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At Nissan of Keene we strive to provide our customers the most complete sales and service experience anywhere. While we know that Nissan features the industry's best line-up, we understand that outside opinions matter too. Please feel free to the reviews below from some of the industry's top experts.


2009 Nissan Maxima - Short Take Road Test

Nissan redirects its flagship back toward its original, sporty mission. But can it stay the course?

BY JARED GALL
May 2008

 

Nissan execs admit that, in the wake of the company?s merger with Renault, the Maxima was given second billing to the Altima when it came time for their respective redesigns?especially after the current Altima debuted in 2007 wearing hand-me-down duds from its big brother. The two cars were nearly indistinguishable, and the Altima?s optional 270-hp V-6 meant it was more powerful than the flagship Maxima.

The 2009 Maxima changes that. The eye-catching shape, with its liquid-like flow, will be mistaken for nothing in the Nissan stable but does share many cues with the current Infiniti design philosophy, particularly that of the recently introduced 2009 FX. And the power issue is resolved with a bump of 20 horsepower over the Altima?s optional V-6, endowing the Maxima with 290.

Sporty starts with size, and the 2009 Maxima reverses the trend toward bigger and heavier by shedding inches in nearly every critical dimension. Length is down almost four inches, wheelbase has been cut by two, and the roof is a half-inch lower. Width is up 1.5 inches, however, for a sportier stance. If back-seat passengers miss those longitudinal inches, at least they now have extra space to splay their knees. Unless Maxima passengers are circus-sized, however, they shouldn?t have any complaints. Seats front and rear are comfortable and firmly bolstered, with the rear seats perhaps more comfortable and snug than the fronts.


More Power + Less Weight = Hi-Ho!

As a result of the downsizing, the new Maxima weighs in right on top of the old model?3669 pounds for our tester. More power and less weight conspire to cut the Maxima?s 0-to-60-mph acceleration time to 5.8 seconds from 6.1; and the sedan now clocks 14.5 seconds at 98 mph in the quarter-mile. An important part of those numbers is the Maxima?s next-generation CVT, which zings the engine to its power peak and allows it to stay there while the speedo twirls toward the high end?good for performance numbers, not so good for aural enjoyment.

What we would usually call top-gear acceleration?if it weren?t technically inaccurate to call it that when a CVT is involved, as there are no real ?gears??is quite impressive: 30-to-50 and 50-to-70 mph take just 3.2 and 3.6 seconds, respectively. Passing on a two-lane is a quick and stress-free affair, and the power and response of the CVT are fun and addicting. For a vehicle routing 290 horsepower through the front wheels, there is surprisingly little torque steer. A gentle tug to the right is easily controlled by a single finger; with two hands firmly on the wheel, the driver will not notice.


For those gleeful moments when speed limits fade from worry and maximum lateral load becomes mission critical, the CVT can play manual transmission, with paddles selecting from six preprogrammed ratios, the right paddle pulling higher gears and the left dropping down for tight carousels. Beautifully shaped and rendered in a rich-looking faux aluminum, the shift paddles are mounted to the steering column instead of the wheel, so the driver always knows where they are through the most serpentine stretches. They summon immediate responses from the transmission, although some of our crew thought they lacked the positive feel of, say, Mercedes-Benz?s paddle shifters.



2009 Nissan Murano First Drive Don?t mess (too much) with a good thing

IntroductionNissan Murano ? 2009 First Drive: Hot damn that was some good chicken salad.

In its simplest form, there?s not much to the recipe: chunks of chicken and mayonnaise. Even our aging bachelor editor can whip this up?provided the microwave doesn?t overcook the bird, the plastic utensils don?t break, and the mayonnaise hasn?t sat on the countertop long enough to look like congealed pickles. Might want to opt for the low-carb, non-bread version, too, if you know what?s good for you.

But here we were, having lunch at a postcard-perfect horse ranch just after driving the 2009 Nissan Murano, feasting on some killer chicken salad. This concoction had some dried cranberries, nuts, a bit of crunchy celery, and as the coup de gras, it was overflowing from a buttery croissant. Dude, this stuff rocked.

