Test Drive Nissan Murano since 2008 SUV

Work on bugs

The first version of Nissan Murano official start of sales on the Russian market was waiting for more than two years
As a result, only gray dealers remained in Navara, while the manufacturer is associated with impatient buyers an extra camp with the maintenance of unattended instances. Releaseing the second generation of crossover, the Japanese repeating mistakes did not become in Russia it will appear at the end of this year.
In short, waiting for a long time. But, despite all the efforts of the Japanese, the gray again was ahead of the first new Murano. Your correspondent saw in early August in Moscow ... And this is despite the fact that the official presentation of the model took place only two weeks ago. However, this time, such leaks such a catastrophic for the manufacturer of consequences will not be given to the crossover will definitely not have time. In addition, customers of the certified option are guaranteed at least one pleasant surprise. The new Murano is set up once again an upgraded 3.5-liter V6, but if it develops 252 hp on European versions, then this indicator will be reduced to 249 horses, which will entail significant tax reliefs. It is worth considering the fact that the cost of the novelty will also remain almost unchanged specific figures of the Japanese not yet called, but they promise that the difference between the price tags will be insignificant.
However, the difference between the machines themselves is just as insignificant. At least external. Formally, all the body parts are somehow changed, but really the second Murano almost an exact copy of the first. He even has the same dimensions for 64 mm only the length has grown. In general, under certain circumstances, a novelty can be adopted for the restyled version of the firstborn. On the other hand, in understanding Nissan, this process usually looks like minor change, from which it suffers except the bumpers and laying of headlights. In this case, the metamorphosis is much more significant.
From a rather original, but caused by the mass of the appearance of the appearance of A la Flying plate on the New Year tree, he did not get rid, but did not fail to acquire and a new forever with more space optics, and a muscular profile with outstanding wheel arches, and cascaded rear lamps. The latter, in theory, should emphasize the direct relationship of the all-wheel-drive bestseller brand with the new flagship, but this is the maximum that the Japanese allowed themselves, the distance between Qashqai and Murano is still extremely large.
First, because the compact relative of the novelties will never have such an interior or such a set of equipment. Murano is still Americanly spacious and comfortable. Sitting inside do not face elbows and do not ask the question of where the finiteness is. Moreover, this is true for both front passengers and rear. Among the essential innovations in ergonomics, the possibility of adjusting the steering wheel on the flight (the precursor the column only went up-down). Among the disadvantages, the absence of vertical adjustment of the passenger seat (at least on the test car). I didn't like it very much and traditionally amorphous front chairs sitting in them comfortably, but in the turns side pillows are pretty weak. However, here it is at least justified in the design of the Japanese made a bet not on sportiness, but for premium. The designers worked on the interior were clearly inspired by Infiniti products, so characteristic of the predecessor of chopped forms, as on Nissan 350Z, there is simply no left. The tidy gave birth to a sports coupe gave way to a completely solid panel, and the characteristic shelf on the cockpit, as well as the central console as a whole, has acquired a softest outline ... Of course, the stylistic component has completed high-quality all coatings in the Murano salon (with the exception of metal inserts) began to look richer.
However, it is possible that the equipment has been made here and affordable look. Its here, as usual, abounding: electric drives of all five seats, steering column and even the doors of the trunk ... about climate, navigation and upgraded audio system Bose and there is nothing to say. At our disposal, for example, there were cars either with a panoramic roof, or with a built-in multimedia DVD system. Both, of course, will be proposed as additional options. But the new side camera in the standard package. Of course, this is not AVM video complex (as on Infiniti EX), but it will be easier to park. By the way, the new Murano, in contrast to the first, domestic buyers will be offered not in one, but in two versions, so the options can now be selected for themselves.
Motor and transmissia already do not have to choose the tradition. However, there is nothing fundamentally new here, so the owners will not complain. Modernized V6 in a pair with a branded M-CVT a hundred on the speedometer dials for a second faster than the predecessor. In addition, as before, it is very decently pulling, confidently accelerates and differs in a relatively low fuel consumption ... In addition, the car still perfectly behaves on the highway. However, in the smoothness of the second generation of the crossover first, it seems to me, is still inferior.
The final suspensions became more rigid (also increased by 50% the body rigidity), the rolls decreased, it became less significant and the routine ... But at the same time, the car copes with small irregularities. Worse, the vibration is noticeable not only on the steering wheel, but also in the cabin. To the steering wheel itself at the same time complaints of a minimum. As in general, and to the car itself, like the first Murano, he is worthy of the money that they ask for him. More precisely, they will be asked. The main thing is that in this matter the Japanese customer expectations still did not exceed.
New Murano is not afraid of scratches. All machines are covered with a special polymer filling in shallow damage when heated to 50 degrees. Comfortable? Without a doubt. Especially since it really works express test, Nissan representatives conducted using a metal brush and hot water right during the presentation. Moreover, they promised that certified servicemen will restore the coating and when painting new parts. But how can the owner be able to check it out? With the help of the same brush? It is unlikely that the insurance company will want to pay for repairs.

Competitors
Again the leader?
Sibling the premium branch of Toyota and part-time main competitor Murano is still one of the best-selling cars in the classroom. While the placement of forces with the new version of Nissan can not change, as Lexus is also prepared for the update. In general, the main struggle between these models will unfold next year, today the RX popularity index is almost three times higher than that of Murano.
On new
The mid-sized SUV from Honda, the Russian presentation of which was held in the framework of the international car dealership in Moscow, the most fresher offer in the class, which, given the charismatic of the brand, again, not on the hand of Murano. In addition, the Pilot Arsenal has a similar 3.5-liter motor, and an automatic, and a relatively good level of equipment, and, again, a more attractive price tag. According to the published price list, the Basic version of Honda will cost the buyer of 1,400,000 rubles.
DUMPING
The queue of the CX-7 crossover started a year ago before the start of official sales stretched for half a year. As a result, the first Murano he albeit slightly, but overtook 2845 sold cars against 2721 from Nissan. The Mazda's hand in this case also played a more attractive price from 1,162,000 rubles, while Murano is estimated at 1,545,900 rubles, and the local age of the model, unlike a competitor, gray cars were not so much.

Geneva
Vladimir Lodkov
 

A source: Mkmobile Magazine [October / 2008]