The original Nissan Murano, when it was introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, set new standards for style and sportiness in the expanding mid-size crossover sport-utility vehicle marketplace, becoming, in essence, a “class of one.” The all-new, second generation 2009 Murano elevates that unique position through a “super evolution” of the original design – with a new exterior and interior, enhanced technology and a new premium driving feel resulting from a new, advanced platform and continued refinement of Murano’s standard V6 engine and advanced, second-generation Xtronic CVT™.

The most striking visual element of the 2009 Murano is its new body, which imparts a “modern art” feel while still maintaining its distinctive “Murano-ness.” The front end features a bold grille and wide front headlights. Murano’s new hood sweeps into the bodyline, with powerful wheel arches and available 20-inch wheels providing an aggressive stance. The Murano’s redesigned rear end features a unique rear glass shape for maximum visibility, rear air deflector, large rear LED taillights and dual exhaust outlets with chrome finishers. The new Murano design also includes an available dual panel power sliding glass moonroof and 2 nd row skylight. Three new exterior colors are offered for 2009: Deep Sapphire, Tinted Bronze and Saharan Stone.

Inside, the 2009 Murano lives up to its “mobile suite” design theme with new levels of warmth and luxury. New front seats and a new steering wheel design provide increased passenger comfort, and warmth is provided by a new “Welcome Lighting” ambient lighting system, a new instrument panel design, available wood and aluminum accents and a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat with available power return. Other available features include a new foldaway cargo organizer, heated front and rear seats, power liftgate, rain-sensing front wipers and RearView Monitor.

All 2009 Muranos feature a VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V6 rated at 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque and an advanced Xtronic CVT™ with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) that provides a sporty and smooth driving experience. 2009 Muranos are available in front-wheel drive or with an advanced all-wheel drive system, and all Muranos come standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with a Traction Control System (TCS) for all-weather confidence.

The 2009 Murano features a new “D” platform, first introduced on the 2007 Altima, which provides a solid foundation and new, lighter suspension components with increased stiffness. New dual flow path shock absorbers provide sure footing on all surfaces, while a new twin-orifice speed-sensitive power steering system delivers the proper levels of assistance in around-town and high-speed driving.

Push button start is standard, along with iPod® connectivity (LE only). Available technology features include Intelligent Key, Bose® premium 11-speaker audio system, an advanced touch screen navigation system with 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, a new power-operated 9-inch roof-mounted screen (up from the previous generation’s 6.4-inch screen) for Murano’s DVD Mobile Entertainment System and Voice Recognition for audio, Bluetooth® and navigation system.

The all-new 2009 Nissan Murano is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in early January 2008.

Highlights of the 2009 Nissan Murano include:
Body

* All-new distinct exterior design guided by a emotional, curvaceous theme
* New, wide, character-like headlights with dynamic accents; available High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional projector headlights
* New large grille and fascia, standard fog lights on SL and LE models
* New rear fascia with large LED taillights
* New available dual panel power sliding glass moonroof and 2 nd row skylight (optional on SL and LE)
* New rain-sensing front wipers (optional on SL, standard on LE)
* New power liftgate (optional on SL, standard on LE)
* New 6-spoke 18-inch wheels (S, SL); 5-spoke 20-inch wheels (LE)
* Available new-design roof rack with cross bars
* Increased body torsional stiffness for enhanced handling and ride comfort
* Three new exterior colors: Deep Sapphire, Tinted Bronze and Saharan Stone

Engine and Driveline

* Revised VQ-series 24-valve, 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, tuned for Murano
* Twin Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), twin knock sensor, low exhaust pressure
* 10.3:1 compression ratio, 6,000 rpm redline
* New, second-generation Xtronic CVT™ with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) for sporty response and smoothness – utilizes an advanced, sport-tuned controller with adaptive logic for driving comfort or driving performance as conditions require
* Available in front-wheel drive or new, advanced all-wheel drive system that connects the VDC system, yaw sensors, wheel slip sensors and steering angle sensors to the AWD system to distribute torque as needed; adjusts to road conditions in 1/10 th of a second for enhanced all-weather performance
* Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
* All 2009 Murano models meet ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standards