Someone had obviously taken the time to develop a menu, but how this one choice reflected the car we were evaluating was surely chance. At its core, the Nissan Murano is a solid vehicle, one drawing in hundreds of thousands of customers and is a proven seller for its maker. It was a hit when first created, but like everything in life, tastes change and the injection of a little flavor becomes necessary. So, for 2009, the basic Murano recipe has been jazzed up with a fresh appearance, higher-quality materials, and a generous list of standard and optional features such as fully-integrated iPod compatibility and an expansive dual-panel moonroof. Consider these the Murano?s dried cranberries and celery slices. The result demonstrates a safe approach to broadening appeal, yet remaining close enough to the original to satisfy the faithful, and that?s enough to keep buyers and dealers alike happy for years to come.

Origins
When it first launched for the 2003 model year, the Murano hit what was then a shallow crossover pool with a ?Cannonball!? It looked like nothing else available and provided Nissan with some much-needed sales and positive attention. Since then, the Murano?s field of competition has grown, yet so have its sales. For that reason, Nissan took a delicate approach with the 2009 update, aiming for an evolved Murano over something totally new and possibly polarizing.
When it goes on sale in January, the 2009 Murano will signal the end of the run for the 2007s ? the 2008 model year was skipped.

The Basics: Model Mix
As was the case previously, Nissan offers the Murano in three designations, though they?ve changed a bit for 2009. The base S model, available with front- or all-wheel drive, has been carried over, as have been front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the mid-level Murano SL. What changes is the top dog, which is now dubbed LE rather than SE and is always packed with all-wheel drive.
Despite being labeled the entry-level variant, the S features the same 265-horsepower engine as all other Muranos, backed by an updated continuously-variable transmission. These base models also boast LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a push-button ignition system, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, the usual array of electronic bonuses such as power windows and mirrors, a keyless entry system, and a six-speaker sound system with an MP3 auxiliary jack. Pricing has not been announced, but Nissan officials suggest figures should align closely with the outgoing Murano, so look for the S to start at about $28,000.

Shoppers interested in a few added creature comforts will want to consider the 2009 Nissan Murano SL. Again, if pricing remains consistent with the 2007 model as expected, look for the SL to start at about $30,000. For that extra chunk of change buyers will enjoy a few added styling cues such as front fog lights, rear privacy glass, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls. There?s also an eight-way power driver?s seat and a power-operated split rear bench seat.

Positioned at the top of the hill, and poised to take on competitors that Nissan believes include the luxurious Lexus RX 350, is the all-wheel-drive Murano LE. In exchange for a base price that should settle in the low $30,000s, the LE buyer will be rewarded with 20-inch alloy wheels, high-intensity headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, Bose audio (with optional XM satellite radio service), and rain-sensing windshield wipers. There?s also built-in iPod integration that allows for seamless access to your personal music library, a power passenger?s seat, apower tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a rear park-assist camera with a seven-inch dash screen, wood grain interior accents, and a power liftgate. Should that not be enough, Nissan has tossed in an innovative cargo organizer that folds out of the rear floor, heated front and rear leather-clad seats, and memory functions for the driver. Clearly, Nissan is serious about moving the Murano a few pegs up on the luxury ladder.

Then there are the options. The Convenience Package dresses up the S with rear privacy glass and roof rails while adding the protection of a car alarm. Murano SL models can be fitted with a Premium Package including many of the LE?s features such as Bose audio, the rearview camera with in-dash display screen, and the rear cargo organizer. SLs with the Leather Package feature soft cowhide upholstery and heated front buckets, a rear DVD system offers up a nine-inch fold-down screen, and the Technology Package tacks on the power liftgate, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. Finally, the LE can be tricked out with a Moonroof Package boasting a large front sunroof and expansive rear glass panel, while a Navigation Package includes optional XM Nav Traffic and 9.3 gigabytes of storage space for music.

What?s New: Outside
When it first launched, the Murano grabbed attention with cutting-edge styling. That look helped the Murano increase sales each year, so it stands to reason that Nissan wouldn?t make any drastic changes when sketching the update for 2009. With less than an inch of added length and height, the ?09 model nearly mirrors the silhouette of the outgoing ?07 version, but there are a few key differentiators. Most noticeable is the new face, set off by dramatic new headlights that continue the horizontal line of the updated grille instead of arching upward into the fenders. Those fenders rise to a point with a hood that then sinks toward the middle and presents a strong-shouldered appearance. Along the sides are wide fender flares that drop last year?s curves in favor of a knife-edge surface, the indented lower body accent has been scrapped, and the belt line climbs rearward rather than sticking to a strictly horizontal plane. Things wrap up with a clean new tail design that bears a resemblance to that of the all-new and smaller Nissan Rogue crossover. Like the headlights, the LED taillights are placed horizontally and now incorporate amber turn signals and the reverse lamps, which used to surround the center license plate frame. The rear glass has been expanded a bit and red reflectors have been added to the rear bumper.

