| nesta |
The Murano looks very interesting. Has many of the features that i find appealing in the MDX. 240 HP engine, 18"standard wheels, DVD based Nav (though doesn't look as good as MDX's at first glance), wide track, Continous transmission (CVT), permanent all wheel drive (available), Xenon headlamps, skid control, etc..
Decent review here : http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/03murano.htm
Interested in getting general thoughts on this one. Anybody have any comments after seeing at an auto show???? Thanks. |
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| nesta |
| of course its missing a 3rd row seat, is 3 inches narrower and an inch or two shorter. Found one article claiming price will be $26k - $30k. Seems like the X is still a cut higher in quality, but this should give all of us another viable option (at least all that don't require that 3rd seat) which should hopefully improve MDX availability. |
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| ghotie |
| Very nice looking. But I couldn't help but notice how much the instrument pod in front of the steering wheel resembles the early pics of MDX instrumentation. I'm real glad that never made it into production. |
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| sgtglok |
I know it's funny, but the whole Murano's front end just screams to me "No... not in the nose!.." :12:
That grill is in immediate need of protection!!!!! C'mon find me some real bull bars and as a STANDARD equipment! :2:
I like it from certain angles, yet from certain angles it looks too delicate to be an SUV (it's Nissan, so add 'ragged'?). I agree, I sure hope the instrumental doesn't make it into production as is... gauges are good 'nough, but the TripComputer/Nav/Entertainment Center looks way 2 busy.
I like the look of brushed aluminum on the panels
All-in-all, if a quality is there, Nissan got a nice kicker there! :D:2: :2: |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by sgtglok
[IMG]
I like the look of brushed aluminum on the panels
All-in-all, if a quality is there, Nissan got a nice kicker there! :D:2: :2:
I think they are on the right track! Let's see what the Infiniti version is like. |
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| MDXLuvr |
I saw it at the Houston Auto show. I like it alot. The size is a little smaller/narrower than the 'X, but it looked well proportioned. I am guessing the price will be below 30k b/c 1) it is the replacement for the pathfinder, and 2) Nissan/Infiniti has 7 different vehicles with the same engine/tranny.
btw, God i hope they change that grill.:confused: |
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| MrPrescott |
| It's smallish, I think. If you want the Utility, go with the X. |
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| MK23666 |
{The Murano's athletic looks are a function of its wide stance, prominent 'shoulders', standard 18-inch wheels and tires, short front and rear overhangs, and high ground clearance. Aerodynamic body enhancements include an under engine body cover, front and rear tire deflectors, chin spoiler and rear spoiler. The Murano's vertically stacked headlamps will be available with high intensity discharge Xenon bulbs.}
Wider is better. |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXLuvr
The size is a little smaller/narrower than the 'X, but it looked well proportioned.
...........to me, this would actually be an advantage, especially the narrower part..........but one reason for me to dismiss this vehicle instantaneously is the NAVIGATION SYSTEM ..........It couldn't match the Acura Navi for anything in the world !!!.........and it's not even TOUCH-SCREEN......what are these people high on???
The ACURA DVD NAVIGATION SYSTEM is one reason to EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE all other makes/models of vehicles in the vehicle shopping process!!
...........this option is worth every penny you pay for it and more. It actually BOGGLES MY MIND when I see people saying they skipped the Navi option for the measly $2000 or so Acura asks for it :rolleyes: |
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| dcmdx |
| don't like it. that color is nasty and i think the car itself is fugly. i don't the x has anything to worry about. just my opinion... |
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| javagod |
quote:
Originally posted by sgtglok
[B][IMG]I know it's funny, but the whole Murano's front end just
That is one sorry looking SUV. It lacks a clean, cohesive design. What's with the Buick style radically overdone front grille? |
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| neide |
I happened to drive by my local Nissan dealer today and saw several of these sitting on the lot. While I don't think they are really competition for the MDX - they are quite striking, and I really like them (except for that one color which they keep showing in pictures, and the local dealer had up at the front of his lot).
