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Toyota Harrier and Nissan Murano comparison

Toyota Harrier: not an SUV, and a high-quality expensive car for individualists
When meeting modern models of cars for outdoor activities (or, if you take English abbreviation, SUV category machines), in particular with those that are made in the body of size L, always catch yourself on the idea that they are in an amazing way resemble SUVs. But here in front of me Toyota Harrier, which is also ranked with Class SUV cars. How can I estimate its real essence? It is worth remembering that this model was built on the Toyota WinDom platform. And, whatever they say, such relative communications do not pass for nothing. That is why Harrier has many qualities that are characteristic of both the sedan and for the SUV.
Not so long ago, Harrier experienced a complete replacement for his model range, so now you can talk about the second generation of this car. Frankly, those features that have brought the former Harrier with passenger wagons and sedans, in the new version have become even more noticeable. In essence, the platform on which the first generation machine was built was largely the same, although the distance between the axes is 100 mm now and is in general, 2715 mm. This indicator, by the way, is similar to the relative for the Harrier model of the Toyota Kluger V, and varies with the similar windom indicator 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 inter-axes means an increase in this area - in particular, an additional space appears around the rear (second) row of chairs.
Front panel in the Harrier salon is finished for metal. On the one hand, it makes it look like a sports car, on the other - enhances the subjective feeling of high quality finishes. As a result, a situation is created in the cabin, which traditionally communicates with Class SUV cars in a more relaxed, urban version.
The model range of engines with which the Harrier is equipped includes a 4-cylinder engine with an inline position of the cylinders with a working volume of 2400ss and a 6-cylinder engine with a V-shaped position of cylinders, the operating volume of which is 3000ss. By the way, an automatic transmission with 5 speeds was designed specifically for a 3-liter motor.
Based on the fact that the four-wheel drive is somewhat weighting the machine, on modifications 4 WD, a more powerful motor is very desirable. But for the mono-producer, which is supposed to be used mainly in urban environments, quite a 2.4-liter engine. Here he will not give way to a 3-liter.
As many, it must be known, Harrier is sold in the North American market under the LEXUS elite brand and is called Lexus RX 330. The American market reacts to such cars will be very vividly. But in Japan, which, how to say, can not boast of special demand for cars of this class, this model does not make a particularly strong impression. Although - depending on how to prevent it. It is possible that someone Harrier just climbs as an elite, expensive car, but not for outdoor activities, but for individual trips. How to know?
 

 
Nissan Murano: High Class, Design Novelty, Power This is all on an amateur
How is Nissan Murano classified in North America? As a car for outdoor activities (SUV) in the body of size L. But it should be noted that its appearance is deceptive: it is more like an off-road, but on the Sky 5-door hatchback, which makes you perceive it completely in a new way. It is interesting to note that Murano has a platform of the same design as Nissan Skyline with Fairlady Z, that is, an intended layout of the type FM. Its wheelbase is adjusted to 2800 mm, and the body has increased rigidity. From this noticeably improved running quality. In addition, in the updated form of Murano, not only has a large and spacious lounge (still, with this distance between the axes!), So this salon is also performed in a sports manner. And such a combination in class SUV class is not so often.
But the most deserved its running quality. Installed on the Murano engine the same VQ35 DE, which is installed on Nissan Skyline Coupe and Fairlady Z. From all modifications of Murano, which are sent for sale in America, the most powerful is an armed 245-strong motor. If we take a gearbox, then on the Japanese market only modifications with a stepless variator X-Tronic are sold. The stepless transmission due to the smoothness of its work allows the use of the motor's power is more rationally. Actually, this is its main dignity. I believe that in the future this device will get the widespread distribution.
All interior design is aimed at emphasizing the sportiness of the machine as a whole. For example, a dashboard with 3 dials is borrowed from Fairlady Z. Transmission control lever has a zigzag working stroke line, 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 be conventionally mentioned, call the design of the straightened lines. A large console is inserted between the seats, which bears the function of the double-sided armrest. It is clear that a large wheelbase causes the presence of a large free space for feet sitting from behind passengers. Is it necessary to say that as a result, the cabin 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 design sizes. At the same time, the car has a spacious lounge, which turns out to be located directly between the front and rear axis, and therefore it turns out very convenient in the planning plan and disembarking passengers, and the driver himself. That is, there are all those advantages that make it possible to perceive this car with full right as intended for family trips.
 
And on whose side you?
Who can recommend Toyota Harrier?
It is likely that there are such drivers who seemed fresh sedans, and to purely practical minivans or universes simply do not lie. Here they might think about transferring to the SUV of urban interpretation. Why not? It will be very stylish, and the engineers did not comfort comfortably comfortably. Despite the change in generations, Harrier remained in many ways the same, but this is, on the contrary, even original. After all, lately, the Japanese automakers have a thrust for Europeized machines, which differ in constancy and commitment of once the selected style. And Harrier looks like a typical european, isn't it?
Who can recommend Nissan Murano?
It is still unknown when this machine will appear in Japan and buyers will be able to get to know her closer, but it can be said with confidence that in the degree of their novelty it is perceived at the same level that Porsche Cayenne. Look - the height of Murano remained at the level of an ordinary passenger car, but at the same time it looks like a representative of Dotole an unknown car genre. Therefore, it can be easily accepted by drivers who pick up the machines, taking into account their novelty (let's call them conditionally 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 Tutsu: I choose Toyota Harrier!
Why not choose the Harrier, if it was developed largely based on features of the Japanese market? After all, because of the filling car has quite adequate Japanese road conditions eksplutatsionnymi qualities, it is saturated with all kinds of devices and appliances, had great driving data, design, and not a very high price bracket. All this together makes the model very attractive. But as the popularity of Harrier is high enough, it can be purchased in almost any dealer, and each of them will offer you to choose from the whole range of modifications. In stock products are always in stock the machine with different variants of body color. In short, there are plenty to choose. As for competing with him the Murano, it is known, though, and assembled at the factory in Fukuoka Prefecture (Kyushu), but originally designed for the North American market. And if so, then the operation of this machine Americanized Japanese roads is not always justified - to take at least the increased dimensions of the body. There is also a limit to the number offered for sale complete sets of this machine, so not every customer will be able to choose a version of the car, which would have satisfied him.
Mr. Tobe Bindzi: Prefer Nissan Murano!
Both models are essentially urban SUV performance. And even outwardly they are very similar. Harrier, as we know, I had just experienced a complete redesign, but its appearance in many ways remained the same, so it seems to me not very interesting fact of automotive life. On the other hand, Murano - this is the first attempt to make the car company Nissan SUV- city of discharge. And so this machine is great interest to me. It is for this innovation, and I give her the preference.
Especially modification is attractive with a 3.5-liter DOHC engine in combination with a 7-speed and stepless variator CVT wheel drive. A front panel interior with lots of metal parts? In the near future, this design will receive the widest possible distribution, I'm sure!
Specifications
Toyota Harrier 3.0 AIRS (4WD)
Nissan Murano (North American equipment)
 
Length / width / height of the body
4730/1845/1670 mm
4765/1880/1690 mm
 
Length / width / height of the passenger compartment
1990/1500/1210 mm
 -
 
Wheelbase
2715 mm
2825 mm
 
Track width (front / rear)
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
 
Working volume of cylinders
2994ss
3498ss
 
Maximum power
220 hp at 5800 rpm / min
245 hp at 5800 rpm / 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 l per 100 km
 -
 
Brakes (front)
Disk ventilated
Disk ventilated
 
Brakes (rear)
Disk
Disk
 
Tire size
235/55 R18
 -
 
March 2003

A source: togallerynet.