Nissan made the clever choice of ditching those boring 2-liter four-bangers you see in every other SUV these days for a proper 3.5 Liter V6 available with 2017 Nissan Murano, that makes a healthy 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. The only downside is that it works with a conservative CVT transmission fit for an insurance clerk who can't tell the difference between a GT-R and a Maxima. But if you aren't a petrol-head and wouldn't bother yourself about perfectly-timed gear shifts, the new CVT will suit you just fine.
Models
|
Nissan Murano S
|
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
|
Chevrolet Traverse 1SM
|
Dodge Durango SXT
|
MSRP
|
$29,770
|
$31,490
|
$29,595
|
$29,995
|
Engine
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3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6
|
3.6L, Naturally Aspirated Pentastar V6
|
3.6L V6 SIDI VVT
|
3.6L, Naturally Aspirated Pentastar V6
|
Drivetrain
|
FWD
|
RWD
|
FWD
|
RWD
|
Transmission
|
CVT w/OD
|
8-Speed Automatic w/OD
|
6-Speed Automatic
|
8-Speed Automatic w/OD
|
Power
|
260 hp @ 6,000 rpm
|
293 hp @ 6,400 rpm
|
281 hp @ 6,300 rpm
|
293 hp @ 6,400 rpm
|
Torque
|
240 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
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260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
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266 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm
|
260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
|
The competitors are all equipped with slightly bigger V6 motors making a few more ponies but the Murano doesn't exactly fall at the back of the pack and you'll find out why in the next section. It is also one of the cheapest offerings in this segment and is on par with the likes of the Chevy Traverse and Dodge Durango. The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango are the most powerful in this comparision with 293 hp.
2017 Nissan Murano 0-60 mph Acceleration Performance
Normally you would get into a Nissan Murano and expect to be passed on the highway by anything on four wheels but the case is certainly different here as this new model accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 7.3 seconds and will ultimately finish the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds.
Models
|
Nissan Murano
|
Jeep Grand Cherokee
|
Chevrolet Traverse
|
Dodge Durango
|
0-60 MPH
|
7.8 sec
|
7.9 sec
|
8.1 sec
|
7.8 sec
|
Quarter mile
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16.1 sec
|
16.0 sec
|
16.4 sec
|
15.9 sec
|
Engine
|
3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6
|
3.6L, Naturally Aspirated Pentastar V6
|
3.6L V6 SIDI VVT
|
3.6L, Naturally Aspirated Pentastar V6
|
Top Speed
|
141 mph
|
135 mph
|
132 mph
|
139 mph
|
The figures clearly indicate that the 2017 Nissan Murano is quicker than the Chevrolet Traverse and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Murano also manages to match the Durango in the 0-60 mph sprint. Also, it is quicker than the Chevy on the quarter-mile drag strip but is only a few milliseconds slower than the other two SUVs.
2017 Nissan Murano's Braking Performance
A significant upside that contributes to the performance and safety of the 2017 Nissan Murano is the braking system that does its job fairly well. The brakes in the front are 12.6-inch and the ones in the rear are 12.1-inch in diameter. It can get to a full stop from 60 mph in just 119 feet which puts it almost on par with the competition.
Model
|
Nissan Murano
|
Jeep Grand Cherokee
|
Chevrolet Traverse
|
Dodge Durango
|
Brake Front (in)
|
12.6
|
13.0
|
12.8
|
13.0
|
Brake Rear (in)
|
12.1
|
13.0
|
13.0
|
13.0
|
Curb Weight (lbs)
|
3,769
|
4,545
|
4,713
|
4,913
|
60-0 MPH (ft)
|
119
|
116
|
120
|
124
|
The braking distance of the Nissan Murano is right up there amongst the best and as it also manages to beat the Chevrolet Traverse and the Dodge Durango. Only the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a shorter stopping distance than the Murano, in a panic braking situation.
Has the Ride and Handling of the 2017 Nissan Murano improved?
The performance figures might suggest that the Murano rides like a European hot hatch whenever you push it but in reality, it rides like any other tame SUV that gives you enough power when you need it and enough calm and quiet when you don't. The CVT used here is a very efficient one but doesn't guarantee Patrol-like excitement on the freeway.
The heated steering is a little dull but it tries its best to give you necessary feedback via the electrical systems onboard. As long as you don't expect a corner-hugging sports-car out of it, the very comfortable and smooth ride this new Nissan provides is more appreciable than you might think.
What is the towing capacity of the 2017 Nissan Murano?
The Nissan Murano has a total towing capacity of only 1,499 lbs which is below par with the competition. The lack of power and torque of the engine is clearly felt in this regard as all other SUVs in the segment offer at least twice the capacity as that of the Nissan Murano.
Model
|
Nissan Murano
|
Jeep Grand Cherokee
|
Chevrolet Traverse
|
Dodge Durango
|
Capacity (lbs)
|
1,499
|
3,500
|
5,200
|
6,200
|
The 2017 Nissan Murano is the sore loser here as its nearest competitor, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, also offers more than twice its capacity. The Dodge Durango on the other hand offers more than four times the capacity of Murano at 6,200 lbs, while the Chevy Traverse is placed second with a 1,000 lbs lower capacity than the Dodge Durango.