 2015 the production of the crossover began at a Chinese plant, and in the early summer of this year, the new Murano stood on the conveyor of the Nissan Manufacturing Rus plant in Kamenka near St. Petersburg.
Market today
in Russia - 2,460,000 rubles, or $38,000
Nissan Murano starting price in Belarus - 75,147 Belarusian rubles, or $38,400
Classmates
The third generation Nissan Murano found itself on the market between classes. 4.9-meter length, powerful 6-cylinder engine and price make the car related to mid-size crossovers. On the other hand, a strictly five-seat interior makes the car a competitor to more compact SUVs, which also often have versions with a V6 engine.
Equipment
The cars presented at the driving presentation, by tradition, were in the most expensive Top trim levels. In total, four levels of equipment are available to customers: Mid, High, High + and the same Top. As you can see, the entry-level Base, Welcome or Comfort is not on the list, and this is no accident. The Mid package has a very, very decent list of options: a full set of airbags, rain and light sensors, keyless entry to the cabin and push-button engine start, ZeroGravity power and heated leather seats, 2-zone climate control, power tailgate, rear camera look, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. More expensive versions differ only in the number of heated elements (steering wheel and rear seats), the presence of ventilation of the front seats, the size of the central monitor (8 inches instead of 7), the size of the wheels (20 inches), the number of cameras (4), the presence of electronic assistants, various lights , memory seats and controls. The only thing that stands out is the Top version, which flaunts an entertainment system, two monitors in the headrests of the front seats, wireless headphones and a remote control.
Zero Gravity Seats
One of the features of the new Nissan Murano that its creators are proud of is the ZeroGravity seats. The essence of the development is to provide the driver and passengers with a posture of minimal fatigue, for which NASA research was used. Work on gravity-free seats began back in 2005, and in 2013 the development was put into mass production on the Nissan Altima sedan. The creators claim that such seats provide a 50% reduction in driving fatigue. Like it or not, I can’t say, but landing in the new Murano is really comfortable.
Range of motors
For the first time, buyers of "white" Nissan Murano crossovers in Kazakhstan have a choice of powertrain: either a traditional 3.5 petrol engine or a benzo-electric hybrid. The first option is already well known to us: this is the V-shaped “six” VQ35DE with a volume of 3,498 cubic meters. see with distributed injection and variable valve timing. In the Russian specification, the motor develops 249 hp. With. and 325 Nm (for the sake of Russian tax rates, power is reduced, in North America the same engine produces 264 hp) and is aggregated only with a V-chain variator with seven virtual gears.
The second option is a tandem of a 2.5-liter supercharged QR25DE gasoline engine (234 hp, 330 Nm) and a synchronous electric motor (20 hp, 160 Nm) mounted in a CVT. All this is complemented by a tiny lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 0.63 kWh, so the total power of the power plant is 354 hp. With. and 368 Nm.
Hybrid for image
Is the motor too greedy? Do you want savings? Then try a hybrid. Well, have you tried it? Did you like it? That's it! It seems to me that this is the most logical explanation of why there is a hybrid version in the model line of this car. Under equal conditions, the Hybrid 2.5 CVT version turned out to be about a liter more economical, which is unlikely to justify the almost $ 6,000 overpayment (perhaps it is better to buy a funny one with this money and park it in the entrance). No other benefits were noted. The tiny battery makes it impossible to drive on electric power alone, and as the speed increases, the hybrid becomes not as responsive as the V6 option. The declared power of the hybrid power plant is 234 hp. with., but some of these horses are by no means busy with the acceleration of the car. Tax? It is unlikely that 83,510 tenge of difference per year will be an argument for someone who is ready to buy a car for $50,000.
Transmission cases
Only the most affordable version with a 3.5-liter engine is equipped with front-wheel drive, all other cars are all-wheel drive. Moreover, the transmission of the hybrid crossover is identical to the version with a 3.5-liter engine: front-wheel drive with a multi-plate clutch that transmits torque to the rear wheels. Unlike its predecessor, on the new Murano there is no way to influence the operation of the all-wheel drive. The forced clutch lock button has disappeared from the passenger compartment, so the electronics now decide for themselves when the car is front-wheel drive, and when the moment is supplied to all four wheels.
