My last car was an '03 Nissan Murano SL AWD...and quite honestly, it took some getting used to. For starters I jumped into this from an '01 Lexus IS300 and the biggest adjustment I had to make was NOT the size of the vehicle...but the CVT drive train!!!
I had to deal with some changes to my business, so I opted for a vehicle with some versatility...I needed more room to fit some cargo in it for the occasional delivery I would have to make and the Murano certainly has more space than the IS! But the IS had the optional shift (manually) on the steering wheel which was FUN! So I had the feel of a formula one car with the Lexus and I used it frequently.
Getting into the Murano was a pretty big change, but it made sense and I bought the owner's (of the dealership) demo. This Murano is loaded! I am pretty sure that the only option I did not get was the DVD player. It has full leather, sunroof, in-dash Bose 6 CD player with a subwoofer built into the spare tire hold-down (pretty ingenious) and the navigation system. The Navigation girl is pretty cool...my son and I named her Jessica (Jess) and she is very helpful...although the checkered flag indicating the final destination at my house is off by about a block! But she has steered me in the right direction flawlessly on well over 100 trips!!!
The area in which I had to adjust is from a lifetime of "shifting". Whether you drive a 5 speed or an automatic it simply feels natural to 'feel' the car shift. In the Murano with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) it really has ONE gear. Step on the gas and wind the RPMs up to about 4000 and just wait for the car to catch up. I have to say that it is extremely smooth and before you know it you can be doing 90 MPH! The problem is that you never FELT yourself get there. I suppose this is a good thing...I'm in my 40s and once I got used to it I really enjoy the vehicle...if your still in your twenty's or really need to feel the acceleration then you may not like it.
As for the off-road capabilities...I like 90% of 4WD owners have never been off road with this vehicle. I do, however live in the northeast and the Murano handles the snow extremely well! Even with the 20" wheels and tires I have on it!
Overall I like the vehicle...yes only "like" the Murano. Maybe it is the need to actually feel the acceleration...sorry Nissan...I went with a Toyota truck !
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