Nissan Murano Reviews

Ewan Kenned reviews the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Nissan Murano as a used buy.

Graham Smith reviews the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Nissan Murano as a used buy.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Nissan Murano Ti.

The Murano was a revelation in the SUV market when it first hit town back in 2004. It was a four-wheel drive wagon designed for people who preferred to look good driving around town than getting down and dirty.NEWThe new model launched in 2009 built on the same theme, but turned in a more luxurious direction. While it was an evolution of the first model, every panel on the new one was new, the grille and headlights were new, so too was the interior.It came in two versions, the ST starter car and the fully fruited Ti. The ST came with stability control, ABS brakes, with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assistance, six airbags, a full-sized spare wheel, air, cruise, power seats, six-speaker CD sound, MP3, and a trip computer.Had you stepped up to the Ti you would have also got sat-nav, reversing camera, power folding rear seats, power tailgate, driver's seat memory, keyless entry, premium Bose sound with 11 speakers, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails and fog lights.Weighing nearly 1800 kg and 4.8 metres long the Murano was large, a factor for anyone planning to use it in the city. It wasn't particularly quick off the mark and its size became evident when you had to park it.For all that it drove well, the wonderful 3.5-litre Nissan V6 always a joy to drive. In the Murano it boasted 191 kW and 336 Nm, enough to move it along at a steady clip while returning a claimed 10.9 L/100 km. There was just the one transmission on offer; that was a CVT, while the final drive was through all four wheels as needed.The CVT was rated an improvement over previous attempts at the quirky transmission, and there were six pre-set change points that made it feel more like a normal gearbox. A high driving position and good vision in all directions aided navigation around town, and with its light steering it was relatively easy to park.On the open road the Murano was benign rather than engaging, but it was comfortable and poised if lacking in agility and response.NOWGenerally the Murano is a solid and sound car that gives little trouble. The V6 engine is a jewel and widely acclaimed for its smoothness and performance, and mechanics say it's a reliable unit that rarely causes any concern providing it's serviced as recommended.The downside is the fuel consumption, which is high around town, where the weight really comes into play. Servicing is at 10,000 km intervals and missing, or delaying them is a recipe for an expensive disaster.While the engine is sound the CVT needs a thorough check to make sure all is well. CVTs have been around for a long time, but it's only relatively recently that they have been widely used. The reason is simple, it's taken many years of development to get them to a point they could be released to the general public.But even then they can give trouble, so they need to be carefully assessed before any cash changes hands. Drive the car in as many different situations as possible, at high speed, low speed, walking speed, taking off quickly, slowly, accelerating fast, accelerating steadily. All the time observe for any shuddering, jerkiness, reluctance to move, or any clunks or other noises that seem out of place.Nissan recommends the CVT oil be changed every 100,000 km and it's not to be missed. With the servicing so important it's vital that a check is made of the service record of any car under consideration for purchase. A few minutes spent checking the service record of a car could save thousands of dollars down the track.The Murano only has a braked towing rating of 1500 kg, so it's not a car to consider if you want to tow anything heavy, like a large caravan. The trade gives the Murano a big tick of approval, saying little goes wrong with them as long as they are serviced according to the recommended schedule.SMITHY SAYSIf you want a large, comfortable, stylish town wagon go no further.Nissan Murano 2009-2011Price new: $45,990 to $55,890Engine: 3.5-litre V6, 191 kW/336 NmTransmission: CVT, 4WDEconomy: 10.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door wagonVariants: ST, TiSafety: ESP, ABS, six airbagsCOMING UPDo you own a Toyota Tarago? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

