Other reviewers may say that the exterior of the new Murano offers a bit nicer look than it has in the past to match up with it’s revised interior. I’m still convinced that the Nissan SUV is giving me a goofy grin, trying to convince me to take it for a spin and enjoy it.

That goofy grin masks one of the few headaches that still remain on a platform that otherwise received an excellent update. The 3.5 litre V6 is a capable engine, else it wouldn’t be able to power the 350Z into many a motor journalist’s heart. Mate it with the continuously variable transmission, though, and the car slogs its way to 100 km/h in 8 seconds. The feat seems even longer than that.

It’s probably the most annoying part of the Murano, a package which otherwise has a lot of good things on offer. With all-wheel drive and a decent steering feel, taking turns isn’t an issue, and the comfort level on most qualities of road will leave nothing but smiles on the face of both the driver and the occupant.

This is the first year that Nissan has tried to distinguish the Murano from its X-Drive, and the Murano takes advantage of a move to a “luxury” feel. Electronics include the now-standard satellite navigation system, a Bose stereo and a brushed aluminum and plastic interior that makes you feel like you’re in your favorite club. Scratch that, the club you’ve been begging your friend to get you into.

Seating is nice as well, with space for four adults to ride around in good comfort, or two parents and three tykes in the back as needed. The leather seating is a bit slippery, but that can actually be a good thing if the roads get rough by keeping you from jolting too much over bumps.

Storage is a breeze once you get the electrically actuated hatch to open up. In fact, if you don’t need the rear seats you can fit a fair amount of gear on a surface that’s nearly flat, perfect for weekend projects with a friend if you’re mostly sedentary. On family trips the opening mechanism may impinge some on capacity, but not to a tremendous degree.

Given the size, you won’t have to worry about things going from comfortable to catastrophic if the unthinkable happened. The crumple zones designed into the Murano are good enough to keep most of the force of the impact away from occupants, and mated with the veritable cornucopia of available airbags, you can be sure that no matter what comes your way, you’ll be safe and serene, relatively speaking.

If you’re looking for an SUV that cruises, the Murano is a worthwhile bet at about $55,000. It’s certainly not the cheapest midsize SUV, but then Nissan is offering a different kind of feel for passengers. The engine should be kept in manual shift mode to keep it moving through the cogs properly, but it’s decent at worst. It goes back to the goofy grin I got when I first saw the exterior. The Murano is a bit like an addled Shepherd. It wants to be good to your family, and while it may have a few quibbles, you’re likely to want to take it out for the afternoon and maybe give the family a new addition.

Specifications:
Engine: 3498cc DOHC V6 cylinder (24-valve)
Power: 191kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 336Nm @ 4400rpm
Induction: Multipoint
Transmission: Continuously variable
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
0-100km/h: 8.0 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 259 grams per kilometre
Fuel Consumption: 10.9 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 82 litres
Fuel Type: 95RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: TBC
Airbags: Front, side & curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Full-size alloy
Suspension: Strut (F)/Multi-link (R)
Cargo Capacity: 402/838 litres
Tow Capacity: 1500kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Warranty: Three year/100,000km
Weight: TBC
Wheels: Alloy 18 x 7.5-inch