Inside
In an effort to move the Murano upscale, the 2009 model gets an interior more along the lines of what buyers might expect behind an Infiniti badge. In general, the new cabin offers a more streamlined flow with fewer varying surfaces and textures to break things up. The gauge cluster is now integrated into the dash, the center instrument stack resembles those found in recent Infinitis, and the materials take a jump forward in terms of quality.

Under the Hood
The updated Murano rides on an all-new chassis shared with the redesigned Altima and employs the familiar 3.5-liter V-6, now boasting 265 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. An Xtronic CVT, tweaked for quicker shifts and smoother power delivery, directs the engine?s output to the front or all four wheels. Standard on LE and optional on S and SL models, the Murano?s all-wheel-drive system features a new yaw rate sensor for improved handling and traction and can distribute up to 50 percent of the engine?s power to the rear wheels. These improvements are above and beyond the redesigned, lightweight aluminum suspension system and speed-sensitive steering setup that?s been reworked for better road feel.

Safety
The advanced all-wheel-drive system is designed for safety as well as handling, as are standard stability and traction control systems. Antilock disc brakes are supported by electronic brake force distribution and brake assist technology. Front-side and side-curtain airbags are included with every Murano purchase, crucial safety features that work in conjunction with front active head restraints and a rollover sensor to keep occupants protected in the event of an accident. A tire pressure monitor is also standard.

Driving: Test Car, Location
When pulling up the driveway to what would be our home for the next 36 hours, we wondered if maybe this was a trip for a new retro ride like the Dodge Challenger and not the 2009 Nissan Murano. See, the Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona is a remodeled motel, a throwback to the early days of road tripping, albeit now with faux outdoor fire pits and big screen plasmas in every suite. It?s classic with a seriously modern twist, whereas the new Murano is modern with, well, an even more modern twist.
With plenty of new features available for 2009, we opted for a well-equipped Murano LE AWD. Ours was sprayed in a deep, luxurious Merlot and featured an optional dual-panel sunroof and a navigation system with fully-integrated iPod controls. Our route took us to the Rancho Los Lagos in picturesque Sedona. If you should every find yourself in the vicinity, ask about walking the trail at the rear of the property for access to amazing views of the surrounding valley.

Performance
The latest Murano features the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine as its predecessor, though there?s an additional 25 horsepower for the driver to enjoy. Manipulating that power is easier thanks to an upgraded CVT that offers more go and less show. Unlike many CVTs, this unit delivers power quickly and doesn?t spend inordinate amounts of time hanging at redline. Even so, we longed for more deliberate response when the throttle was pinned to the floor, and would welcome a sport or manual-shift mode. Over the course of about 300 varied miles, we averaged about 19 mpg.

Ride and Handling
In keeping with its more upscale aspirations, the 2009 Murano offers a quiet, subdued ride that lets the good stuff in and keeps the bad stuff out. The LE?s steering wheel, wrapped in soft leather, translates the road surface to the driver?s hands and offers a modicum of response at high speeds. Brakes are always effective, to the point of sometimes feeling over-sensitive, and the suspension does an admirable job of maintaining a controlled ride. Though it?s a bit stiff over big bumps, the Murano is no sport crossover, as evidenced by the body will roll and the front end plow when it?s pushed too aggressively into even moderate corners. But with a focus on the Lexus RX 350 and its buyers, Nissan engineers were obviously zeroing in on comfort and control versus athleticism, and viewed in that light, the Murano delivers.

Comfort
Anyone who has driven 300 miles in a single day is aware (possibly painfully) of what vehicle comfort is all about. For those who do it regularly, the Murano is definitely worth a look. Our LE?s power, heated and leather-clad front buckets were immensely comfy, and we appreciated the soft, padded armrests and power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The rear bench seat also included padded armrests and provided plenty of room for our five-foot-eight-inch editor. 

Controls
All controls within the Murano?s cabin are logically-placed and easy to use, though the primary audio and climate control knobs are small. Despite this minor annoyance, we had no problems operating these systems, including separate heated seat buttons and secondary steering wheel-mounted radio controls. The iPod integration with the navigation system is as simple as they come, and the center instrument control center can be understood quickly.