By Otsile Kadiege

Nissan recently unveiled the all-new, fourth-generation Murano. The new mid-size crossover SUV gets a new sleek and premium exterior design, an accommodating cabin with numerous luxuries as well as numerous Murano-first technologies.

Exterior design and styling

Building on a foundation of progressive elegance, the all-new Nissan Murano has a seamless, solid and clean design. Striking proportions include a more than 2.6-inch increase in overall body width and gracefully flared rear fenders.

The front end of Murano includes ultra-thin “Crystal Cube” LED headlights at either side of a gloss-black trim strip, separated from the vehicle’s grille. Nissan’s well-known V-motion graphic is produced by LED daytime running lights hidden inside the grille. As standard, the range-topping Murano will be shod with 21-inch alloy wheels.

Nissan Murano’s liftgate is similarly notable for a clean and crisp design: the rear wiper is housed above the rear window, the exhaust tips are hidden and the license plate holder is moved to the lower bumper. Across the sleek liftgate, a dramatic LED tail light element spans the entire width of Murano’s rear, producing a distinctive lighting signature at night.

Interior design, technology and practicality

Nissan designers crafted an interior that is modern, minimalist and elegant. Highlights include the standard dual 12.3-inch displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an infotainment system with Google built-in, including Google Maps, a heated multifunctional steering wheel with capacitive buttons, a colour head-up display, another capacitive-touch panel for the climate controls, push-button shifters replace the traditional gear lever, a standard wireless charger, two front and two rear USB Type-C ports, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, 64 colour ambient lighting, and ventilated, massaging front seats.

A unique dashboard finisher called Murano Glass incorporates color-shift graphics and textures that play with light. Inspired by and named for the famed Venetian glass-works that gave the crossover its name, this multi-leveled feature exemplifies the vehicle’s attention to craftsmanship and high-quality details. The three interior color themes were inspired by the inimitable light quality of golden hour – just before sunset – experienced along the Californian coast. Semi-aniline quilted leather-appointed seats on the Platinum grade are finely detailed.

Rear occupants are treated to available rear door sunshades and heated rear seats. There is also more knee room in the second row due to a thinner front seat design and 0.8-inch increased couple distance. For the first time in Murano, the rear seats adopt the Nissan Zero Gravity design, helping provide a more supportive posture for occupants. The rear doors now open wider than the previous generation Murano to ease ingress or load a child safety seat.

Behind the 60/40 split flat-folding second row, the cargo area offers 32.9 cubic feet of storage with the seats raised and 63.5 with them lowered. A power lift-gate is standard, with Platinum adding a motion-activated power lift-gate.

Safety and driver assistance systems

The new Murano employs Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 as standard, and Murano complements this suite of safety technologies with several advanced driver-assistance features. A Murano first, available 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor expands on the previous model’s bird’s-eye view by allowing the user to select from one of eight virtual vantage points “around” the vehicle. Additionally, Murano adopts Invisible Hood View, allowing for a virtual view “through” the engine bay to help spot car wash tracks, drive-through curbs or other obstacles.

Powertrain

Powering the new Murano is a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (Variable-Compression Turbo) powertrain rated for 241 horsepower (177kW) and 260 lb-ft of torque (353Nm), an increase of 20 lb-ft (27Nm) compared to the outgoing Murano. The engine is paired with 9-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters for more engaging driving dynamics. Idle stop start is standard.

The Murano is offered with front-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. To help improve ride and handling, the new Murano adopts frequency sensitive dampers in its suspension and switches to electric power steering.

Availability

Nissan South Africa recently announced that two new internal combustion engine SUVs will be launched in South Africa in the coming years. We hope the new Murano is one of them.