2015 Nissan Murano Preview: 2014 New York Auto Show

The 2015 Nissan Murano is the next-generation edition of the automaker's most popular crossover.  It's now also the best-looking, thanks to a dramatic re-sculpting of the Nissan Murano's sheet metal to create a sporty, muscular image that replaces the previous model's very average looks.  The move was a necessary one given the preponderance of attractive SUV and crossover options in the mid-size segment, and it's accompanied by an interior upgrade and a fresh slate of advanced safety gear.

New 2015 Nissan Murano: What’s New

We've already mentioned the startlingly fresh face of the 2015 Nissan Murano, which catapults it to the front of its class in terms of style and presence.  Also new is the availability of a suite of safety features, including a collision warning system with emergency braking capability, a cross traffic alert system that pairs with the Nissan Murano's blind spot monitoring system, and something the company is calling 'Moving Object Detection.'  Adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, a simpler set of control surfaces, a more generous rear seat, and a wider and longer cargo area are also in the cards for the 2015 Murano. Mechanically, the Nissan Murano hasn't changed much for 2015, as it still features a 3.5-liter V-6, a continuously-variable automatic transmission, and the option of all-wheel drive.  Fuel mileage should be roughly 20 percent better according to Nissan, however, thanks in no small part to a platform that checks in at 130 lbs lighter than the crossover it replaces.  Power and torque figures for the six-cylinder engine have yet to be released.

New 2015 Nissan Murano: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 Nissan Murano is a bold move, and it's one that follows a similar styling statement made by the compact Nissan Rogue.  The new Murano will no doubt attract a new demographic of shoppers into Nissan showrooms with its more extroverted personality, and if it can deliver an engaging driving experience to go along with its enhanced practicality, exceptional available safety features, and improved fuel mileage, there's no reason to think it couldn't climb the sales charts.