Nissan Murano 2009-2015 used car review
The Nissan Murano is very comfortable and spacious for a relatively low price.
The Nissan Murano is very comfortable and spacious for a relatively low price. Restricted visibility makes it tricky in tight spots.
The Nissan Murano was a more dynamic and sporty-looking SUV. It is only offered with five seats, unlike many vehicles of its size. Most Muranos are specified to a luxurious standard and can be compared to more premium cars from brands such as Lexus.
Inside and out
With the Murano's curving, sporty look, it was more like a giant hatchback. The nose is very pointed, with a chrome grille and projector-style headlamps that continue towards the centre of the car. Roof rails are standard and allow crossbars to be fitted for carrying large items. The rear window is angled up at the bottom to make way for large tail lights. Twin exhaust tips add to the sporty look.
The interior feels more like a luxury-brand car than a mainstream Nissan. Materials feel high quality, with deep, soft leather and metallic accents throughout. The Murano provides a comfortable ride. The steering wheel has controls for the stereo, Bluetooth phone system and cruise control.
Gauges are sporty, with a white backlight and are housed in round pods. A large infotainment screen sits in the centre console with a control panel below. The navigation will not work in New Zealand and a band expander is required to receive local stations.
Several buttons are in Japanese though they’re relatively easy to follow. Below this are controls for the CD player and separate temperature settings for the driver and passenger. Twin sunroofs add light to what is otherwise a relatively dark interior.
The seats are soft and very comfortable, like large armchairs. The front two are heated, with electric adjustment for the driver. Rear seat space is good and there is width for three adults although the shape of the centre seat is likely to make it more popular with smaller passengers.
The boot is large, with room for four or five large suitcases. For even more space, a lever allows you to lower the rear seat backs - a button in the front of the vehicle will automatically raise them up again. A panel folds up from the floor to provide spaces for smaller items to be stored where they will not roll around.
A note to those who need to carry larger items: although the lower part of the boot matches other SUVs for size, the curving roofline means larger things might be too tall to fit. The rear door is electric and can be opened and closed at the push of a button.
On the road
Two engines are offered in the Murano: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol found only in Japanese cars and a 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol found in higher specification imports and New Zealand-new models. With 198kW and 336Nm on offer, this engine is smooth and powerful and has a sweet note to it. The CVT automatic is smooth and efficient, though not necessarily the best for sporty driving.
The Murano's handling does not match its sporty looks. It is soft and comfortable, with light steering and some body roll. It soaks up bumps very well. Low ground clearance means it is best kept on the tarmac because, even with all-wheel drive, it will soon contact the ground with its bumpers or underside when it’s off-road on uneven ground. The all-wheel drive will be handy on gravel roads and slippery conditions.
For an SUV, the Murano’s visibility is poor from the driver's seat - the curved nose, side windows and rear screen conspire to make it tricky to work out exactly where the vehicle ends. Luckily, reversing cameras are standard on all of them except the base model 2.5-litre used import cars. and some vehicles come with additional side and surround-view cameras as well as parking sensors.
The Murano's maximum towing weight is lower than expected for an SUV of its size, at 750kg unbraked (a medium-size garden trailer), and 1,500kg braked (a small trailer boat).
Reliability
The second generation Murano appears, so far, to have shaken off many of the reliability issues that affected the earlier models. The 3.5-litre engine uses a timing chain, and there are few reports of the timing chain stretch issue this engine experienced in earlier cars.
Safety
Like the previous generation, we could find no local, Japanese or European ratings for the Murano. The only testing released was by the American Institute for Highway Safety, which found the 2010 model offers good protection in front and side collisions, though marginal in a rollover. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard as are anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and electronic stability control.
Safety features include: All rear seats have three-point seatbelts, and the two outside positions have ISOFIX child seat mounting points and tether points on the back of the seat.
Cost of ownership
Nissan recommends servicing the Murano every 10,000km or once a year, whichever comes first. Each visit will cost from $350 but budget for a major service at 100,000km at a cost of up to $1,000. It includes a fluid change for the CVT automatic.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, the 3.5-litre version will cost $3,000 to fuel - not bad for a petrol vehicle of this size. The 82-litre fuel tank will cost $164 to fill at $2 per litre and should take you 715km before the fuel light comes on. The Murano requires premium fuel.
A vehicle licence for the Murano costs $76.92 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Murano valued at $21,080 will cost $55.28* per month. Interestingly, that’s cheaper than insuring an earlier Murano.
Buyers' guide
The Murano is available on Trade Me priced from $12,000 to $45,000. The most expensive vehicles are New Zealand-new versions, with the import versions retailing for tens-of-thousands less.
'Four' models feature all-wheel drive. Only Japanese XL and XV 250 models are available in front-wheel drive.
Japanese imports
- 250 XL - Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Features fabric interior, leather steering wheel, CD player stereo, reversing camera, keyless entry and start, separate climate control settings for driver and passenger.
- 250 XV - Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Adds premium seats with optional leather, electric tailgate, heated front seats and roof rails.
- 350 XV - Powered by a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine. Features high-intensity headlights, standard leather seats, dual sunroofs and twin exhausts.
New Zealand models
- TI - Powered by a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine. Features premium leather seats, leather steering wheel, CD player stereo, reversing camera, keyless entry and start, separate climate control settings for driver and passenger, premium Bose speakers with a subwoofer, electric tailgate, heated front seats, roof rails, dual sunroofs and twin exhausts.
Timeline
- 2008 Launched in Japan
- 2011 Receives a cosmetic upgrade
- 2015 Discontinued - no longer built in right-hand drive
Details
2012 Nissan Murano XV350 Four
$10,000 to $19,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
3.5-litre six-cylinder, 198kW/336Nm (claimed)
CVT automatic, all-wheel drive
Unrated
10,000km or twelve months
Space saver (Full-size on NZ new)
10.7-litres per 100km (claimed)
Premium
4860mm
1885mm
1730mm
750kg (unbraked), 1500kg (braked)
10.6m
This review covers the Nissan Murano for model years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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Kyle Cassidy 