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Instead of compromising the second row, which is likely used much more often, to squeeze in two little kid-pits under the rear glass, the Murano continues to champion spacious room for five. Then again, that focus on people compromises cargo space, at least in comparison to the competitive set.
The most important space -- that reserved for the driver -- gets a huge upgrade in the look and feel of materials. New features include an available smart-key system, rearview camera and updates for Nissan's top-notch touchscreen navigation system.
The only powertrain offered is a 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 attached to Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission. Nissan is the only automaker that believes in the CVT, which makes sense because it makes the best one out there. Power is smooth and linear, and the engine's confident power pairs perfectly to the CVT, virtually eliminating any unusual responses and the dreaded "rubber band" effect. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive a $1,600 option on lesser models.
Three trim levels are offered: S, SL and LE, ranging from a nicely equipped base of $27,650 to just over $40,000 for a fully loaded Murano with 20-inch wheels, a big sunroof and 9.3-gig Music Box hard drive, plus all sorts of fun accessories. Standard on all Muranos are basic rights too often overlooked, such as an aux jack. All safety features are standard, too, including six airbags, stability control with traction control, ABS and the like.
To drive, the Murano feels smaller than it is and more responsive than a crossover of this size has any right to feel. The steering is quick and precise, but the ride is also refreshingly quiet at speed. The setup is pretty near ideal: You can attack a favorite stretch of road without upsetting your passengers, and pavement imperfections are swallowed up without comment. At the same time, fuel economy is EPA rated at 18/23, but a recent comparison test in Car and Driver found it returned 3 mpg better than the Ford Edge, Dodge Journey, Mazda CX-7 and Hyundai Santa Fe. And it outran them all to 60 mph.
Yes, the new nose is a point of contention: Drive reader Frank Johnson e-mailed recently that he thought I'd been too tough on the Honda CR-V -- "You dis the CR-V more than you should, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder!" -- and he's completely right.
If the CR-V is "unaccountably awkward," the Murano is something even more outlandish, let's say otherworldly. And, yet, somehow, I really like how it all works together; it's new and dazzlingly unique, true to the Murano ethic.
Maybe this focus on five-place comfort over seven-seat possibility isn't the path to huge sales numbers, but the focus on the interior, where owners will spend so much of their time, assures Nissan a place in drivers' and passengers' hearts.
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