NISSAN MURANO SL AWD
The new Nissan Murano SL AWD Crossover SUV is the latest in a long line of crossovers from Nissan. For a while, they were all the same, taking that two-box design and making it boxier. The end result was a look, that while practical, did nothing inspiring to make you truly just want to get in and drive.
That was until the new Nissan Murano SL AWD hit the scene. Now 16 years and three generations in, the Murano has continued onward. After receiving a comprehensive freshening for 2019, it is back and ready for its, uh, close up.
A PROMINENT LEAD IN.
For 2019, the new Nissan Murano is available in four trim levels including S, SV, SL and top-of-the-line Platinum grade.
Leading in, the Murano receives a more pronounced version of the V-Motion grille that separates the boomerang-inspired LED head- and tail lights. LED foglamps shine from openings in the front bumper and they help to define the grill which leads to the aero-formed clamshell hood.
Lower body cladding helps to give definition and depth to the overall side view of the vehicle, while the well-angled side body panels extend the overall length to add interest to what could easily have just been another slab-sided monster of an SUV. A floating roof
Inside, our new Murano SL AWD featured a black leather interior that would make any Hog-riding biker proud.
Covering the entire dash, armrest area, steering wheel, shifter knob
The controls were logically arranged so they were within easy reach of the driver, and occasionally the front row passenger.
We did think the starter button might be placed in a better position but easily found it after activating some muscle memory as to its location. The height of the Murano, coupled with its wide-opening doors offered ease of entry that will be appreciated by an aging citizenry.
We liked the exceptional roominess inside the Murano but think that the sculpted dashboard arrangement might take up a tiny bit of legroom
From a technological standpoint, it’s all here, although in a somewhat dated style. The 8-inch color display is well-executed and offers
Cargo space in the rear rivals many others in the segment. For sunroof-equipped Murano SUVs behind the second row, expect 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the rear seats forward, and you’ll see a total of 65.0 cubic feet up to the front row of seating, available with 2.5-feet of ground clearance.
MURANO MOTIVATION
We found the Murano’s tried and true 3.5-liter V6 engine to be adequate for the job at hand. Muscling its way out with 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, it was capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, which is generally equivalent to the weight of two jet skis and a trailer. That power is sent to Nissan’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) which doesn’t actually change gears as much as it increases the gear ratio. Although it’s not our favorite type of transmission,
Although offered in standard form as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle, the new Murano can be ordered with an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, that although Land Rover-like, cannot be relied upon to do much more than travel down gravel roads and trails.
The new Nissan Murano rides on a suspension comprised of MacPherson-style struts and shocks with a stabilizer bar at the front and a twin-tube shock / multi-link arrangement with
Power from the 3.5-liter V6 was instantaneous when squeezing the skinny pedal. Torque was delivered on-demand in a steady fashion resulting in easy merging onto Interstate highways and Turnpike interchanges, alike.
Overall, we are big fans of the new Nissan Murano SL AWD. It’s a stylishly good-looking example of the state of the art in Crossover vehicles today and manages to make good with the latest
2019 Nissan Murano SL AWD
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Five
Power: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 260 horsepower at 6,000
Torque: 240 lb-ft at 4,000
Transmission: Xtronic CVT
Drive: Intelligent All-wheel-drive
Suspension: Front: Macpherson Strut with
Rear: Multilink with twin-tube shocks
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion.
Length: 192.8 inches
Wheelbase: 111.2 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 67.8 inches
Liftover height: 30 inches
Curb Weight: 4,039 pounds
Towing weight: 1,500 pounds