Road Test: '10 Nissan Murano does almost everything right

Tough economic times, the arrival of the smaller Nissan Rogue and a few tough new competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox probably are responsible for the bleedoff last year of about 25 percent of Nissan Murano sales.

Still, more than 50,000 Americans thought enough of this midsize five-passenger SUV to buy it, and, after a week with one, it's easy to see why. Not the newest contender - it was redesigned for the '09 model year - the Murano still does everything quite well. The ride is competitive, the handling is sportier than many other SUVs, the acceleration with the 265 hp. V-6 is stirring and the interior is as beautifully trimmed and as quiet on the road as an Infiniti's, without the luxury price tag.

One of the earliest of the carlike "crossover" SUVs, the first Murano arrived for the '04 model year, as American drivers were souring on truckier SUVs for their rough rides and poor fuel economy. It shares structural and mechanical basics with the Altima sedan.

Its reliability has been good and its crash-test performance has been good if not great - only four out of a possible five stars in the federal frontal crash test, for example. Its prices are fair considering its strengths. Muranos begin at $28,850 with freight in front- drive versions, and $30,450 with all-wheel drive.

But Murano buyers have no choice of engines: The V-6 is it and its fuel economy is no better than the low 20s in miles per gallon - by estimate of the EPA and by my experience in seven days of mostly highway driving. Some competitor midsize SUVs, including the Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe, can be had with four-cylinder engines that eke out a few more miles per gallon - albeit for a compromise in performance.

The '09 Murano redesign added 25 more horsepower and gave it a new structure, suspension and steering - the last as nicely weighted and communicative as any of Nissan's cars, except perhaps the Z. A new dashboard is aesthetically choppy but ergonomically flawless. Seats are first rate, but rear legroom is a couple of inches short of some competitors, including the Pilot, Highlander and Equinox.

The first pillars supporting the roof are wide enough to impair visibility in turns. And the last pillar on the right side gets in the way during left-to-right lane changes. Rear visibility is excellent but the optional rearview camera is a wise investment for extra safety when backing up.

The continuously variable automatic transmission is more drivable and more "natural" in performance than most CVTs I've encountered, allowing the engine revs to rise and fall more as one expects with the more common-type of transmission having fixed gear ratios.

2010 Nissan Murano SL AWD

Vehicle tested:

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 265 hp.

Fuel: Premium for best performance

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic, all-wheel drive

Safety: Six air bags; 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist and stability control; fog lamps; tire pressure monitoring, rear camera; fog lamps.

Place of assembly: Fukuoka, Japan

Cargo room: Rear seat up: 31.8 cubic feet; seat down: 64.5

EPA fuel economy estimates: 18 mpg, city; 23 highway

Price as driven: $36,100 with freight

Bottom line: An excellent family wagon.