About security
In the spring of 2015, the third generation Nissan Murano was tortured by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The crossover received the highest Top Safety Pick + rating, and the car perfectly withstood not only standard crash tests, but also a fatal blow for many cars with a 25 percent overlap.
The new Murano's Nissan Safety Shield has three levels of safety: monitoring, prevention and protection. All versions of the car produced in Russia are equipped with a set of safety devices of the "protection" level (7 airbags, belt pretensioners, ISOFIX fastenings, body elements made of high-strength steel) and "prevention" (the road stability system, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, EBD and TCS). And only the two most expensive versions also have monitoring tools in their arsenal: a cross-traffic warning system, blind spot monitoring, driver fatigue control and the ability to detect moving objects. It should be noted the ERA-GLONASS system, which is also present on this car.
Specifications
Automobile
Engine
Dynamic characteristics
Transmission
Suspension
Dimensions and weight
| Clearance, mm | 184 |
| Length/width/height, mm | 4 898/1 915/1 691 |
| Wheel base, mm |
To be honest, I do not fully understand the current stage of development of the Nissan brand. Most likely, Japanese marketers, designers and engineers, led by the "great and terrible" Carlos Ghosn, are much more aware of consumer preferences than your humble servant. In my opinion, the desire to please everyone has robbed Japanese models of character a bit. I understand that, first of all, the manufacturer should follow market trends, but I would like a little brutality, because Nissan has always been able to make such cars.
And yet there is one model that stands out from the crowd - Nissan Murano. He has always been different in the line of the Japanese manufacturer and in the new reincarnation he stood out again. Today, when the crossover entered the Russian market, it attracts the views of others.
True, in the domestic market, the current generation of Murano appeared with a delay of almost two years. The car was first introduced in North America in early 2014, and just a few months later the model went on sale, and a year later it reached the Celestial Empire. Such a delay is not related to the fact that the Russian market is of little interest to the manufacturer. The fact is that we had to wait because of the adjustment of full-cycle production for the new Nissan Murano. Today, at an enterprise near St. Petersburg, a car is not just assembled from imported components and assemblies, but stamping, welding and painting have been launched. So, today Murano is also with a domestic residence permit. 
Was the Nissan Murano worth the wait? My answer is definitely worth it. Personally, I liked the car to the last bolt, except for the expense. Of course, I understand that a 3.5-liter engine with a capacity of 249 horsepower cannot be small, but when I see a consumption of 16-18 liters per hundred kilometers on the on-board computer, I directly feel how a hole is forming in my pocket and through it flow hard-earned money. Perhaps a car with a hybrid power plant is more economical, but unfortunately we did not manage to ride it. 
In Murano, the designers managed to create the seemingly impossible, to keep the corporate identity different from other models of the Japanese brand. The same radiator grille with a V-shaped chrome insert, from which stamping lines diverge throughout the body, framed by sharp-edged head optics, creates a unique image. Following the latest trends in the class, Nissan designers decided to get rid of the C-pillar. Of course, they didn’t completely get rid of it, but disguised it in order to give the roof the effect of an element hovering above the body. It turned out original and interesting. 
The new Nissan Murano has also added in size, but at the same time it has become almost 30 mm lower. The millimeters borrowed from the clearance did not affect the interior space in any way, but added dynamism to the crossover.
As for the salon itself, then there is a direct revolution in Japanese design. We are all used to the fact that cars from Japan are distinguished by redesigned variations on the theme of interiors, which they came up with back in the late seventies. Clear geometric lines, large controls and condo finishing materials. Everything is different in Nissan Murano and from the beginning you can't believe your eyes. Smooth lines, original inserts, a minimum of buttons on the center console, which does not stand as a separate rectangular block, but is integrated into the overall landscape. The central element of all this splendor is an 8-inch multimedia touch screen. But, we liked the monitor much more, located between the wells of the speedometer and tachometer. It occupies all the space, pleases the eye with a clear and rich picture and is replete with various information. 
