Test drive Nissan Murano 2003 - 2007 SUV

Comparison Toyota Harrier and Nissan Murano

Toyota Harrier: not an SUV, but a high -class expensive car for individualists
When acquainting with modern models of cars for outdoor activities (or, if you take English abbreviation, SUV category machines), in particular with those made in bodies of size L, always catch yourself thinking that outwardly they amazingly resemble SUVs. But in front of me Toyota Harrier, which is also ranked for cars of the SUV class. How can you evaluate its real essence? It is worth recalling that this model was built on the Toyota Windom platform. And no matter what they say there, such related ties are not in vain. That is why Harrier has many qualities that are characteristic of both the sedan and the SUV.
Not so long ago, Harrier survived the complete replacement of his model range, so now we can talk about the second generation of this machine. Frankly, those features that brought the previous Harrier closer to cars and sedans became even more noticeable in the new version. In fact, the platform on which the first -generation machine was built was largely the same remained, although the distance between the axes is now 100 mm more and is in general 2715 mm. This indicator, by the way, is similar to the Toyota Kluger v, related to Harrier, and differs with a similar Windom indicator by only 5 mm. The use of such a platform leads to the fact that the useful area is limited to the front and rear axle. Thus, an increase in the interdose distance means an increase in this area - in particular, an additional space appears around the rear (second) series of seats.
The front panel in the Harrier salon is trimmed for metal. On the one hand, this makes it look like a sports car, on the other hand, it enhances the subjective sensation of high quality decoration. As a result, an environment is created in the cabin, which is traditionally associated with SUV cars in a more calm, city version.
The lineup of the engines, which is equipped with Harrier, includes a 4-cylinder engine with an in-line location of the cylinders with a working volume of 2400ss and a 6-cylinder engine with a V-shaped cylinder location, the working volume of which is 3000ss. By the way, specially for a 3-liter engine, an automatic transmission was developed with 5 speeds.
Based on the fact that the all -wheel drive is slightly weighing the car, on modifications of 4 WD, a more powerful motor is very desirable. But for a monotive option, which is supposed to be used mainly in urban conditions, a 2.4-liter engine is quite enough. Here he will not yield to 3-liter.
As many must be known, Harrier is sold in the North American market under the elite lexus brand and is called Lexus RX 330. The American market reacts to such cars very vividly. But in Japan, which, frankly, cannot boast of special demand for cars of a similar class, this model does not make a particularly strong impression. Although - depending on how to present it. It is possible that someone Harrier will be attracted as an elite, expensive car, but not for outdoor activities, but for individual trips. Who knows?
 

 
Nissan Murano: high class, novelty of design, power is all for an amateur
How is Nissan Murano classified in North America? As a car for outdoor activities (SUV) in the back of the size of L. But it should be noted that its appearance is deceiving: it is more like an SUV, but to a brisk 5-door hatchback, which makes it perceive in a completely new way. It is interesting to note that Murano has a platform of the same design as Nissan Skyline with Fairlady Z, that is, involving a FM type layout. Its wheelbase is brought to 2800 mm, and the body has increased rigidity. This has noticeably improved running qualities. In addition, in an updated form, Murano not only has a large and spacious salon (still, at such a distance between the axes!), So this salon is also made in a sports manner. And such a combination in car classes is not so common.
But most of all, his running qualities deserve attention. The engine installed on the Murano engine is the same VQ35 de, which is installed on the Nissan Skyline Coupe and Fairlady Z. Of all Murano modifications that are sent for sale to America, the most powerful is armed with a 245-horsepower engine. If you take a gearbox, then in the Japanese market only modifications with a unavailable X- Tronic variator are sold. The endless transmission due to the smoothness of its work allows the use of the motor power is more rational. As a matter of fact, this is its main dignity. I believe that in the future this device will be widespread.
All design of the salon is aimed at emphasizing the sportsity of the machine as a whole. For example, the dashboard with 3 dials is borrowed from Fairlady Z. The transmission control lever has a zigzag line of the working course, and the lever frame is installed directly on the floor, and the average front panel console is shifted closer to the driver, which significantly improves its functionality. The rear seats are made in the same manner as the entire salon. This design can, relatively speaking, is called the design of the hidden lines. And between the seats, a large console is inserted, which carries the function of a bilateral armrest. It is clear that a large wheelbase determines the presence of a large free space for the legs of passengers sitting behind. Needless to say, as a result, the salon became truly 4-seater in the sense that all 4 people sitting in it can be very free?
So, as follows from my notes, the main attractions of Murano are a powerful VQ 35 De engine and designer delights. At the same time, the machine has a spacious salon, which is located directly between the front and rear axle and therefore turns out to be very convenient in terms of planting and landing, and the driver himself. That is, there are all those merits that allow you to full right to perceive this machine as designed for family trips.
 