Murano glass has earned a thousand years of fame for its leading design and clarity. And while the Nissan Murano - yes, named after the Venetian artware - is nowhere near as bright and sparkling, it can claim to have led others into the modern car-based crossover field a decade ago.DESIGNMurano was among the first to think outside the box shape of SUVs, so the design is an almost uninterrupted wedge from grille to rear window. Based on the same platform as the Maxima, the Murano looks more compact than its 4.8m length - but has a surprising amount of space between those sharply inclined front and rear screens.While tall torsos will feel the roof is close to their heads, there’s plenty of leg room front and rear. Cargo area allows a decent amount of luggage, and with the back row folded down there’s enough capacity for small furniture items from the weekend garage sale mystery tour.The leather-clad seats are comfortable and the fit-out clean and reasonably classy if you forgive the ungainly block of centre-stack and console for invading more personal cabin space than is really polite. TECHNOLOGYUnder the curved bonnet is a 3.5-litre V6 that puts out 191kw of power and 336Nm of torque, with a continuously-variable transmission delivering to all four wheels with constant all-wheel drive – generally front-biased but feeding more to the rear as needed.In general town and highway running it claims 10.9L/100km – and wants it to be premium 95RON fuel –although we ran just under 12L/100km in a mixed round. There’s also a 4WD lock mode for those few who will decide to go offroad, but with just 185mm of ground clearance you’ll come to grief at the first serious washout. But for fire trails and beach treks, it will be fine.It’s rated to tow 1500kg braked, so small boats, jetskis and the like will be fine. Trailering is a possibility, but if you’re planning to join the big caravan set, you really need to be looking at something with about a tonne more capacity to do it comfortably.SAFETYMurano has front, side and full-length curtain airbags, stability and traction controls, anti-brakes with brakeforce distribution to counter the weight of uneven loading and brake assist to give extra force for panic stops.It hasn't been crash rated by ANCAP but you could easily expect a four-star rating. It’s had a varied history in US tests, with the first generation getting five stars in all categories except rollover (four) and then the current generation faring worse and losing a star on the frontal crash test.VALUE The base ST Murano tested here is priced at $47,990 and well kitted with leather-clad heated and powered front seats, privacy glass, reversing camera, Bluetooth, audio system with hard disk drive and accessory integration, and enough touches of chrome to make you feel dressed-up without being vulgarly overblinged.But  that kind of money will get you into quite a few all-wheel drive rivals. There’s Korean-built Holden Captiva 7 at $42,490 with a 3.0-litre V6 and a reasonable equipment list. The red lion logo means it sells well, but it’s outstripped by others when it comes to performance, dynamics and refinement. Toyota’s trusty Kluger will give you dependability, comfort and solid quality at $44,490, but the 3.5 litre V6, 201kW/337Nm is undermined by the tired five-speed auto in pushing the hefty SUV, and the looks are on the bland side. If you want style and substance, there’s the Mazda CX-7 Luxury Sports at $45,990 with a great 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder. It loses to the Murano in space, but it makes up for it with sparkling performance - and looks just as good.DRIVINGMurano is a comfortable cruiser and city runner, and is reasonably easy to park once you get the hang of where that curved bonnet ends - the reversing camera helps, but a forwarding camera would be just as useful. The CVT is not bad for city running in full automatic mode, but unless you’re blessed with the patience of the Dalai Lama, hills or highway lane changes will have you slipping over to the manual mode pretty quickly.You’ll get smarter performance from the V6, but when you start pushing it you’ll also smart more at the bowser - it doesn’t take long for manual changes in a loaded Murano to bump the fuel consumption up into the high teens. Ride quality is decent over most surfaces and the handling is good for an SUV, sitting fairly flat through corners and approaching the behaviour standards you could expect from a normal car. But where the driving fun falters is in the steering, which feels over-helped and disconnected. That won’t be a deal-breaker for most buyers, and for cruising the café strip or clocking-up some long-distance highway stretches, the Murano will be a comfortable but thirsty choice.VERDICTThink of this as a high-set car with some soft-road skills and a bigger thirst, and you’re on the right track. As long as the track doesn’t lead into offroad territory.NISSAN MURANO STPrice: $47,990Warranty: Three-years/100,000kmResale: 65 per centService intervals: 10,000km/six monthsThirst: 10.9 litres/100km 95 RON, 259g/km CO2Crash rating: NASafety equipment: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and BAEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 191kW/336NmTransmission: continuously variable automatic, AWDBody: Five-door wagon, seats fiveDimensions: 4835mm (L), 1835mm (W), 1700mm (H), 2825mm (WB), 1610mm/1610mm tracks front/rearWeight: 1795kgTyre size: 18 x 7.5Spare tyre: full-size alloy