In Murano, as in your favorite living room, everywhere is comfortable and everything is at hand. Comfortable, moderately soft chairs gently hug you while driving, a lot of sockets, USB connectors, it's nice to come back here again and again. So moving on public roads, on the Nissan Murano, relies as if you are relaxing in your country house. Smoothly, sedately, measuredly, enjoying how he rushes along the track. But, full pleasure can be obtained at the very moment when he rushes. That's when Murano begins to easily swallow road flaws, ignore the joints and does not resonate with the waves. The energy intensity of the suspension is enough for any conditions, and only when we slow down, the question immediately arises where all this disappears. At low speeds in a cozy living room begins to shake, as with a small earthquake. You should not be afraid of destruction, but small potholes, grooves and cracks are clearly felt in the cabin. It turns out that Murano was “imprisoned” for long-distance travel, when you have to travel more than a dozen miles along the road, and if you live in a city, then you can shake a couple of kilometers. 
Another point that brought a lot of pleasure is the dynamics of the car. The gearbox and 249 horsepower engine work very harmoniously, providing constant traction in any speed range. I pressed it at the start, added it on the track and the engine sang loudly picking up the car - a pleasure.
Prices for Nissan Murano start at 2,460,000 rubles. The basic version of the Mid is already quite rich and is offered with two types of drive. The difference between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is not big, only 120,000 rubles. But all-wheel drive alone rules already from the second High configuration, the base cost of which is only 230,000 higher than that of a car in the minimum configuration. For those who stand up for the purity of the environment, we can recommend a car with a hybrid power plant. It is available only in the maximum configuration, and indeed it turns out to be the most expensive Murano. Prices for a hybrid crossover start at 3,265,000 rubles.
"But what is he new?" - Ask attentive readers who follow what is happening in the automotive world. And they will absolutely right- Nissan Murano debuted with the Z52 index back in April 2014 at the New York Motor Show. Sales in the US began in the same 2014, and a year later Murano appeared in China. But the “fashionable” crossover has reached Russia just now.
Why such a delay?
There is a few reasons. The main one is Russian production! It started on June 21 at the Nissan plant in St. Petersburg - Murano is assembled there along with the Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail and Pathfinder crossovers. Moreover, Murano is made in a full cycle - with stamping, welding and body painting! True, the Nissan people hide the degree of localization, but it is obvious that so far it is not too large - the newcomer shares power units and the Nissan D platform in Russia only with Pathfinder, so most parts and assemblies have to be exported. It is curious that until the end of 2015, the company produced Nissan Murano of the previous generation.
The second reason is the need to adapt to Russian conditions and fulfill the requirements of the Federal Law on the mandatory equipping of vehicles with the ERA-GLONASS system. It was the Murano that was honored to be the first Nissan model with an automatic alert module for emergency response services and an SOS button in the cabin (it is located on the ceiling). There was a full-size "reserve", another antenna and washers for full LED headlights - they are already included in basic equipment Murano. In addition, under our conditions, the shock absorbers were recalibrated and the rear springs were changed - the engineers did not like the suspension of the original "American".
And it's all?
And we were also deprived of one of the colors - in the USA there are 8 shades for Murano, and in Russia - 7. Fortunately, a very catchy orange metallic remained. Although the Nissan Murano has not changed at all over these two years (except for the front bumper, from which the low “lip” was removed when moving to us), but it is new to Russian roads, so it attracts a lot of attention. And this is despite the fact that Murano has always been a very outrageous crossover - from the first generation, the emphasis was on design.
The prototype of the third Murano was the Nissan Resonance concept car, presented in 2013. The car turned out to be very bold, but Nissan has already taught that it is not afraid of original solutions in production cars - remember the same Juke or ... Murano convertible. There is a branded radiator grille with a V-shaped insert in the center, from which the lines diverge throughout the body, headlights and lanterns in the style of the Nissan 370Z coupe and a “floating” roof with a disguised C-pillar. The new Lexus RX flaunts a similar solution, acting in the same genre of mid-size crossovers.
