You won’t recognize the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano crossover SUV as a Murano, because it looks so different from the Muranos you’re used to seeing.
Nissan cited “the elegance of the famed Italian Murano glassware” as the design inspiration for the original version, but the newest Murano turns away from that classical influence and goes all futuristic-looking. The previously smooth and rounded body style with a minimum of bright trim has been replaced by a sculpted one with radical angles, shiny accents and a great deal of flair. There’s a lot more to catch the eye, many more interesting details to notice. The same can be said for Murano’s new interior, whose styling now looks prestigious.
Practical revisions to the interior include providing passengers with more room, updating the telematics, and simplifying the audio/navigation system by reducing the number of controls from 25 to 10. In some of the best words ever spoken by an automotive executive, Nissan’s senior vice president and chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura said:
“We’ve learned from personal electronics that consumers aren’t always looking for devices that do more, they just want it done better. People rarely read the directions for their smartphone because they know intuitively how to operate them. We believe vehicles should behave the same way – it’s a new and better way to travel.”
Another upgrade to the Murano interior is the installing of Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seats, which are standard for all but the middle seating position in the second row. (The rear seats, by the way, are a three-cushion design, a first for a Nissan vehicle.) I don’t think anyone will mind if, rather than attempting to explain Zero Gravity seats in my trademarked slang, I just copy and paste the following paragraph from Nissan’s literature on the subject:
“Ergonomic technology was utilized to analyze, measure and verify fatigue reduction and comfort, leading to the NASA-measured ‘neutral posture.’ In a weightless scenario human posture is weakened and the burden on the body is at its least, meaning posture does not collapse even over long periods and you are less likely to become tired. By applying this neutral posture to a car seat, it alleviates feelings of fatigue from sitting for long periods of time.”
I will say that the new Murano seats are, to be sure, extremely comfortable – to the point where removing one and using it as a desk chair is tempting.
If no seats are removed for use in your home office, the 2015 Murano has seating for five, with a lavish amount of leg room and head room for front- and second-row passengers. The remaining space constitutes an enormous rear cargo area.
What’s more, Murano’s new passenger cabin is whisper-quiet, and driver and passengers alike will appreciate its dignified handling.
The interior’s only failing, hardly worth mentioning, is front-door stowage slots that could stand to be bigger.
There are four different trim levels for the 2015 Murano: S, SV, SL and Platinum. All are available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive configuration, and are powered by a lively, responsive V6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) with unerring behavior is standard on all models.
Fuel economy ratings are 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for both AWD and FWD versions. Regular unleaded gasoline is recommended.
Base pricing, including an $885 destination charge, starts at $30,445 for a front-drive S model.
2015 NISSAN MURANO PLATINUM AWD
Base price, including destination charge: $41,485
Price as driven: $43,745
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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