Murano glass is the stunningly beautiful creation of Venetian glass makers while the Nissan Murano is the stunning, somewhat over-styled creation of a Nissan "designer." You won't miss it on the street especially now with a new front, big alloys and other changes. It's been fully pimped complete with rear blacked-out privacy glass.Underneath, Murano is the same as it has been for a few years but that's all good. It is a five-seat, light duty off-road SUV with a focus on style and performance rather than on rock hopping and mud plugging. The Ti  model we drove tops the range at $58,390 against the boat-size Mazda CX9 and the Toyota Kluger white goods.ENGINEPlenty of power comes from the 3.5-litre petrol V6 which is good for 191kW/336Nm - a little down on the competition. It has variable valve timing and other technology to cut fuel use and bolster performance but direct injection is missing and though very good, the engine is long in the tooth. It consumes 95 octane at the combined rate of 10.9-litres/100km but we easily went under that on the freeway.There's plenty of performance readily available though we still have an issue with CVT transmissions and their slurring operation. A manual change mode is provided, no paddles. It's smooth running and makes minimal noise.TECHNOLOGYThere's a clever All-Mode four wheel drive system with lock up function if you must go semi-serious off roading (we wouldn't), 3D satnav, electric folding rear seats and a nine gigabyte hard disc drive for music as well as the usual Bluetooth phone but no audio streaming. Has RCA audio jacks _ what the?OFF-ROAD?Well, maybe sand, snow and ice and rough(ish) dirt roads fall within the realms of possibilities. It only has 185mm ground clearance and those sporty looking 18-inch wheels and tyres wouldn't offer much grip off the black top. But we successfully embarked on some beach driving and adjacent access roads with no problem whatsoever. Would you really want to take your Murano bush bashin' off-road? Not really. Towing ability is OK with a 1500kg limit with a braked trailer.SAFETYMurano hasn't been crash rated by ANCAP but it has six air bags, stability control and other safety kit that would put it up there.INSIDEBeing the Ti model gets this vehicle leather, Bose audio, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, power folding rear seats, auto dim rear view mirror, reverse camera, push button start, dual zone climate control and 3D satnav to name a few goodies.Inside Murano has a generic premium Japanese look but is functional and easy on the eye. The dash is stylish and in keeping with the lairy exterior look. There's a full size alloy spare in the back and the seats are comfy. Boot space is generous and is expandable to huge.DRIVINGIt's a comfortable vehicle in which to put away big kays. There's strong engine performance and it digs in pretty hard on corners - like a sporty Euro SUV. Some steering backlash is evident on rough corners taken at speed. The CVT transmission makes it sound naff alternately revving up and down with each application of the throttle but the manual mode is good to use. It's not too tall, sits fairly flat and offers a supple, controlled ride with decent braking power. Fits in the garage too.VERDICTWe were pleasantly surprised with the Murano Ti - the performance, luxury, practical nature of the beast. It's right on the luxury tax trigger but you get plenty of vehicle for the money - and those startling looks to grab all the attention you crave.NISSAN MURANO TiPrice: $58,390Warranty: 3-years/100,000kmm 24 hour roadside assistResale: 65 per centService intervals: 10,000km/six monthsSafety equipment: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and BAEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 191kW/336NmBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: 4835mm (L), 1835mm (W), 1730mm (H)Wheelbase: 2825mm, 1610mm/1610mm tracks front/rearWeight: 1832kgTransmission: Continuously variable automaticThirst: 10.9 litres/100km 95 RON, 259g/km CO2. 

