Nissan Murano

Nissan's midsized SUV uses a punchy, refined 3.5-liter six-cylinder paired with a continuously variable transmission. The cabin is quiet and well-finished, and has an upscale feel to it. Handling is not very sporty, with overly light steering that reduces driver confidence. The ride is steady and absorbent on the standard 18-inch tires but less so on the Platinum trim's 20-inch tires. Optional safety features include blind-spot and cross-traffic warnings. An available 8-inch color display houses the NissanConnect infotainment system. Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking is standard.

Emphasizing styling and interior finish over top-flight driving dynamics, this redesign of the Murano finds the model at once more luxurious, larger and further refined than those that came before it. Interior accommodations are generous, access is easy, and controls are mostly simple-to-use, including a well-designed touchscreen infotainment system. The plush cabin is impressively finished and quiet. The SL trim line is the sweet spot, with the Around View camera system, blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. Add the Technology package to get a moonroof and forward-collision warning with automatic braking.

The Murano's refined and powerful 3.5-liter V6 is mated to a CVT and delivers strong performance and respectable fuel economy. Handling is responsive, secure, and forgiving with optional stability control. A stiff and noisy ride is a significant drawback. The front seats are fairly comfortable and the interior is stylishly dressed. The 2009 redesign brought a more comfortable ride, a nicer interior, and standard ESC, but didn't improve upon cargo capacity. Expect 19 mpg overall from the 3.5-liter V6. Subsequent redesigns took the Murano away from budget-BMW sportiness and towards being more luxurious. Through the years, one constant remained though: limited rear visibility has always been a drawback. A convertible version arrived in 2012.

Looking for a budget BMW X5? Surprisingly, the first generation Nissan Murano fits the bill. This two-row SUV has responsive and nimble handling that makes it fun to drive. Look for one with the optional stability control, called VSC. Mated to a CVT, the Murano's refined and powerful 3.5-liter V6 delivers strong performance and respectable fuel economy at 19 mpg overall. However it does require premium fuel. A stiff and noisy ride is a more significant drawback, as is limited rear outward visibility. The front seats are fairly comfortable and the interior is stylishly dressed. Although access is easy and seating is roomy, cargo space is limited.