Folding rear seats are wonderful, until a glance in the mirror just before picking up friends reveals that they’re folded flat. In most crossover SUVs this prompts a frantic scramble to lift them up into place, plus a back-forth wiggle to ensure they’re latched, but not so in the 2012 Nissan Murano.
This curvaceous five-passenger crossover offers rear seat power return on the SL and LE trims: press a button and they raise as if by magic, transforming 64 cubic feet of cargo space into a back seat for three while leaving 31.6 cubic feet for their bags.
There are many more examples of what makes the Murano such a likeable car, but before delving into the list, let’s get reacquainted with this ground-breaking crossover.
Until the Murano first appeared late in 2002, SUVs were rugged and chunky in recognition of their off-road roots. But the Murano, despite an elevated seating position, was all curves and flowing lines—a car with the plus points of an SUV.
The 2012 Murano is little changed. At the front there’s the familiar Nissan family grille, slimmed-down and paired with narrow headlights that offer a hint of aggression. Flared wheelarches house large alloys and give the car a purposeful stance while a short hood slopes up to meet a steeply raked windshield. The flanks narrow towards the rear, creating pronounced haunches over the rear wheels, and are complimented by an upward kick in the glass behind the rear doors.
Under the hood a 3.5 liter V6 puts 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque through a CVT (a continuously variable transmission) to the front wheels, or to all four with optional all-wheel drive. On the Murano CrossCabriolet, the powertrain is capable of 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet. Gas mileage is a respectable 18 City/24 Highway in front-wheel drive, dropping to 18/23 with all four wheels engaged. The one exception is the CC, which is only available in all-wheel drive and has an estimated 17 City/22 Highway.
The Murano comes in five options: the S, SV, SL, LE, or convertible. The last is designated the CrossCabriolet and has standard all-wheel drive. The top, a funky convertible soft top with glass window, retracts under the solid rear deck at the push of a button, creating a streamlined rump and leaving 12.3 cubic feet of cargo volume.
The regular Murano is spacious inside with ample headroom (often an issue with fastback-styled crossovers) and enough rear legroom for an NBA player. Facing the driver is an intriguing stepped center console where the controls are set out in a most intuitive manner. Interior materials are high-quality and offer excellent fit and feel, though upgrading does bring additional features.
Most notably, SV, SL, and LE trims benefit from a dual panel moonroof, 8-way power driver seat (also on the CC) and 4-way power passenger seats, and a RearView Monitor (also on the CC). SL, LE, and CC trims also gain leather and more speakers for the Bose® audio system (7 with subwoofer on CC, 9 with dual subwoofers on SL and LE). The SL and LE also get a power liftgate. Outside, the LE and CC get 20 inch alloys, the others making do with 18 inch rims. All models get Nissan’s Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition and – a particularly classy touch - aluminum kick plates on the door sills.
With such high levels of standard equipment, the upgrade packages are limited to such things as head restraint-mounted DVD screens – a $1,515 option on SL and LE trims - and an SL-only Navigation package costing $1,850. A Platinum Edition available only for the LE adds touchscreen navigation and 7-spoke 20 inch alloys for $2,020.
Pricing for the Murano S starts at $29,290 (destination charges and other fees not included). All-wheel drive adds $1,600. SV pricing starts at $34,460. And if it’s those power-up rear seats you really crave? Well they’re standard on the SL and LE so figure on paying $38,000 for the SL or $39,900 for the LE. Asking price for the CrossCabriolet – which lacks folding rear seats - is $44,540.