Stylish SUVs have a drinking problem and the Nissan Murano is no exception. The latest facelift has made it arguably the most attractive critter in the mid-sized class and the V6 engine packs the punch of a cage fighter. But you pay for the privilege at the pump. Still, the looks and performance make it more a high-riding car than a soft-roader and it needs to be considered in that light.VALUEThe base ST Murano rolls out of the factory with an impressive level of gear to justify its $47,990 price. Powered and heated front seats, xenon headlights, dual-zone airconditioning, leather upholstery, a reversing camera and a Bose CD player are all appreciated creature comforts. The price puts it on the shopping list against Jeep's impressive new Grand Cherokee at $45,000 and the Toyota Kluger at $44,500.TECHNOLOGYThe direct-injection alloy V6 hauls the 1.8-tonne Murano with the same ease an unladen Sherpa goes at a g oat track. We're talking 191kW and 336Nm which translates into a 0-100km/h time of eight seconds flat. The downside to that level of excitement is an official fuel figure o 10.9 litres/100km - and 95 RON is the recommended fuel. The all-wheel drive system is front-biased but feeds power to the rear wheels as required and there's also a 4WD lock function for the 1 per cent of owners who will take this refined soft-roader off-road. Braked towing capacity is rated at 1500kg.STYLINGSUVs don't get any classier than this. The design is inspired - it looks far more compact than a 4.8-metre bus yet the angles don't compromise interior space. There's plenty of space for front and rear-seat passengers and it's quality room - the leather seats are sumptuous and make this a genuine long-range tourer. The cargo area is big enough to stow a family's luggage, or load up for a weekend getaway and the rear seats fold 60/40 for bigger loads.SAFETYThe Murano feels solid from the moment you open a door - or close the tailgate. Front, side and full-length curtain airbags are backed up with ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and all seatbelts are the preferred three-point variety. It hasn't been crash-tested yet but should be a five-star car.DRIVINGThis is one of the few continuously variable transmissions that I won't drone on about. Whether that's because of the high level of NVH suppression or whether it just makes sense with the V6 I don't know or care. What I do care about is how responsive the car is off the line or under mid-range acceleration and I can't complain. The steering is another matter. The Murano goes where it's pointed but doesn't give you much feedback on how that's happening. Not unusual for this class, but given the rest of the package is so car-like, it is an obvious fault. Handling is better than most SUVs unless you really charge into a corner and the ride is as comfortable as you can hope for at this price point.VERDICTBuy one if you want a high-rider that shouldn't see too much off-road action - and can afford the fuel bills. The ground clearance is better than anything this side of the Jeep but it still won't ease the pain if tree branches scratch your Murano off the beaten track. All it needs is a decent turbodiesel option, like the ones in the more rural focused Pathfinder and Patrol.NISSAN MURANO STPrice: $47,990Warranty: Three-years/100,000kmResale: 65 per centService intervals: 10,000km/six monthsSafety equipment: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and BAEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 191kW/336NmBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: 4835mm (L), 1835mm (W), 1700mm (H)Wheelbase: 2825mm, 1610mm/1610mm tracks front/rearWeight: 1795kgTransmission: Continuously variable automaticThirst: 10.9 litres/100km 95 RON, 259g/km CO2. 

