An afternoon with Nissan's Murano

My drive had arrived. Behind the wheel was David Crawford, marketing officer at Fidelity Motors, Nissan Jamaica's sole dealership. He had come to The Gleaner's 7 North Street headquarters to hand over the keys to my gleaming new, near-factory fresh, 2012 Nissan Murano - but only for the afternoon.

I would be reviewing the flagship model, the Ti, powered by a 260 BHP, 3498cc DOHC V6 engine, sitting comfortably on 18" alloy wheels which come as standard and a full leather interior, evident down to the fine stitching lining the steering wheel. And it was the smell of leather that I was immediately greeted by, long before David's outstretched hand met mine in the form of a handshake on stepping into the car.

At first glance the cockpit, dashboard and centre console are as comprehensive as one would expect in a new car, including dual-zone climate control; but amongst the premium-quality leather, plastics do exist. Buttons line both sides of the steering wheel - controls for radio/ six CD-changer, Bluetooth connectivity for cellular phones and cruise control, the latter a fixture that would warrant most usage on Jamaica's highways and toll roads.

The 2012 Murano has been fully redesigned. However, it still possesses the distinctive Murano contorted, kinetic design. A revised imposing chrome grille fascia, dual exhaust pipes and a small rear spoiler with integrated brake light, give it a sporty look that is underscored by diamond shaped tail lights and a new roof-rail design.

keyless entry

Keyless entry ensures that your 2012 Murano has a 'push start' feature, giving it that race car feel, but this feature also allows for peace of mind in terms of security - no searching for your key in your bag or briefcase late at night. The keyless entry is based on proximity technology; once the 'fob' is within a metre of the car the doors can be opened, starting with the driver's side.

As expected, the drive is comfortable, with the cushioned feel of the suspension, coupled with the height of the driver's position and the successful marrying of car and SUV into the so-called 'crossover'. Despite a high centre of gravity, the Murano sticks to the road thanks to all-wheel drive and a traction-control option that keeps the vehicle stable when cornering and in bad weather. The steering wheel and driving seat have memory settings for multiple drivers and, additionally, lumbar support and heated seats - the latter an unnecessary fixture in Jamaica's tropical climate.

In the city your Murano will give you 20 miles per gallon (MPG) but on the highway, expect 23 MPG. For the metric-minded, this translates to 8.5 and 9.78 kilometres per litre, respectively. The Murano's 3.5 litre V6 engine will take you from 0-60 MPH (96.5 kilometres per hour) in a respectable 7.2 seconds and the vehicle's optional sequential gear shift offers drivers a sportier, more controlled drive. Nissan's 'Xtronic' Continuosly Variable Transmission ensures you're always at optimum revs and anti-lock braking supports the vehicle's comprehensive safety features, with front, front-side and roof mounted side-curtain airbags.

The Murano's off-road capabilities include its ability to tow 1500 KG when braked and 750 KG unbraked at a 28 degree approach angle.

Nissan's team of designers has incorporated sufficient noise-absorption elements, but still allowed enough exterior sound to breach the car's inner sanctum for the occupants to hear the roar of the engine accelerating through the six gears.

The 2012 Murano will seat five people comfortably, with enough boot space for a substantial amount of luggage. As a car, it provides a buffer between the high-end luxury to the medium-range SUV range, and is definitely a vehicle for the urban jungle and the bad country 'roads'.

Its Jamaican competitors are the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX, Audi Q5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Range Rover Sport and, with a price tag of JA$6.2 million, reduced from JA$9 million with the new tax levies announced by the Government, it may well be worth a test drive.