The proportions of Murano have changed slightly - it has become 30 mm wider (1915 mm), 29 mm lower (1691 mm) and 38 mm longer (4898 mm). This had a beneficial effect not only on the design, unless, of course, you count the rear angle, when the view is spoiled by mudguards and wheels recessed into the arches. The streamlining has become much better - Nissan claims an air resistance coefficient of 0.31 (it used to be 0.35). And this one of the best indicators in the segment! There is a merit in this of high-mounted rear lights, wide “hips” of the wings and a spoiler on the tailgate - the designers insisted on keeping the short roof, one of the model's calling cards, so part of the air flow had to be redirected.
Inner harmony
It is all the more surprising that it is the wind noise that begins to penetrate the cabin first, starting at about 120 km / h. But otherwise, you just don’t want to leave Murano! Soothing, smooth lines of the front panel, cool inserts made of unusual "mother-of-pearl" plastic, materials that are pleasant to the touch and comfortable, American-style soft chairs. And also a completely new center console - if in the related Nissan Pathfinder this growth with a bunch of buttons still flaunts, under which simple climate control and audio systems are located, then in Murano many functions are assigned to touch or voice control of the new Nissan Connect complex with 8- inch screen.
It is a pity that the graphics are so-so, and the resolution is low - all-round cameras do not give a very clear picture, which makes their presence meaningless. But the screen between the speedometer and tachometer is good. We add here a wide and long armrest with soft inserts, a scattering of sockets (both 12-volt and USB), climate control and an entertainment system with displays for rear passengers, seat ventilation, a huge panoramic roof and we get a nicely “packed” crossover, well suitable for both city trips and travel.
But it wasn't without flaws. Like a Jaguar, the belt that wraps around the salon, in the same way, like a Jaguar, gapes with uneven gaps between the doors and the front panel. Russian assembly costs? The automatic window lifter is only for the driver, the instrument panel visor is fixed flimsy, and the leather on the steering wheel is rough - we reproached the Teana sedan, which had already left our market, for similar material. Although the steering wheel turned out to be completely different. And by no means simple silvery plastic and uncomfortable audio control buttons.
Surprises on the go
It's unexpectedly heavy! Do not think, there is, of course, a power steering here, but in recent years everyone has become accustomed to the “steering wheel” that is easy in parking modes. And then there's the car originally for the American market. Moreover, on the move, the steering wheel, on the contrary, becomes too lightweight in the near-zero zone, and if you deflect it a little, the force increases non-linearly, so there is no desire to rush along winding paths. “No, we didn’t change the settings,” say engineers from the Russian office of Nissan. This is such an amazing oddity. However, you get used to it very quickly.
Especially if you drive the way Murano relies on - sedately, measuredly, enjoying the excellent connection between the continuously variable variator and the well-deserved 3.5-liter V6 with the VQ35DE index. The motor has a different control program, but, as before, it is certified for "tax" 249 hp. (torque has decreased from 334 to 325 N∙m), and the gearbox has reduced bearing friction and reduced oil bath. For the driver, this means only one thing - confident acceleration from any speed under the velvety roar of V6.
The suspension initially left an ambiguous impression. She diligently translates the small nuances of the road surface onto the body, does not like sewer manholes and junctions of overpasses, so you involuntarily ask yourself the question: “Why did they toughen up the American version and why should the almost five-meter crossover claim controllability?”. But outside the city, with an increase in speed, Murano transforms and, slapping 20-inch wheels over cracks and patches, effortlessly copes with the waves, ignores small things and does not sway on the waves - there is enough energy intensity, and vibrations remain in a comfortable zone for the driver and passengers. Surely the shock absorbers of the overseas version on bad roads too often closed on the compression buffers, falling into resonance. In other words - in urban conditions, it will shake, but on a long trip it will not rock anyone.
Off-road capabilities of the Nissan Murano are limited not only by a small ground clearance and a long front overhang - the all-wheel drive transmission here does not have a mode switch (as, for example, in the Pathfinder) and always works in automatic mode. So without a “technical” nearby, it’s better not to meddle on loose soil
Despite a lighter body with an increased proportion of high-strength steels (it has become 50 kg lighter), new options and improved noise insulation made Murano slightly heavier than its predecessor, so acceleration to hundreds increased from 8.0 to 8.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 210 km/h. But now there is a faster version with the same engine and... front-wheel drive! It accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The surprises under the hood don't end there.