There is an infititi version coming too - I belive its called the FX35. They are more like a small-sedan version of an SUV. Compact but upscale. I believe they both only seat 4. |
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| feliz |
| I also don't look at the Murano as direct competition for the MDX although on the Murano forums they compare it to the MDX a lot. I look at it as an Altima wagon, which isn't bad, in fact, they are available in 2WD. I'm waiting to buy an MDX (for 2004 when NAV is available in Canada) and the Murano is the only vehicle that has made me think about not waiting for an MDX and I've driven them all. Everyone should drive one for the CVT experience if for no other reason, they are a blast to drive IMHO. |
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| neide |
| The Murano has CVT? I thought that was a Audi thing? |
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| feliz |
| Yes, it's the first use of a CVT in an AWD application, the audi CVT is only available in 2WD apparently. Nissan is the worlds largest producer of CV transmissions. I'm not a Nissan salesman, I just discovered this when researching the Murano. |
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| MDXtrous |
It will definitely be an SUV to steal market share from the Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nissan is coming out with some amazing cars, first, the Altima, then the Z, then the G35s, and now this Murano. It will be a hit.
Too bad they don't have the 7 passenger capacity. Maybe later... |
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| neide |
| now that might be worth a test drive. Been dying to try that out. |
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| Mike_Platini |
I'm still wondering why people try to compare Murano with MDX. Did you make a test drive with BOTH vehicules ? Frankly, they are not in the same class ! Next year, Infiniti will introduce FX45 to compete with MDX.
Murano was initially planned to compete with Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer etc... but never with MDX. MDX is in the same class than X5, ML320, RX300 or XC90.
We got our '03 sandstone MDX last Friday and all I can say about this baby is AMAZING ! The seats are comfortable like first class seats in a Boeing 747 and the handiness is great. Its look is also great with the same color tailgate deflector and running boards.
At the beginning, I thought the XC90 would look better but I was wrong. Since last Friday, a lot of folks passed by our house, took a look at the MDX and asked a lot of questions :-)
After 3 years, where I live Montreal, Canada, you have to wait 3 months to get a MDX while it would take only several days to get a X5, ML320, QX45 or a Murano. |
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| hipchecked |
I'm a current X5 owner (don't throw stones at me). I'm still looking for the ultimate SUV, so I drove the Murano.
In simple terms, the Murano does not compare to the MDX or X5. I loved the Murano exterior styling, it's really well done. The Murano has X5 like interior space (smaller than the MDX) and a great engine. Then things get bad...
The Murano interior is very minivan like with a really lowsy set of plastics and gauges. While I thought the MDX interior was a bit above average, the Murano is just plain cheap. The Murano features a minivan like ledge under the windshield.
The Murano drivetrain is noisy, and not a pretty kind of noisy. The CVT responds well, but it just doesn't sound sexy. The suspension isn't bad, but it rolls more than the X5 and produces a solid thump on tar strips. The thumps are similar to the X5 and MDX, but I expected a more car like ride from the Murano.
Nissan added all kinds of goodies to the Murano, but they missed on the luxury component when you look at the price. Decent loaded Muranos sell in the 34 - 39K range. The MDX is a much better buy if you have that kind of cash to toss around. (I even like the Explorer better in that price range even though it's dull).
I really had hopes for the Murano. Hopefully Infiniti can do better with it. |
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| navybean |
| While the Nissan is smaller than the MDX, I think the Nissan has a better look. I don't know how much damage can be done to the Nissan because of the funky looks in a collision (bumper)becuase of the exterior. But for people who do not need the third row I think it is a cheaper alternative to the MDX.:cool: |
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| navybean |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike_Platini
[B]I'm still wondering why people try to compare Murano with MDX. Did you make a test drive with BOTH vehicules ? Frankly, they are not in the same class ! Next year, Infiniti will introduce FX45 to compete with MDX.
Murano was initially planned to compete with Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer etc... but never with MDX. MDX is in the same class than X5, ML320, RX300 or XC90.
Have you ever driven an X5 or ML??? The Acura and the Lexus RX300 are in the same class. Last time I checked the ML could do some offroad busniess. I don't even think my MDX will be able to handle some serious snow this year in So Cal!!!! |
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| hipchecked |
I'll tell you what I really found interesting with the bunch. In my opinion, the ML doesn't even drive as well as the Pilot! I really disliked the ML.
I drove a Pilot for the first time tonight. Not bad at all for the money. The Murano will have it's handsfull with the Pilot. The Pilot is cheaper and has an excellent drive train.
Even Honda isn't perfect. They put leather in the Pilot EX-L -- but -- they do not offer heated seats. That's a no-no here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota!
I do think Honda did a decent job keeping the Pilot and MDX apart.
Muranos biggest problem is price. It's not priced like the SUVs it wants to compete with. |
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| joelusa |
| :o The exterior design doesn't look very appealing to me. MDX still a winner! |
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| navybean |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike_Platini
I'm still wondering why people try to compare Murano with MDX. Did you make a test drive with BOTH vehicules ? Frankly, they are not in the same class ! Next year, Infiniti will introduce FX45 to compete with MDX.
