High quality 2016 Nissan Murano catches your eye, stirs emotions

The two midsize crossover wagons that belong at the top of any shopping list are the Nissan Murano and Kia Sorento.

The Murano’s cabin is lovely, though there isn’t not as much space as you might hope for.

Both are safe and boast class-leading quality. The Murano is the more eye-catching design, but the Sorento has an infotainment interface that is a little more user-friendly.

Overall, the five-passenger Murano would be my choice if you don’t need third-row seating. Ah, but the Sorento can be configured to seven, and the extra row comes at barely any premium at all over a five-seat Murano.

Regardless, we’re looking at two family haulers with excellent quality. In the latest long-term J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), the Murano led its class, ahead of Toyota’s 4Runner and Venza. Consumer Reports rates the Sorento its top pick among midsize SUVs (sport-utility vehicles).

Since the introduction of the third-generation design for the last model year, the Nissan Murano has experienced record sales up 30 percent through the first 11 months of calendar year 2015 thanks to its concept car-like styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. For 2016, Murano remains virtually unchanged. Like the original Murano, the latest version is a highly sculptural, highly emotional design one that stands out in a field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling. Working to capture the breathtaking spirit and artistry of the first Murano, the designers began by concentrating on the vehicles sculptural qualities. Breaking the usual order of sketching, computer renderings and then clay modeling, the Murano team started working with small three-dimensional clay forms literally exploring organic shapes and volumes with mini desktop sculptures. The process helped narrow down a new Nissan design direction focused on lightness and efficiency.

This is an emotional design. If you don’t react emotionally, you are a cold fish, indeed.

The Murano’s obvious edge is the design. Where the Sorento is clean but unimaginative, the Murano is a stylistic standout — from the so-called “V-motion grille,” to the “boomerang” lamp signatures front and rear. The Murano wagon has presence not usually seen in two-box wagons.

On top of all that, big wheels, muscular rear haunches, dual chrome exhaust finishers, LED rear combination lights and the rest are the sorts of details that set one design apart from the rest. If you don’t react emotionally to the Murano, you are a cold-hearted sort.

Inside, the material quality is terrific, though the actual cabin space up front is tighter than you’d expect. That’s the price of a “cockpit” design. It’s probably okay to feel squeezed in a fighter jet, but not so much in a car.

The driver has quite the view.

For the driver, instruments are housed smartly in a binnacle and the controls for infotainment are as easy to operate as your Samsung Galaxy or iPhone. Nissan has wisely taken a page out of the best smartphone makers with this interface.

Seats? Nissan makes a big deal out of its “Zero Gravity” design, but this seems more hype than reality – at least where the front passenger is concerned. In fact, I found the driver’s seat far, far more comfortable than the shotgun position. The cargo area is class-leading and wonderfully useful and accessible.

This Murano is terrific to drive for this class – easy to enjoy on straights and in turns, quiet (acoustic laminated windshield, sound-absorbent roof trim, etc.), streamlined (low 0.31 drag coefficient), light-feeling and powered by a perfectly responsive, 260-horsepower V-6.

A strong look at the rear.

At a base price of $29,998, don’t overlook the Murano among midsize crossovers. If you’re bored with the shapes of so many other mainstream crossovers, and want a rig that covers all the basics – safety, quality, reliability, fuel economy – the Murano is an excellent choice.

2016 NISSAN MURANO SV AWD

THE LOOK: How does a car company jazz up a two-box wagon? Focus on the details: standard LED daytime running lights (LED headlamps optional), sexy LED taillamps, big wheels, sheetmetal details and even the available panoramic roof. You’ll notice this going down the road.

THE DRIVE: The V-6 is quick to respond and the CVT is as good as this sort of gearbox gets in terms of putting some feel into the driving experience. Fuel economy is very good. For a tall wagon it does not feel tippy.

The Murano seats five, but a third row to provide space for seven passengers is not available — as it is with Kia’s Sorento.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS: Big praise for the infotainment system, not to mention the panoramic (available) sunroof and the advanced lighting.

THE CABIN/STORAGE: The controls are smart-phone easy to operate and the material quality, fit and finish resonate. But up front, the cockpit design makes for a tight fit if you’re a reasonably large human. In the cargo area, useful tie-downs and such are in place, as they should be.

THE BRAND: Nissan is a mid-level brand trying hard to improve.

WHY BUYS? Baby boomers and family types with healthy budgets.

Price: $36,898. Freight: $1,795.

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6 (260 hp/240 lb-ft of torque).

Transmission: continuously variable or CVT.

Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 11.2 city/8.3 highway using regular fuel.

Comparables: Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Grand Cherokee.