Nissan is particularly proud of the seats - engineers have studied NASA's experience in designing seats that minimize stress on the body, and have been working on prototypes for 10 years. Sitting is really comfortable - you don’t get tired at all on a long journey. And this applies not only to the front seats, but also to the rear sofa. By the way, with the same wheelbase as its predecessor, the legroom has been increased by 36 mm, so there is enough space
Since Murano and Pathfinder are built on a common platform, it is not surprising that a beginner got a hybrid version. The internal combustion engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit with a mechanical compressor! He is assisted by a 15-kilowatt electric motor built into the variator. Total return - 254 hp and 368 N∙m. Therefore, even taking into account the mass increased to 1950 kg (in the top configuration) (this is 67 kg more than the all-wheel drive Murano V6), it is only 0.1 seconds behind in acceleration to hundreds. And subjectively, from medium speeds, the hybrid Murano accelerates even a little better.
The volume of the trunk has increased from 402 to 454 liters with the backs of the rear sofa raised. If they are folded (with the help of an electric drive!), Then the compartment grows to 1603 liters against 1510 before. The tailgate is electrically operated already in the Murano's basic equipment. Interestingly, the battery of the hybrid version does not reduce the capacity of the trunk
What is especially nice - the transport tax here is considered only for internal combustion engines, you have to pay for 234 "horses". The hybrid Nissan Murano consumes less fuel - on average, at an intensive pace of movement, it turned out to be about 10 l / 100 km. Gasoline "eats" 2-3 l / 100 km more. But otherwise, the advantages of a hybrid are not obvious - it will cost more than usual. For example, for the Nissan Pathfinder, it is offered only in the most “fancy” version and you need to pay 120 thousand rubles more for it than for a similar car with a V6. Therefore, in order to just recoup the difference, you will have to drive over 100 thousand kilometers.
So how much does a new Nissan Murano cost?
But this is still the main mystery - they promise to publish prices only 1 august, while only talking about the fact that Murano will be offered with the three powertrains described above and in four trim levels. Basic equipment (Mid version) includes 18-inch wheels, leather interior, climate control, cruise, power front seats and tailgate, heated seats, remote engine start by pressing a button on the key, comfort access, front and rear sensors parking and reversing camera.
The next version is High. Adds 20-inch wheels, heated steering wheel and rear seats, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, a Nissan Connect combine with an 8-inch touchscreen display, and interior ambient lighting. High+ stands for front seat ventilation and the Nissan Shield active safety suite with all-round cameras, blind spot and moving object monitoring, and driver fatigue control. And finally, Top is a panoramic roof and an entertainment system for rear passengers.
It is only obvious that the new Murano should be more expensive than the previous one, even with a front-wheel drive modification. It is not for nothing that the Nissans themselves call it the flagship of their crossover line and wrinkle their noses when comparing the car with the Korean Hyundai Grand Santa Fe and Kia Sorento Prime. In the US, the Murano costs only $170 less than the Pathfinder. And if so, then, most likely, Murano will compete with Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX. Therefore, we can expect a price of at least 2.5 million rubles.. The first cars will appear in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in September.
| Model | |||
| ICE type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Power, hp | There is | There is | There is |
| Working volume, cm3 | There is | There is | There is |
| Power, hp | 249 at 6400 rpm | 249 at 6400 rpm | 234 at 5600 rpm |
| Torque, Nm | 325 at 4400 rpm | 325 at 4400 rpm | 330 at 3600 rpm |
| Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h, s | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| type of drive | Front | Full | Full |
| Front suspension | Independent, spring, McPherson | Independent, spring, McPherson | |
| Rear suspension | Independent, spring, multi-link | Independent, spring, multi-link | |
Quick jump to sections
- a model created for the American market. The Japanese and Europeans are simply not interested in this large SUV, but Russia has become the only European country where it is not only sold, but also produced.
The Nissan plant located in St. Petersburg produces not only the Murano, but also the X-Trail and Pathfinder models. Of course, the stakes on this model are high, and therefore the most serious attention was paid to the tastes of paternal buyers.
All Muranos, from the first generation onwards, have featured a space-age design, loosely associated with an SUV or even a crossover. Maybe that's why they've always been loved. If you want to stand out, buy a new Murano. But despite the bright appearance, the Nissan Murano car can hardly be called revolutionary in terms of technology. It is modern, well stocked, but nothing more.
