Test drive Lexus RX 2004 - 2008 SUV

mission Impossible

These two, as if twins in different clothes are so similar. And the article, and the figure, and the essence of their parquet-filled. Even in price, the difference is penny. So, what is their difference, indeed, only how efficiently the costume is sewn and well sitting? So we will check.


The impudence is the second happiness
Murano appeared in our market in November. And immediately surprised ... at his cost. It turns out that this Nissan is a direct competitor to Lexus-RX300. Boldly! But many Rax are inclined to consider the best prestigious parkingate of the world. So successfully in it weaved comfort and representativeness, reliability and prestige, convenience and even reasonable price. Does the impudent newcomer have a chance in the fight against the owner of such a wide set of brilliant qualities?
 

At least one trump card Murano simply catches the eye. The design hits, as they say, below the waist. Such impudent provocateurs in the vast family of SUVs are still looking for. And it makes no sense to lay out this exterior into components. You will begin to distinguish the grinning physiognomy of the radiator grate or emphasize the back of the body lined from the wing to the roof rack, and Murano decays into fragments. No, this Nissan should be considered as an indivisible work of art. Five plus for the appearance!
 

It remains only to burn about the fact that for the exterior we do not put out the assessments too much they are subjective. Otherwise, Murano would already provide himself with a decent head start. And this is in a duel with Lexus, whose graceful solidity and aesthetic competence does not cause questions! But it will be about the design, we move on. More precisely, we sit inside.
 



Equal to the younger ones
That's what the car interior should be! Impeccable build quality, magnificent selection of finishing materials, luxury and convenience in one bottle are Lexus. However, he has long taught us to his splendor. Can you imagine that there is a radio tape recorder from the Quela in Lexus? Or the heating buttons from Yaris? Or a climate control block from Avensis? Unthinkable. Murano salon is assembled from the details of myrrh, almer, examples ...

 
    
Once Sitting in a Lexus chair, you will no longer want to leave him so thought out, conveniently and efficiently
 
   
A contrasting and successfully located display of the side compound is read on the top five

Elegant solution for the mirror adjustment button are closed with a neat lid

Perhaps the only sin of Lexus in terms of ergonomics, the ACP selector makes it difficult to access the cigaretteent room

The final-apotheosis of scrupulousness regulated by rheostats The level of illumination of the anti-loner visor


Perhaps the only original part of the instrument panel. But this truly designer accessory is disappointed with rough plastic. Murano has problems in terms of ergonomics. Say, the Board-Computer Management Block is a real puzzle. Almost 6-inch display, which in the American Murano, is displayed from the rear view camera, is practically not used in the Russian version. Why did the Japanese remove the camera so convenient for parking and especially relevant for an all -terrain vehicle? It is not clear ... But another purely American little thing in Nissan remained an insufficient electric pedal electric drive.

 
    
The driver's seat has a long and wide pillow, as well as a full set of adjustments plus memory for two positions, it is a pity that the lateral support leaves much to be desired
 
   
The ridiculous road computer Murano. Unknown buttons, minimum useful information and mediocre use of a 5.8-inch display

Nissan's musical system plays noticeably better than it looks. That's just the same thing is put, say, on an example. Dear car does not decorate such continuity

The armrest between the front seats is extremely roomy here vertically placed A4 format documents. By the way, boxing can become a safe, because it is locked up with a key

Unlike RX300, offering the driver and passenger 8-speed heating of the seats, in Murano there are only two heating modes. In such important trifles, Nissan loses to Lexus


Only now he works noticeably louder than the servomekhanism of Lexus. And the rear window does not fall completely. There are no backlighting in anti -linen visors, unlike Lexus. The steering wheel is regulated only by the angle of inclination, and even then manually ... the list can be continued.
 



Full set
Obviously, the engineers who developed the interior of Murano took an example from Lexus. The spaces on the couch are equally: a couple of tall, ninety, adults, under a meter of ninety, will be perfectly arranged here. Say thank you prudently made recesses in the roof. There is a place for the third, unless he is offended by the sofa formed for two.


