Nissan Murano SL AWD 2015

In 2003, Nissan released their first generation Murano. Being one of the first Crossover vehicles in Canada, it was well received and it turned out to be a massive success for Nissan. It was obvious Nissan was trying to break the mold and developed a vehicle that was in its own class. Well a bit more than a decade later, they’re at it again.

The 2015 Murano SL AWD has got a complete makeover and Nissan didn’t hold back on creativity or engineering. It’s clear that at first look the designers and engineers behind the development of the 3rd generation model had carte blanche to create something completely new. Both the exterior and interior design of the new model looks like it popped out of a futuristic magazine. Every time I stepped in to it I felt like I was boarding the Starship Enterprise on wheels. With its boomerang lights, floating roof treatment and new aerodynamic, It’s easily my favorite new SUV in the Nissan fleet.

All models this year come with the LED Signature lights, with their LED Daytime Running Light accents which is a nice touch and continues with the overall futuristic look of it. I recently got to drive the SL AWD drive model and was truly impressed with the interior styling. As soon as you open the door you’ll notice the advance lighting system that lights up from the door panels and gives you a warm feeling in cabin, especially at night. The interior itself was an off white and had luxury trimmings that all blended in with each other and gave you the impression you were embarking in a premium luxury car.

The instrument panel height is lower than previous model and It’s equipped with a 8 inch color display with multi – touch control. It took me no more than a couple minutes to familiarize myself with functions. The GPS was a bit more advanced than other models I’ve tried and the screen itself had better resolution. The SL models give you an advance Bose audio system with 11 speakers, HD Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Also, included are the NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps. Nissan’s Advance Zero Gravity seats are standard on all models and Climate-controlled seats are also available.

When driving the Murano you immediately have a feeling for what’s under the hood. Nissan gave it a big 3.5-liter DOHC V6 that puts out 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft .Also standard is an advanced Xtronic transmission tuned for quick response and smoothness. For a bigger vehicle, I found it quite easy to maneuver through traffic. Gas consumption wasn’t bad overall. It took me a week of heavy driving throughout the city to get through a full tank. The handling is responsive and comfortable. It has a 4-wheel independent suspension featuring a front strut/rear multi-link design. Also standard are 4-wheel disk brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The SL model comes with 18-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels that gives it a nice sporty look. It also offers front-wheel drive or intuitive all-wheel drive.

Looks like Nissan delivered yet another model that stands out from the others. And at a price tag of 40,983.00 CND, it’s really impressive how they fit in all that luxury.

Engine

VQ35DE – 3.5-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 engine

Horsepower – 260 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Torque – 240 lb-ft (@ 4,400 rpm

Transmission

Xtronic CVTE (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Wheels and Tires

18″ x 7.5″ 5-split spoke aluminum-alloy wheels

P235/65R18 all-season tires

Entertainment

Bose’É) audio system with AM/FM/CD [5]

9 Speakers plus dual subwoofers