2009 Nissan Murano Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Nissan Murano:

Inside it's just as distinct, with adjustable pedals, rear seats that fold flat about as easily as any rear seats in the industry and a center console that rivals even the Buick Rendezvous in its grandiosity.

-- AutoWeek

You'll enjoy lively takeoffs and spirited maneuvers that complement Murano's adventurous demeanor.

-- Cars.com

Murano's looks are backed by sporty performance. It's powered by Nissan's beefy 3.5-liter V6 mated to a responsive continuously variable transmission.

-- New Car Test Drive

As its looks suggest, the Murano is an aerodynamic machine. A low frontal area and a low roof add cruising efficiency, as well as very low wind noise at high speeds.

-- New Car Test Drive

The efficiency of the CVT also adds to the outstanding fuel economy of the Murano: an EPA-estimated 20/24 mpg city/highway.

-- New Car Test Drive

What reviewers liked least about the Nissan Murano:

Unlike other SUVs, Murano is not a substitute for a minivan. It seats four or five people, not seven.

-- New Car Test Drive

A big pod juts out from the center dash for audio and climate controls. We weren't crazy about the appearance of the pod, but it does put the controls close to hand.

-- New Car Test Drive

Nissan Murano Comparisons:

Positioned to compete against the Honda Pilot (based on the Odyssey) and Toyota Highlander (built on the Camry platform), the Murano is based on the company's rip-roaring Altima.

-- Edmunds.com

Wheelbase is measured at 111 inches, allowing a spacious interior. For comparison, the Toyota Highlander measures in at 107 inches.

-- FreshAlloy.com

The Nissan Murano feels as quick as a sport sedan. Indeed, it's quicker than the BMW's 3.0-liter X5.

-- New Car Test Drive

Where the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot fit three rows of seating, the Murano offers two rows.

-- New Car Test Drive

Best one-liner about the Nissan Murano:

Murano power comes from the ubiquitous 3.5-liter V6 that powers seemingly everything from the Nissan weed whacker to the Infiniti Shuttle Launch Pad Creeper.

-- AutoWeek

A 'Hello? Why didn't anyone think of this before?' philosophy governed these features, which include such niceties as a dedicated cell phone holder right next to the cupholder...a coin holder, expanding door bins and a nicely sized, dual-tiered center console that's big enough to hold a computer laptop.

-- Edmunds.com