Hertz - "Ride Report" - 2006 Nissan Murano

Had to head to Eastern Washington State last weekend, and with snow, snow, and more snow having fallen on Snoqualmie Pass, I wanted AWD. So I took advantage of some great rates ($32 a day) and deals ($20 off plus 1000 UA miles) and chose a Nissan Murano S AWD. Of course, the road was bare and dry and the weather beautiful all weekend, but whacha gonna do? :)

Murano Homepage - http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,,127581,00.html

The vehicle can scoot, thanks to a 245hp/246lb-ft 3.5 liter V6 engine. However, mileage is pretty poor. I averaged a bit under 22mpg over 700 miles at a steady 70mph.

Interior comfort is quite good. Mine came with cloth seats - power driver and manual passenger. The instrument panel is to the usual high Nissan standards. There is a 7" color LCD display.

The climate control system is dual zone front and single zone rear. The sound system is basic, but adequate. AM/FM/CD with four speakers.

View out the front and sides is good, but the back view is pretty constrained.

Ride is good and the stability control helped with the high cross-winds I encountered off and on.

The rear cargo area is surprisingly roomy.

I like it better then the Ford Escape when I need a small SUV.

The Murano is also a favorite of mine in the Q segment -- more power than the Outback/Legacy, and sportier than the Escape/Santa Fe. The only real complaints I've had with them are fuel economy and some of the interior plastics quality. Other than that, it's a great vehicle. ^

I think it has pretty good MPG for that engine size and vehicle weight.

I never managed more than 21mpg for the 4cyl Outback and never more than 18mpg for our FX.