    2009 Nissan Murano SL. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Nissan Murano
For 2009, the Murano appears to be borrowing a page from the Infiniti directive, with an upscale feel throughout. My concern is whether this upscale design has sacrificed some functionality, as many crossovers approaching luxury status start to weed out practical features.
This week’s tester is an SL model, with the Luxury and SkyView Moonroof Packages; MSRP is $42,648. (Pricing shown does not include freight, taxes, regional, or promotional incentives.)
Get to know this glow! At issue with many instrument panels is daytime lighting. The Murano’s “Fine Vision” gauge lighting includes an orange glow around the perimeter of the gauge face, which assists in reducing eye strain. (The glow can be disabled, if preferred.)
Illuminated steering wheel controls provide access to audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth phone access. After a few initial handshake issues, the Murano’s Bluetooth system provided impressive voice clarity for caller and receiver. The Bluetooth system can also access a Voice Memopad, for safer recording of your million-dollar ideas. A common issue with manual tilt and telescope steering columns is the use of one lever for both actions. The Murano gets separate levers for tilt and telescope, which should be a definite ingress/egress advantage for winter-clothed access. Controls for instrument panel dimming and driver information are mounted on the sides of the gauge cluster.
A sizable bank of controls is found to the left of the driver’s knee. The cluster includes power hatch actuation/cancel, fuel door release, rear seatback power return, stability control cancel, and manual height adjustment for the HID headlamps. The driver’s door pod is home to the power exterior mirror toggle, and Auto descent/ascent windows for the driver and front passenger. Headlamps use an Auto-on detent, part of the HID inclusion, while wipers are rain-sensing, with an intermittent sweep for the rear wiper/washer.
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