Our view: 2003 Nissan Murano

When Nissan was passing around the hat looking for suggestions on a name for its latest, curvaceous sport utility vehicle, it’s no wonder a small Italian island city popped into the mix.

Murano is as famous for its handcrafted artistry as it is for its proximity to Venice. Murano is stylish, memorable and remarkable. Its blown-glass products are considered a leader in cutting-edge design and technology.

The Nissan Murano, the automaker’s newest five-passenger sport utility vehicle, wears the name well. Freshly docked on North American shores, Nissan said the design theme on its new “crossover” was meant to be “sculpture in motion.” With a heavy dose of rounded contours it could easily fit into one of those Italian glass shops. With an even heavier dose of advanced technology and versatility, it will easily fit into an intense sport utility showroom that is expanding by the hour.

We’re here to say this one is worth the wait.

The first thing you notice about the Murano is the style, a daring shape that says 350Z (Nissan’s reintroduction of its venerable, and flashy, sports car) more than it does SUV. The headlights look borrowed from the Z, the flanks are sculpted, there are 18-inch wheels and an avant-garde interior.

But looks are hardly skin deep here, nor is the intention.

As Nissan’s first “soft-roader” – the Murano is not truck-based, like some SUVs – the automaker is hardly shy about the intention. Marketed as an “urban” SUV, the Murano is a crossover geared toward performance on pavement rather than prowess in the wilderness. Most buyers see a whole lot more of the former, and not much of the latter, so Nissan is targeting buyers who want a medium-size luxury ride that will not break the bank but may crack a few smiles.

So why will it? We’ll give it the edge on ride. Price is another issue.

At more than $30,000 loaded up, the Murano is not a cheap thrill. But it is a blast. Its platform is based on the new Altima and, as such, arrives with four-wheel independent suspension. But in the Murano, the wheels have been pushed out to the corners, allowing a long wheelbase and wide stance with a manageable overall length.

Powered by Nissan’s popular 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 245 horsepower, the Murano comes as a front or permanently engaged all-wheel-drive system that uses a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.

Unlike conventional stepped gear automatics, the new Nissan CVT, the first available in a Nissan vehicle in North America, operates as essentially “one gear” through the use of a belt and two pulleys, resulting in a smoother, more efficient operation. Nissan will even offer the option of an automanual-style shifter for the CVT with seven “speeds” for those who can’t leave the shifter behind.

The all-wheel-drive option is a system that automatically transfers power to the wheels with the best grip.

A stability co ntrol system (called Vehicle Dynamic Control) will be available, as will standard four-wheel vented disc brakes. But back to style.

Inside the Murano, Nissan wanted to create an environment rich with unique qualities a la the exterior. Mission accomplished.

There are adjustable pedals and a tilting wheel with a movable gauge pod, like the one found in the 350Z.

There are rear-seat air-conditioning outlets in the pillars and dual-zone front-seat climate controls. And there is a lot of aluminum, a unique horizontal-view navigation system, a seven-speaker Bose stereo and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat will be optional. State-of-the-art features, including front and rear side-curtain air bags, are standard on the Murano.

And all of it looks so good – a funky design making way for fundamental placement of things such as climate controls and center gauges.

But no “crossover” would be complete without cargo. Here, the Murano also looks good.

With remote releases in the rear compartment, the rear seatbacks fold forward to create more space or recline to create more comfort. There are also plenty of storage bins, a two-tiered lockable center console storage box with room to hold a laptop computer and door pockets with a flip-put function.

It rides tight – maybe too firm for some – but it has the gas to take you down the twisty roads and into the corners. Its brake feel is solid, and the fun quotient is in the upper reaches of the driving spectrum – something not common in most SUVs.

Yes, a lack of a third-row seat is regrettable.

Yes, price is an issue. At $28,900 to start, the Murano will compete with some of the mid-level SUVs on the market. But it can win for several reasons: cargo, power, comfort and style.

The Murano isn’t a trip into unchartered territory for Nissan as much as it is a whole new step in a competitive direction.

Now it even has the name to match.

2003 Nissan Murano

Rating: 3.5

High gear: With fresh styling, lots of power and a modern interior that allows for tons of storage, the SUV race just got a lot better.

Low gear: Pricing can get a little expensive, ride quality can be a little firm, and the lack of a third-row seat drags it down against some of the competition.

Vehicle type: Front- or all-wheel drive, front-engine, four-door, five-passenger sport utility vehicle.

Key standard equipment: Continuously variable transmission; four-wheel independent suspension; rear spoiler; front and rear ventilated disc brakes; four-wheel ABS; emergency braking assist; front side-mounted air bags; front and rear head air bags; remothead lampseft alarm system; dusk sensing headlamps; front fog lights; eight-way power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support; rear heating ducts; remote power door locks; power windows, mirrors; cruise control; power steering; tilt-adjustable steering wheel; 12-volt power outlets; dual zone climate controls; AM/FM in-dash single CD player stereo.

Competition: Buick Rendezvous, Jeep Acura MDX, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty

Engine: 245 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6

Torque: 246 foot-lbs. @ 4,4000 rpm

Wheelbase: 11.2 inches

Length: 187.6 inches

MPG rating (city/highway): 20/25

Manufactured: Japan

Warranty: Basic warranty is three years/36,000 miles; powertrain warranty is five years/60,000 miles; rust perforation warranty is five years/unlimited miles; roadside warranty is three years/36,000 miles.

Base price (SL model, FWD): $28,199

Price as tested (SL model, FWD, includes options, destination and delivery charges): $35,783