The driver’s chair did not cause questions by a gentleman's set of adjustments, long pillows and ... slippery upholstery skin after all. But this is a trifle, but in general perfectly. Although, if desired, we can recall that in the classroom of medium-sized all-rounds there have long been 7-seater models.

 
  
The same outlandish and very noisy electric pedals of Murano

The RX300 sofa is matching Minivanovsky here is not only a variable angle of inclination of the back, but also longitudinal adjustment
 
 
Lexus is turned into a concert hall. The sound processor and acoustics Mark Levinson recognized the recognized authority in the world of home audio will take care of this

In the armrest of the Lexus sofa, two cup holders and a glove box hidden
 


The only thing is to note that Nissan has significantly as many as 10 cm more than the front door. This will be especially relevant in the cold season to climb inside in outer clothing more conveniently.
 

 
All sizes are given in centimeters. * Distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling






No more, no less
And again the same story. You might think that the drawings of the trunk of the RX300 fell into the hands of Nissan specialists. Is it a joke, the volume coincides exactly 440 liters. And the control load only confirmed equality. Both have two large suitcases in the shelf level. Two more average are added along the upper edge of the sofa. The result is normal, but not outstanding. Not to mention a large loading height.

 
 
The loading height is perhaps great for both, in addition, Murano is already noticeable by the lower edge of the luggage opening
 
 
And again, equality on board, Japanese SUVs take the same number of suitcases
 
 
In this picture, it is clearly visible: even with the sofas folded, the similarity of Nissan and Lexus, as they say, on the face
 
 
In the trunk of Murano, comfortable folding handles of the back of the sofa are provided

The electric drive of the fifth door of the RX300 is activated at your desire with the ignition key, from the cabin or just by pressing the button at the door end


Dynamics of sensations
The difference in power is 30 liters. With. It is quite noticeable. On paper, it gives 9.5 against 9 s ... not in favor of Nissan in acceleration to a hundred. But in this case, you need to believe not so much numbers as sensations. The more painful Murano motor works in tandem with a unavailable variator. The peculiarity of such a transmission is that the engine is almost constantly operating at optimal speed. That is why Nissan’s reaction to gas supply is much more alive. It is this, and not superfluous horses spur you to go more active than usual.

 
    
Under the hood of Nissan, a slightly deformed V6 is hidden, which is familiar to us on the 350Z compartment. The Lexus motor does not have such a glorious biography, he is just good in itself


RX300 is not that noticeably slower, but more thorough or something. Moreover, a 5-speed automatic transmission conceals a feeling of dynamics. But everything is in order with reverse accelerations. In full -time situations, in the conditions of the winter road, the brakes of both left only pleasant impressions.
 



Without unnecessary revelations
RX300 has never been considered sports in handling. And his steering wheel is somewhat empty, and the suspension, which is not inclined to sacrifice comfort for the sake of confident turns. As a result, a completely reliable nature of controllability, confirmed by an unlotted ESP. Do not understand it, there are no complaints about the RAKSU. Is there a vertical buildup of the body of 180 km/h is a catastrophe?
 

But Murano seemed to go much more exciting. Indeed, the steering wheel is much more willing to share information with the driver, and therefore you feel a little more confident in turns. A little because Nissan turned out to be rocker in corners. The transverse rolls surprised a little no better than Lexus. And only the ESP disconnected allows you to take the soul on the rolled snow track Murano is well obvious to the steering wheel and gas.




No adventure
Cracability for SUVs is tenth. The arsenal of all -terrain vehicles for both are minimal. Unless Lexus with pneumatic suspension is able to increase the clearance, and Nissan has a blocking of the center differential in the transmission. But the small passages of the pendants and highway rubber, instantly clogging with dirt, in any case, should dump you from the sorties outside the solid coating. Even if you are lucky and the car does not get stuck, you risk tearing something by no means superfluous. After all, the geometric patency of the RX300 and Murano is not a couple of Prado or the passfine. And in which case, a torn muffler will have to be changed at your own expense. This is not considered a warranty case.
 