It is difficult to say whether the new product is built on the old platform. On the one hand, the Nissan Murano 2016 has almost the same overall dimensions, and therefore there is something in common. For example, the same wheelbase remained, the same front and rear suspension designs. But all rubber-metal compounds are already different here. Especially for Russia, other springs and other shock absorbers were selected. Accordingly, another characteristic for the suspension was selected.
The engine here is also new on the one hand, but on the other hand it is built on the basis of the old engine. The old unit was taken as a basis, on which new equipment was hung and all settings were changed. Again, especially for Russia, the power characteristics are also changed. This is done in order to meet tax rules and reduce power to 249 hp. The gearbox here is completely new, CVT, not having anything in common with the previous one.
Nissan Murano - Chassis Specifications
The main goal pursued by the developers when finalizing Murano for the Russian market was precisely the tuning of the chassis characteristics in order to get away from the characteristic properties that are inherent in cars for the American market. This is due to the fact that, as a rule, the roadway in the United States is concrete, very smooth, and Americans love very soft, imposing cars with a certain amount of buildup.
Nissan Murano test drive video
The domestic consumer just loves more assembled, tougher cars. And this is not just due to some taste preferences. This is due to the fact that our roads are not all very good and when the car starts to sway on a slightly broken road. This becomes at least unpleasant, and sometimes even unsafe.
Accordingly, the characteristics of the springs were changed. The characteristics of the shock absorbers have been changed. And due to this, low-frequency vibrations, vibrations of low speed were damped and, accordingly, the car stopped swaying precisely on minor road irregularities.
The result is a very balanced car. On the one hand, it has an excellent ride, it is a very comfortable car, you can drive it for long distances, the car seems to lull the passengers. On the other hand, she perfectly swallows all the road bumps, speed bumps, some potholes, anything. In fact, this is an extremely balanced car.
But it should be noted that the Nissans succeed in such machines. Especially if you remember the same Qashqai, which is also adapted for Russia in a certain way. Therefore, the Nissan people did a great job of not making Murano very tough and it really feels that this car is primarily comfortable. The second thing I would like to thank the developers for is the sound insulation, which is very good here. Neither aerodynamic noise nor road noise is felt, with the exception of the noise that occurs under the bottom, which, unfortunately, is very well audible. Pebbles on a dirt road will rattle along the bottom quite noticeably, but nothing is perfect, even if it's a Nissan Murano.
Test Drive
During the test drive, the Nissan Murano managed to make sure once again that the rolls and pecks of the new Murano are not as big as such a colossus could be. The declared fuel consumption of Nissan Murano is about 9 liters per 100 km, which is not far from the real figure.
The steering with hydraulic rather than electric booster is not sharp, but quite adequate and understandable. But lovers of slipping in corners will be disappointed. The stabilization system is not completely turned off here and it is not so easy to deceive it. Although who will do it on such a car.
CVT Nissan Murano
The main thing that surprised me in this car and was remembered is not the engine, not the smoothness of the ride, not the comfort, but the gearbox. Here is a completely new variator and we can say that according to the sensations from its work it is impossible to say that this is a variator. It should be noted that Nissan has been very successful in developing CVTs, because it has, perhaps, the widest range of cars with CVTs. And according to the sensations from the operation of this gearbox, there is a feeling that this is an ordinary classic automatic machine or a perfectly balanced robot.
It is enough to switch to manual mode on this variator, and there is a feeling that you are driving a car with a very good, sequential, robotic, sports gearbox. Gears change at lightning speed and the car accelerates very quickly. This is one of the few examples that even in a car as unsportsmanlike as the Murano, you can enjoy manual gear shifting. If the car owner wants to play a little nimble on this car on some winding path, then it is worth switching the box to manual mode, as he will feel like a real sports car pilot.
Appearance and handling adjust in a certain way. But the interior design and ergonomics take you to another dimension. Tranquility, coziness and comfort dominate the interior of the Nissan Murano 2016.