And on whose side are you?
Who can recommend Toyota Harrier?
It is likely that there are drivers who seem fresh sedans, and the soul simply does not lie to the purely practical minivans or universals. So they might think about transferring to the SUV of the city interpretation. Why not? It will be very stylish, and engineers did not offend this car with comfort. Despite the generational shift, Harrier remains the same in many ways, but this, on the contrary, is even original. Indeed, recently, Japanese automakers have a craving for Europeanized machines that are constant and committed by a once chosen style. And Harrier looks like a typical European, right?
Who can recommend Nissan Murano?
It is still unknown when this car appears in Japan and buyers will be able to get to know it better, but it is safe to say that in terms of its novelty it is perceived at the same level as Porsche Cayenne. Look - the height of Murano remains at the level of an ordinary passenger car, but at the same time it looks like a representative of the unknown car genre. Therefore, it can be easily accepted by drivers who select cars taking into account their novelty (we will call them conditionally by drivers with innovative requests). In general, Murano is perhaps one of those machines that symbolize new trends in the development of Nissan.
Sports journalist Endo Tetsuo: I choose Toyota Harrier!
Why not choose Harrier if it was developed largely taking into account the characteristics of the domestic Japanese market? Indeed, because of its filling, the car has quite adequate Japanese road conditions by exploring qualities, it is saturated with all kinds of devices and devices, it has wonderful running data, design and not a very high price bar. All this together makes the model very attractive. And since the popularity of Harrier is quite high, it can be purchased from almost any dealer, each of them will offer you the choice of the whole range of modifications. In the manufacturer’s warehouse, there are always in the stock of a machine with various body painting options. In a word, there is something to choose from. As for the murano competing with him, he, as you know, is gathering at the factory in the Prefecture of Fukuok (Kyusu Island), but was originally intended for the North America market. And if so, then the operation of this Americanized machine on the roads of Japan will not always be justified - take at least enlarged body dimensions. There are also restrictions on the number of sets offered for the sale of this machine, so not every buyer will be able to choose the option of a car that would fully satisfy it.
Mr. Tobe Binji: I prefer Nissan Murano!
Both models are essentially SUVs of urban performance. And even outwardly they are very similar. Harrier, as you know, had just experienced full modernization, but his appearance remained in many ways the same, so this seems to me not a very interesting fact of our automotive life. On the other hand, Murano is the first attempt by Nissan to make a car out of the Suv -City category. And that's why this machine is of greater interest to me. For this innovation, I give her preference.
A modification with a 3.5-liter DOHC engine in combination with a 7-speed, unhappy CVT variator and all-wheel drive looks especially attractive. And the front panel of the cabin with a large number of metal parts? In the near future, such a design will be widespread, I'm sure!
Specifications
Toyota Harrier 3.0 Airs (4WD)
Nissan Murano (North American Assembly)
 
Length / width / body height
4730 /1845 /1670 mm
4765 /1880 /1690 mm
 
Length / width / salon height
1990 /1500 /1210 mm
 -
 
Wheelbase
2715 mm
2825 mm
 
Ride width (front / back)
1575 /1560 mm
1630 /1625 mm
 
Car weight
1830 kg
1800 kg
 
Engine
6-cylinder with V-shaped cylinders, Dohc
6-cylinder with V-shaped cylinders, Dohc
 
The working volume of cylinders
2994ss
3498ss
 
Maximum power
220 hp at 5800 vol./min
245 hp at 5800 vol./min
 
Maximum torque
31.0 kg/m at 4400 rpm/min
34.0 kg/m at 4400 rpm/min
 
Fuel consumption in mode 1015
9.1 km/l or about 11 liters per 100 km
 -
 
Brakes (front)
Disk ventilated
Disk ventilated
 
Brakes (rear)
Disk
Disk
 
The size of the tires
235/55 R18
 -
 
March 2003

Source: togallerynet