Suspension, Steering and Braking

* New “D” platform, also utilized on the current generation Altima, designed to provide improved stiffness for reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), as well as outstanding handling responsiveness and ride comfort
* New, lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension featuring extensive use of aluminum components, reducing sprung mass; features cradle-type front subframe, advanced multi-link rear suspension with improved geometry, and front and rear stabilizer bars
* New dual flow path shock absorbers for responsiveness and reduced ride harshness
* New twin-orifice vehicle speed-sensitive power steering provides direct steering feel and confidence in all driving situations
* 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); G-sensor on all-wheel drive models
* New 18x7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/65R18 tires (S, SL)
* New 20x7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/55R20 tires (LE)

Interior Features

* New interior design, with “mobile suite” aesthetic; spacious cabin with fold-flat rear seats and wide cargo area, “Welcome Lighting” ambient lighting system
* Innovative instrument panel design, new steering wheel and aluminum trim throughout interior
* New ergonomic seat design
* Available leather-appointed interior surfaces with double-stitched seats
* New standard Push Button Ignition
* New available heated rear seats (standard on LE); heated front seats and outside mirrors (available on SL, standard on LE)
* New available foldaway cargo organizer (optional on SL, standard on LE)
* Available 7-inch color display for audio, climate control, fuel economy, maintenance and comfort and convenience systems
* Available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System (optional on SL, standard on LE)
* Available Hard-Drive based touch screen navigation system with user-friendly graphic interface, menu structure and intelligent search capabilities, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and XM® Nav Traffic (XM® subscription required, sold separately)
* Available DVD Mobile Entertainment System with a new 9-inch screen (increased from previous generation’s 6.4-inch screen)
* New telescopic steering wheel (manual on S and SL, power on LE)
* New 60/40 Fold-flat Rear Seatback with Power Return (standard on SL and LE)
* Available XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately)
* Standard AM/FM/CD6 with six speakers (up from four), AUX-in jack and MP3/WMA capability
* Available revised Bose® premium 11-speaker audio system with Radio Data System, AUX-in jack, MP3/WMA capability and speed-sensitive volume control
* Integrated iPod® connectivity (LE only)
* RearView Monitor (available on SL, standard on LE)
* Highly functional storage systems, including a two-tier lockable center console storage box with fold-out function, cell phone holder, dual seatback pockets
* Readability-enhancing Fine Vision gauges and driver instrumentation, plus illuminated steering wheel controls
* Auto door lock feature
* Two available interior colors – Cafe Latte and Charcoal

Safety

* Six standard air bags, including Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor
* Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
* Front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact/rollover supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard protection
* Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones
* Front seat Active Head Restraints
* Standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
* Standard driver and passenger seat belt warning lamps

Models and Manufacturing

* Offered in five well-equipped models: S 2WD, S AWD, SL 2WD, SL AWD, LE AWD
* Assembled in Kyushu, Japan

Just found this site searching for some more information about the Music Box limiations I have encountered. I bought the 2009 SL loaded with Nav and the compact flash card. I think I have found based on a post on this forum that I have an upper limit to the number files that the music box can address and I have no good way of getting over 2500 tracks into the system as the upper limit seems to be 512 tracks. Is this true? Bummer if so as I bought a 32 GB card. Any work arounds... like a service upgrade or a hack? Seems my only alternative is to load 15 of my favorite CDs and wait for each one to make it into the hard drive or, buy an 8 GB Ipod. Is this also true?