Interior overview
Inside, you get the feeling that this is not Murano, but a well-inflated Qashqai. The front panel is very much like the younger model. In particular, the characteristic shapes of the center console, the characteristic shape of the air vents, the interior is made quite neatly, the materials are all soft, well-fitted. There is no outright vulgarity, everything is done with taste, but there is one single question: where did these chrome keys and deliberately shiny huge overlay on the center console come from? But this is already a matter of taste, apparently they wanted to emphasize the status and high cost of the model itself.
But I want to say a special thank you for the huge on-board computer display that appeared here. He has as many as 16 various submenus, you can find and configure anything for the driver. The devices themselves are read very well, they are simple. As for storage, the car is large, there is a lot of space, there are two cup holders on the central tunnel. A small niche is trimmed with velvet, USB and AUX connectors are also located here.
There is a glove box that can easily fit A4 sheets, it is also trimmed with velvet, a kind of underlining that this car is still a certain flagship. With the help of electric drives, almost everything is adjusted here, both the seat and the steering column, and in a wide range. All these settings, including the multimedia system settings, the on-board computer display settings, all this is remembered. Accordingly, depending on which key is used to open the car, the settings are all saved. Of course, there is also seat memory.
It is worth paying attention to one more option that distinguishes this car from the car intended for the American market. It is located up here, this is the Era-Glonass block. Murano became the first car of the Nissan company, which is serially equipped with the Era-Glonass system. There is a cap in the ceiling that protects against accidental pressing, and under it is an emergency call button. In the event of an accident, it is enough to press the keys and there will be a connection with the call center to call for help. If the driver does not do this, the car itself will contact the operator. If he does not hear a response, emergency services will be automatically directed to the scene of the accident.
Nissan Murano 2016 - rear view
The rear passengers also have more than enough space, in any case, they feel no worse than those who ride in front. True, the rear sofa for some reason is not adjustable in the longitudinal direction. You can only adjust the angle of the backrest, and in a fairly large range. The seats are comfortable, comfortable, have a long trip. There is a wide armrest. There is no central tunnel here, so if necessary, three of us can travel here, but the third row of seats is not provided here. There was no place for him in the trunk. However, just as there were no pleasant little things in the form of hooks, niches, pockets, etc.
The Murano's main downside is its high loading height, but that's kind of the price to pay for having a full-size spare tire. By the way, this is another difference between the Russian car and those cars that are sold on the American market. Either a dokatka or a wheel repair kit is installed there.
It is strange that in such a huge niche where the wheel is located, there was no place for an organizer. Inside the wheel is a subwoofer and that's it, although there is room on the sides. It is interesting that the hybrid version of the new Murano will also be sold, it was decided to place the battery not in the trunk, so as not to further increase the loading height, but in the front armrest. Weird idea, but it's there.
As for the transformation, there is nothing special here. The seat backs fold as always - in a ratio of 40:60. This can be done remotely, with the help of special handles, but it is important that in order to raise these chairs there is a special key that, using an electric drive, raises the backs up to their original state. Thus, in order to raise the seat backs, there is no need to climb through the back door and raise them manually.
How much is Nissan Murano 2016
Options and prices are already known. The cost of the Japanese novelty in the database is 2.460.000 rubles for a front-wheel drive car with a 3.5-liter gasoline engine. For all-wheel drive, you will have to pay 120,000 rubles. The cost of Nissan Murano in the richest version will cost 2.890.000 rubles. The cost of Nissan Murano in the hybrid version, which is available only in the maximum configuration, is 3.265.000 rubles.
Murano is considered the flagship of Nissan's crossover line. But I would boldly call it the flagship of the entire model range of the company, both in terms of equipment, and in terms of driving pleasure, and in design, and also in price.
Nissan Murano specifications
- Fuel consumption per 100 km 12.1 / 6.9 / 8 8
- Drive full
- Length 4897 mm
- Width 1915 mm
- Height 1720 mm
- Ground clearance 180 mm
- Wheelbase 2825 mm
- Trunk volume 895/1825 l
- Curb weight 1823 kg
- Working volume 3.5 l
- Power 249 hp
- Torque 336 Nm
- Transmission variator
- Maximum speed 217 km/h
- Acceleration time 0-100 km/h 7.7 seconds