Murano was initially planned to compete with Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer etc... but never with MDX. MDX is in the same class than X5, ML320, RX300 or XC90.
We got our '03 sandstone MDX last Friday and all I can say about this baby is AMAZING ! The seats are comfortable like first class seats in a Boeing 747 and the handiness is great. Its look is also great with the same color tailgate deflector and running boards.
At the beginning, I thought the XC90 would look better but I was wrong. Since last Friday, a lot of folks passed by our house, took a look at the MDX and asked a lot of questions :-)
After 3 years, where I live Montreal, Canada, you have to wait 3 months to get a MDX while it would take only several days to get a X5, ML320, QX45 or a Murano.
Just to second the opinion here--I don't know why everybody here is thinking the Murano is going to challange the MDX. Murano, if anything is here to challange the Highlander and 4Runner crowd. The Infinit FX45 is the challange for the MDX. It looks a little better than the MDX but the utility the MDX is much superioir to the FX45. My two cents.:1: |
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| ndahbar |
The Murano vs. MDX.
UGLY vs nice-looking.
Cheap-a$$ interior (especially those dreadful puke-flourescent orange gauge lights that unfortunately grace the very nice 350Z and G35) vs. nice.
Fast vs. not much slower at all actually.
Maybe the only thing it has on it is handling. But due to that, it falls far short of the 'X in many other areas. |
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| caroline |
Yes, it is wierd looking, not as bad as the Infinity, which is really wierd looking. But, we are all Biased here, we are convinced we bought the right vehicle and that's our story and we are sticking to it. If someone gave me a new Lexus rx330, I'd give it back, or maybe give it to my sister. (who needs a new car) THE HIGHLANDER IS AS EXCITING AS A FORD TAURUS WAGON. The RX is to small for big tall men, and the Mercedes is a nightmare on repairs, but don't tell that to a Mercedes ML person. Because they think the ML is the cats meow. Think of those crazy Hummer people.. gallons per mile instead of mpg...:jump3: :jump3:
ps.. X can handle serious ice & snow, drove in Nor'easter last week 1/3/03- through New England , 18 inches ice and snow - no plowed streets, she handled like a pro.... |
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| ndahbar |
No No, seriously, WHAT were they thinking to put such awful lighting for the gauges? Nissan...fire those idiots!
Caroline, you know something? If I was offered tomorrow an RX330 fully optioned-out for the same price as the MDX touring/nav/res and I get to pick the color, I think I'd take it instead. That's the only car. I personally don't care for the 7 seating of the 'X, and as long as the new Lexus isn't girly-looking, I would do it. Alas you guys will see, full option RX330 will be like 47K + tax. |
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| jurincie |
| I saw a Murano for the first time yesterday. I only saw it for a few seconds while driving, but my first impression is that from the side it looks like a four door AMC Gremlin. Something about that big blind spot between the rear window and the hatch reminds me of the shape of the Gremlin. Sure don't see any Gremlins on the road any more, a lot of the younger members here probably have never seen one. |
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| laborlitigator |
| The Murano I saw at the mall (on display) was $35K and awfully smallish compared to the X. |
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| Arzoo |
| Car & Driver recently previewed the Murano. They gave it tons of praise. Said it drove as well as the X5. I personally think the looks are a bit odd, inside and out. |
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| caroline |
quote:
I saw a Murano for the first time yesterday. I only saw it for a few seconds while driving, but my first impression is that from the side it looks like a four door AMC Gremlin. Something about that big blind spot between the rear window and the hatch reminds me of the shape of the Gremlin.
Didn't everyone know here, that the new look is "retro" 1950's & 1960's, look at how popular the new old Mini Cooper has become? The car manufacturers are just keeping up with the rest of the designers, take your wife/husband to the mall and hit William Sonoma or Renovation Hardware - you guys will see that old is new again, I remember my mother never throwing out any of her clothes, because she'd pull out old 10 year clothes and alter them a little and they would be in with the new style. (except for those poodle skirts, they never came back, thank heavens!) Personally, I went to school where we had to wear uniforms, so I buy the same thing in 4 different colors :) |
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| hipchecked |
Car & Driver was nuts. I own an X5 and drove the Murano.