Thanks,

Jerry Loscalzo
Charlotte, NC
09 Murano SL w/ 2WD& NAV

Only way to get 2500 tracks is to use the Music Box ripping standard CD's one track at a time or bring an external mp3 player. The Music Box seems unnecessarily limited to me. It should be possible to copy mp3's direct from an mp3 CD or the CF card. It would even be nice if it could "buffer" sat radio for us. That would simplify things so much. I don't know how that one got past design and user testing. It wouldn't be as bad if the SL had the iPod interface option. It wasn't worth the price to upgrade to the LE for me.

Also I have an SL and I have an Ipod connection? ... I just never used it.. maybe I am mistaken.

So I have choosen to take all my CDs and feed them into the music box. I am going on a road trip to the beach next week and will take that opportunity to load/ rip every CD I own until it is full. CDs that are damaged - I will use the version I have on the CF card. So much for all that capacity... I will just keep my ears open for a new solution.

BTW on a side note: I am loving the Murano! Even the German cars I own / have owned don't have comfortable elbow rests! Definitly a symtom of a well thought out design.

Do you have the fully digital iPod connection inside the armrest? The one that uses USB and the iPod's digital port at the bottom? Or the RCA jacks at the back of the center armrest/console that plug into the headphone jack? If you have the digital one I want to know how you pulled that one off. I had to stop using my iPod in the Murano. It's nice to have my entire music catalog with me but I have the "classic" iPod and there's no way to change tracks while driving. It's too dangerous to try and read the screen and I have too many playlists and too much music to feel it out by hand.

I think the CF card limitation is a missed opportunity that will hopefully be corrected. I don't think Nissan realizes how powerful the CF card option could be. I would have definitely bought a 32GB card (which would fit my entire library) if it worked in my vehicle. I wouldn't need a music box or even an aux input if I had that choice.

As for the digital ipod connection... I was wrong... just the power connection in the arm rest. I was looking at the limited and after I ruled out the 4WD (I live in NC) I configured the SL with what I thought was the same configuration. Sounds like the iPod connection was one of the causalities of that switch. My wife has the mini and a nano but doesn't really use either, thus your news was news to us.

As for your point about how powerful the CF feature is... I am also crossing my fingers... It would have saved me 6 - 10 minutes a CD. Since I last posted, I have loaded over 24 CDs into the Music Box and I have tons of room left. I suspect what turned out to 12 GBs of music on my PC will be less on the Music Box based on these first 24. I set the quality to be 132 kbps and the quality is good enough. I may have used a higher setting on itunes. I will use my 512 songs on my 32 GB CARD!!! (I am not bitter) for the songs bought online, the CDs that can't be read by the DVD player in the Murano and maybe mixes that will bypass the annoying searching capabilities of the Music Box.

We tried to set it to list "by artist" expecting to see an artists name we can select and either play all of that artist's music or play an album. No luck. We have to scroll album by album from from to back. Now we set it to randomly choose a song across all the albums and just skip to the next song if we don't want to hear it. In addition, it is strange what the screen shows when it chooses a song, and if you want to go back to last song it randomly choose, it can't. Am I spoiled? Who ever heard of a hard drive based music system in your car of all things. Now I have one and I am annoyed it is not as competent as others. Oh well.

Admittedly, I haven't used the music box to load even one CD but that behavior seems odd to me. How can you know where to go if you don't know where you've been? I would probably expect it to be able to go back too. Probably comes from listening and organizing music so much on the PC. Most software doesn't really have a random, it has a shuffle option which usually allows for the viewing of the order of the playlist so it's possible to skip tracks and go back at will. So basically you're telling me that if I use random and I liked the song I just heard, I either have to use skip like a madman until the song comes up again (not feasible at all) or disable random and find the song myself? Oh well is not a strong enough statement if this is the case.

It's interesting how all these quirks are things almost never discovered during test drives. The features are too complicated to get a full understanding until there's some time to research and/or play around with them.

Lets face it, I was buying the alternative to a minivan and since I would end up driving it a lot I got the crossover with some toys in it. I suppose the toys are a bonus and if they worked then well... bonus!

2009 LE AWD Silver (pimping 20" chrome aftermarket wheels)