  

 
Dear samovars of release systems are not superfluous reminding to hot heads that SUVs are not full -fledged all -terrain vehicles
 





As good as it gets
Divinely quiet work of the Lexus six has long become a lady in a tongue. No worse and the smoothness of the course here is most appropriate epithet magnificent. Moreover, it does not matter what kind of rax we are talking about, with pneumatics or with a suspension on the racks of McEferson Comfort, it will not seem little in any case.

 
The Murano motor sounds louder. But given the aggressive disposition of Nissan, you perceive the baritone of the 3.5-liter six not with an annoying noise, but with a completely appropriate accompaniment. It is curious that the comfort of the suspension also surprised more pleasant. The American version, I remember, seemed tougher. Although the secret of unexpected softness may lies in winter tires.
 



Great prospects
Both Murano and the RX300 bypassed the crash tests of the Euroncap. But the specialists of the Road Security Insurance Institute (IIHS), who conducted their tests, are convinced: both Nissan and Lexus deserve the maximum assessment for the frontal clash.
 

Another American Association, USNCAP, wrote out five for a side blow. True, at the same time, Murano noted one star for a frontal clash, but returned his very good rating of revolution to the all -terrain vehicle. Lexus did not pass this test. Again, given the magnificent equipment by means of security, an excellent assessment is not in doubt.
 
  

 
A pillow of safety that protects the knees and hips of the driver from contact with the steering column is another plus of Lexus in comparison with Nissan. On Murano, such an Air Bag cannot be obtained in principle


 





You cannot add
Murano is cheaper than Lexus for $ 80. Yes, and by the level of equipping Nissan, it would seem, in front of the only configuration of the SE there are an electric pedal electric drive, which REX does not have in principle, and the electric lullah will have to pay extra for it. But on this, the advantages of Nissan end and minuses begin.
 

Why, for example, in the Russian version of Murano, is not provided for parking sensors? Given the forgotten rear view camera, thick rear racks and large head restraints, this option for the Japanese handsome man is simply necessary. Nissan can also not be equipped with such lordly pieces as an electric drive of the fifth door, rotary headlights and air suspension, which can fall to facilitate planting. That is why Murano’s only package cannot be called optimal. For such a price, buyers have the right to expect more exotic than the pedal electric drive.
 

The price list of Lexus begins at $ 56,900 for execution R1. And already this package can be called optimal. There is everything, including skin, climatic, electric drives, heating, rain sensor, music with a CD changer and much more. Nevertheless, buyers prefer R2 for $ 63,100 you overpay you in this case for rotary headlights, air suspension and parking sensors. Iceberg's top option R3 ($ 66,100) with an electric lover and musical system Mark Levinson. But this is already superfluous.
    
We decided:

It is easy to understand why Murano (the average rating of 4.1) so quickly gained popularity in the United States. Stunningly bright in appearance, this SUV does not disappoint with a detailed acquaintance. A spacious interior, a fairly roomy trunk, a beautiful motor, perfectly coexisting with a stray variator. Why not a portrait of a bestseller? But do not forget in the states of Murano noticeably cheaper than Lexus. In Russia, these cars are sold at almost one price. And in direct comparison, Murano is inferior to the competitor.
 

RAX (, the average rating is 4.4) more solid, more expensive, more thoroughly made and luxurious in almost every detail. Finally, Lexus is prestigious than Nissan. Therefore, the price of the latter seems even more inadequate. At 60 thousand, the infinity-FX perpeter of the prestigious brand of the Nissan empire. Murano himself, in order to have a chance in the fight against Lexus, you need to cheaper $ 800010,000. Otherwise, this bright car will remain an expensive toy for wealthy design fans.
 
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [02/2006]