The Murano is a bit softer and not as tight when turning. The biggest issue with the Murano is the interior, it's truly awful. |
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| Milton@mcdavid |
This vehicle looks alright has some neat features but by no strech of the imagination is it even close to compeiting with the MDX..the upscales FX35 and 45 comes close but even it is geared more to be a high performance crossover than a luxury SUV
:cool: |
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| Milton@mcdavid |
Re: MURANO vs MDX
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mike_Platini
I'm still wondering why people try to compare Murano with MDX. Did you make a test drive with BOTH vehicules ? Frankly, they are not in the same class ! Next year, Infiniti will introduce FX45 to compete with MDX.
Murano was initially planned to compete with Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer etc... but never with MDX. MDX is in the same class than X5, ML320, RX300 or XC90.
We got our '03 sandstone MDX last Friday and all I can say about this baby is AMAZING ! The seats are comfortable like first class seats in a Boeing 747 and the handiness is great. Its look is also great with the same color tailgate deflector and running boards.
At the beginning, I thought the XC90 would look better but I was wrong. Since last Friday, a lot of folks passed by our house, took a look at the MDX and asked a lot of questions :-)
After 3 years, where I live Montreal, Canada, you have to wait 3 months to get a MDX while it would take only several days to get a X5, ML320, QX45 or a Murano.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just to second the opinion here--I don't know why everybody here is thinking the Murano is going to challange the MDX. Murano, if anything is here to challange the Highlander and 4Runner crowd. The Infinit FX45 is the challange for the MDX. It looks a little better than the MDX but the utility the MDX is much superioir to the FX45. My two cents.
__________________
Naveen
2001 GG touring with navi
2000 VW Jetta VR6
Want:2004 VW Touareg
I agree with Mike, Navy bean and others from above to even consider these two vehicles in the class borders being ridicoulous ( vehicles close in price are'nt always close in
terms of class ) |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by Milton@mcdavid
Re: MURANO vs MDX
quote: The Infinit FX45 is the challange for the MDX. It looks a little better than the MDX but the utility the MDX is much superioir to the FX45. My two cents.
Don't agree that the FX45 looks better than the MDX but then again I am biased after owning my X for 7 months. The FX45's 300 HP would be easy to take however.
Does anyone know what the FX45 is based on? My guess is that it's the Nissan Maxima/Infiniti I35 with more HP and AWD. |
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| tigmd99 |
FX is based on the G35 platform, NOT the Altima.
The Murano is based on the Altima i think. |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
FX is based on the G35 platform, NOT the Altima.
The Murano is based on the Altima i think.
G35 is rear wheel drive, thought the FX was front (AWD) sort of like the MDX? |
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| TopDog |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
FX is based on the G35 platform, NOT the Altima.
The Murano is based on the Altima i think.
Both the Altima and G-35 share the same basic platform that mates to front, rear, and AWD vehicles. The FX35 & 45 are primarily rear wheel biased and the Murano is, like the MDX, front wheel biased.
The FX is rated at (I think I remember) 65 cubic ft with the rear sets folded. The Murano matches teh MDX at 82 cubes. My '98 Pathfinder has 85 cubic ft with the rear seats removed. |
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| A2MDXer |
quote:
Originally posted by navybean
Have you ever driven an X5 or ML??? The Acura and the Lexus RX300 are in the same class. Last time I checked the ML could do some offroad busniess. I don't even think my MDX will be able to handle some serious snow this year in So Cal!!!!
I am not sure what you mean here. While I think that the ML might be a bit more capable off road, that doesn't mean it handles snowy roads better. I think it's been discussed by many forum members that the MDX has quite good show capability. We get a fair share up here and the MDX has handled it quite well. Coming from a smaller vehicle, I had to get used to the weight of the MDX around the corners but it's very predictable. Maybe I just didn't catch the context of your comment. |
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| Mike_Platini |
This year we have more snow than usual (Montreal, Canada). And our '03 MDX handles the road very well, better than our 98 Pathfinder and 2000 Grand Cherokee.
IMHO, one thing for sure: In the heavy snow (15 inches or more), the '03 MDX is more stable and powerful than the 3.0 X.5 and ML320.
:1: |
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| hipchecked |
Bold statement on snow handling! That depends more on your tires than the SUV. The base Integrity on some MDXs are TERRIBLE! At least BMW gives the Michelin tires.
BMW does a sport tire on upgraded models, that is terrible in the snow. |
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| Desant |
Michelin tires make huge difference. I had Yokohama on my other SUV and it was not very good on wet road and bad on snow. I changed it to Michelin Cross-Terrains and it handles FANTASTIC on ice and snow - LOTS of ice and LOTS of snow!!! :)
My MDX Touring has same tires (factory installed) and same great handling. |
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