The verdict:
Versus the competiton:
I love chocolate and I have no problem telling the world. I’m thrilled to hear about the newest studies linking chocolate to strong emotional and physical wellbeing. When popping a piece into my mouth I simply feel good. It’s an indulgent treat that stimulates the secretion of endorphins, lowers my chance of cancer, and lowers my blood pressure. I don’t have to sacrifice decadence for health.
Driving the 2005 Nissan Murano feels almost as good as eating chocolate. I don’t have to sacrifice form for function. I look forward to my daily treat of driving the Murano as much as I look forward to a piece of chocolate after dinner.
The adjustable foot pedals in the Murano make it easy to tailor a seating configuration to fit all drivers in my family. I’m able to move the pedals to me rather than moving myself to the pedals. This is also great from a safety standpoint; the farther away I am from the steering wheel and airbag, the less risk of injury during an airbag deployment. A 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat is standard equipment on my test vehicle (the SE version).
The low entry height of the Nissan Murano means that both of my children can climb in without help. It’s also positioned just right for me to elegantly slide my derrière into the driver’s seat.
Despite its apparently compact body size, the Murano has cargo space to spare. My stroller, that’s quickly becoming nothing more than a purse carrier, lives in harmony with garden supplies, groceries, and my husband’s sweaty triathlon gear (don’t worry, I keep the produce separated from the sweat).
When I need extra cargo space and I’m not lugging children around (don’t ask me when that’d be, ’cause I simply can’t give an example of when I’m not with child), the seats fold as easy as pie with the help of a little latch located near the cargo door. They also fold by using a pull tab located on the seat itself.
Just like chocolate, the 2005 Nissan Murano has its downside. It’s not the fat content, so, what is the downside to the Murano? Well, it seats a total of five people and I can only fit two child car seats in it, so it’s not a carpooler’s dream. And, like many vehicles driven lately, I’m not thrilled about the center rear seatbelt that comes down from the ceiling.
A recent study performed by Strategic Vision offers statistical proof that I’m not alone in my sense of chocolate-induced nirvana while driving this car. The 2005 Nissan Murano (along with five other Nissans) received the highest overall score when rating owners’ emotional response to their Murano and any problems experienced with it.
*For more information on the Nissan Murano and its safety features visit Cars.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair – Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Groove-On
