Nissan flags mild Murano makeover

NISSAN has announced a mild makeover for its two-year-old second-generation Murano, which brings a number of cosmetic and equipment enhancements at the expense of modest price increases for the two-variant mid-size premium SUV range.

Due in showrooms from September, the 2012 Murano incorporates fresh exterior styling in the form of a new grille, bumper, headlights and tail-lights, plus new 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheel designs, revised roof rails (silver-finished on the flagship Ti model) and the addition of rear privacy glass.

In addition, foglights are now standard on the entry-level Murano ST, pricing for which increases by $1500, from $46,490 to $47,990 plus on-road costs.

Both 2012 Murano variants gain rain-sensing windscreen wipers, while the upgraded ST also adds a reversing camera, heated front seats and a Bose sound system with 2GB hard-drive and seven-inch colour display.

Priced $500 higher than before at $58,390, the top-shelf Murano Ti now features Nissan’s new-generation satellite-navigation system with 9GB hard-drive and USB and iPod connectivity.

There are no mechanical changes, meaning both Murano models continue to be powered by Nissan’s acclaimed 191kW/336Nm VQ35DE 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine. Matched with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission, both models still return combined average fuel consumption of 10.9 litres per 100km.

Nissan’s MkII Murano has continued to attract a solid following in Australia, where sales are down just 2.6 per cent in a medium SUV market segment that is down 14.6 per cent to May this year.