Nissan Murano: A Hit Even Without Diesel

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

The Nissan Murano offers convincing performance - even without a diesel engine. You only miss the diesel at the petrol pump. Because the gasoline engine is very thirsty.

By Stefan Grundhoff

Nissan's courage seems to be rewarded. Many had shaken their heads in disbelief when the Japanese launched their Murano with only a gasoline engine. But sales are going well - even without the diesel version.

The problem is not new. American and Asian car manufacturers in particular have a difficult time in the European SUV market because the popular diesel engines are missing. The notable exception is the DaimlerChrysler subsidiary Jeep, which can fall back on Mercedes engines, among other things. But Nissan shows with the boldly drawn Murano that sport utility vehicles with a 234 hp petrol engine also have a fan base. Many Nissan dealers had made a virtue of necessity since the spring.

Reversed to Murano

The new full-blooded off-road vehicle Pathfinder had a diesel engine, but no particle filter. So quite a few hesitant customers were reversed to the Murano, which is well worth seeing. Not a real all-terrain vehicle, but thanks to the 18 cm ground clearance and 4x4 drive, you can get around safely even on a snowy ski holiday. Hardly anyone needs more all-wheel drive. The V6 engine can already be recognized by the sound. It works with 280 PS and 343 Nm in the 350Z sports car. There it is a feast for the eyes, ears and driving experience alike. The engine was adapted for the much more sedate Nissan Murano. However, the reduction in power meant it a little too well. So you lost 46 hp and ten percent maximum torque.

But in the USA and Europe this does not detract from his success. In North America, the Murano has been a hit among the popular lifestyle SUVs since 2003. Even if the seemingly ubiquitous competition in this country can serve with high-horsepower common rail engines, many do not ignore the Murano. The planned annual production of 2100 vehicles in Germany is sold out. The beefy Nissan has positioned itself as emphatically dynamic in the market. The excellent price-performance ratio does the rest to advertise it. Looks good, everything is included, everything is on and that for just 43,900 euros. On the other hand, you not only stand out from the X5, XC 90 or M-Class volumes in your circle of friends, but also have standard equipment that lets your neighbors romp.

So you open the large doors and marvel at the electric leather seats with pedal adjustment, xenon light, DVD navigation, 18-inch aluminum as well as Bose sound, sunroof, automatic air conditioning and reversing camera. The conversation with the seller could hardly be shorter. Metallic paint alone costs 790 euros extra - most dealers still put it on top anyway. Unfortunately, the fog lights in Europe had to give way to the cooling inlets in the front apron. That is also the only flaw in terms of security. ABS, ESP, front, head and side airbags are also standard.

More performance doesn't have to be

The Nissan Murano is unquestionably one to have fun with. More power hardly has to be, because 234 HP and 318 Nm are enough to get the two-ton ship going. Nevertheless, one mourns the performance plus that the «Z» offers. 0 to 100 km / h in nine seconds and a governed top speed of 200 km / h are at class level. When it comes to the chassis, however, the 4x4 road sweeper has its weaknesses. The spring-damper coordination is harder than that of the US model, but always too vague. Noticeable pitching and rolling movements of the body are annoying, especially when it comes to fast corners. The steering also just earned a weak satisfactory.

Such a sporty SUV should give the driver more driving impressions from the surface layer of the asphalt. The automatic, however, holds back elegantly. 91 percent of the engine output is continuously transferred to the front axle via a CVT transmission. If the front wheels lose the necessary grip on slippery ground, up to 50 percent of the power goes towards the rear. If you want, you can also switch on the all-wheel drive manually.

Average of 15 liters

The Murano's six-cylinder has an audible sound, especially at higher engine speeds. However, at the latest at the first refueling stop, the driver wants a diesel. The 12.3 liter super per 100 km targeted by the manufacturer can hardly be achieved even with the gentlest touch of the accelerator pedal. You have to calculate an average of 15 liters; in the city center, the Asian is even scratching the 20 liter mark. Another disadvantage: the engine currently only manages the Euro3 / D4 emission class. Improvement should follow.

The interior offers no reason for complaints. 2.82 meters of wheelbase also create a feeling of luxury in the second row. Traveling here is extremely pleasant, especially because of the adjustable rear seats. The seats are too soft, but have good long-distance comfort. The numerous shelves that offer space for sunglasses, telephones or drinks prove to be practical. It is incomprehensible why no seat height adjustment was installed on the passenger side. There is also reason to complain about the operation of the cockpit. A little more ergonomics and ease of use wouldn't hurt. In contrast to the generously dimensioned interior, the trunk initially appears to be manageable. 438 liters are all different, grandiose. With the rear seat folded down, things look very different from that;then the Nissan Murano 1965 liters of storage space.