The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV built since May 2002 for the 2003 model year, with a fourth generation revealed in October 2024. It was Nissan’s first crossover for the United States and Canada, designed at Nissan America in La Jolla, California, on the FF-L platform shared with the third-generation Altima. Its name comes from the Italian island of Murano and its art glass.
Nissan Murano at a glance
| Production | since May 2002 |
|---|---|
| First generation | Z50, from the 2003 model year |
| Platform | Nissan FF-L, shared with the third-generation Altima |
| Engine | 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6, 245 hp |
| Torque | 334 N·m |
| Gearbox | continuously variable transmission |
| Drive | front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive optional |
| Fuel economy | 13 L/100 km city, 10 L/100 km highway |
| European sales | from 2004 |
| Convertible | Murano CrossCabriolet, 2011–2014 |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Murano.
History of the Nissan Murano
Z50 (2002)
The first Murano was shown in production form at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. Its 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6 made 245 hp and 334 N·m, an engine also used in the Altima, Maxima and 350Z but tuned for the Murano. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive optional; the Murano was one of the largest vehicles to use a continuously variable transmission. Production started in mid-May 2002, with first cars shipped in early June for the United States and mid-July for Canada. European sales began in 2004 after the Geneva Motor Show premiere, and the car had fully independent suspension at all four wheels.
Updates and Japan
For 2006 in North America the Murano gained LED tail lamps and indicators, a colour information screen, an available reversing camera and a restyled front. In September 2004 it was introduced in Japan, replacing the Bassara MPV and sold at Nissan Red Stage, and from October at Nissan Blue Stage, where it replaced the Terrano. Japanese cars came with CarWings navigation as standard and offered a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic alongside the V6 and CVT. Nissan’s Cranfield technical centre built the Murano GT-C concept, with bigger brakes, revised suspension and a Garrett turbo raising power from 172 to 257 kW, a 0–100 km/h time of 7 seconds and a hand-blown glass gear lever.
Place in the range
The Murano was Nissan’s only crossover in the United States until the Rogue arrived in September 2007. Its size sat between the Pathfinder and the discontinued Xterra, and from 2011 to 2014 the second generation was also sold as the Murano CrossCabriolet, a convertible variant.
Design and features
- VQ35DE V6: 245 hp, shared with the 350Z and Maxima.
- CVT: one of the largest vehicles using a continuously variable transmission.
- GT-C concept: a turbocharged one-off with 257 kW.
- CrossCabriolet: a convertible Murano sold from 2011 to 2014.
Nissan Murano versions
- Murano Z50 (2002–2007): the first generation.
- Murano GT-C: the British-built performance concept.
- Murano CrossCabriolet (2011–2014): the convertible.
- Later Murano generations: with a fourth revealed in 2024.
The Murano replaced the Bassara in Japan and replaced the Terrano there, sitting below the Pathfinder. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: Testbericht Nissan Murano: Motorvision zeigt Nissans Mut
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Murano, English Wikipedia: design, Z50 engine and CVT, markets, GT-C, CrossCabriolet
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