Four-wheel drives look great bashing through the bush, but they're not so attractive cruising our city streets, as most do. When that reality struck home at car central the boffins hit on the idea of prettying up their box-like creations to make them more appealing to city slickers.Cars like the Nissan Murano were the result; cars with decent four-wheel drive systems that didn't look out of place in town.MODEL WATCHThe Murano comfortably slotted into the crossover scene alongside cars like the Toyota Kluger, Holden Adventra and Ford Territory, but took the concept to a higher level.It looked even less like a clunky four-wheel drive than any of its rivals, with a slinky, wraparound shape that clearly set it apart.Housed within the swept back sheetmetal was the same sweet 3.5-litre V6 that powered many Nissan models, most notably the 350Z sports car.In the Murano it boasted 172kW at 6000rpm and 318Nm at 3600rpm.The smooth revving V6 is a revelation after some of the clunky old nails that lurk under the bonnets of some of the Nissan's rivals. Backing up to the V6 was a CVT continuously variable belt-drive transmission that offered variable drive without the usual steps of a fixed ratio transmission, but at the same time it had a manual shift option that mimicked a six-speed for a more normal drive feel. Final drive was through all four wheels using a version of Nissan's intelligent All Mode 4x4 system as used on the Pathfinder.The system has two settings, Auto and Lock, the former a set and forget deal that operates as a front-wheel drive for most of the time, but when sensors find wheel slippage drive is sent to the rear axle as needed.In Lock the system is permanently locked in four-wheel drive mode to handle more demanding conditions.The ride is smooth courtesy of independent suspension all round, ABS controls disc brakes at each corner and the steering is power-assisted. Rear vision is limited by the curvy shape and drivers have to be cautious when changing lanes or reversing.IN THE SHOPCarsGuide has received no complaints about the Murano, which suggests owners are a contended lot.Nissan service agent Jerry Newman is so impressed by them that he drives one himself. He also services a number of Muranos and says they are very reliable and don't have any issues worth reporting. Regular servicing is crucial and it's important to check potential purchases for a service record before buying.IN A CRASHANCAP hasn't tested the Murano, but with a comprehensive array of safety gear, including ABS brakes EBD electronic brake distribution, BA emergency brake assistance, head, side and curtain airbags, plus electronic stability control it would be expected to achieve a high star rating if tested.AT THE PUMPThe official fuel consumption for the Murano was 12.3L/100km, which would seem a relatively accurate guide given that CarsGuide road tester was able to get 12.7L/100km in road test conditions. Nissan recommended PULP for the Murano, but have approved it for E10.RAY BOUGHT ONERay Williams is very happy with the ride, comfort and fuel consumption of his Murano Ti, but is concerned about an intermittent vibration at the bottom of the windscreen that the dealer has not been able to fix, and a weep from the transfer case which appears to be a common complaint."I am concerned the transfer case weep could become a major and expensive issue after the warranty runs out."NISSAN MURANO - 2005-2008Price when new: $51,990 to $60,490Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol; 172 kW/318 NmTransmission: CVT, all-wheel driveEconomy: 12.3 L/100 kmBody: 5-door wagonVariants: ST, Ti, Ti-LVERDICTGood looking, well equipped wagon with a great engine.COMING UPDo you own or have you owned a Mitsubishi Outlander? Share your experience with other Carsguide readers by sending comments via e-mail to grah.smith@bigpond.com or write to Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

For a company best known for its rugged Patrol, Nissan's "other" off-roaders have had a hard job stealing a second glance from buyers. Between them the Patrol and even mid-size X-Trail share the limelight, leaving the Dualis and Murano as second placegetters in the must-have stakes.But since the new Murano arrived just over 15 months ago, there are more on the road as families discover its attributes. Like the Dualis, it is gaining momentum among buyers. More than 3500 have been sold since it went on sale and Nissan Australia expects a solid result this year given the car has just received some new features.EQUIPMENTThe ST gets keyless entry and start, which was previously only available on the Ti. It also adds Bluetooth phone controls with steering wheel mounted switches. Like similar systems locking or unlocking the car is simply a matter of touching the door handle, and to start or stop the engine, simply push the start/stop button on the dash.The Ti now gets a large dual-panel electric sliding sunroof with a proper shade to block out harsh sunlight. The large, full-width front glass panel slides open or can be raise slightly to assist ventilation, while the rear panel is a fixed skylight, which allow plenty of light into the airy interior.Gone are the days when Nissan's interiors looked a little down-market. The Ti has soft-touch quality plastics, sensibly placed switchgear, double stitched leather and alloy highlights that impart a luxury feel.The standard kit on the Ti includes an 11-speaker Bose sound system, satellite navigation system, electric rear hatch and rear 60/40 split seatbacks that can be lowered electrically too.Other standard features include leather upholstery, an intuitive climate control system, six-spoke and 18-inch alloys. From the outside the new Murano appears to have a roof made mostly from darkened glass.BODY AND MECHANICALLittle else has changed for the Murano and the ‘sculpture in motion’ design still remains contemporary. Underneath the smooth sheetmetal is a powerful 191kW 3.5-litre V6 engine, which remains one of Nissan's best-ever engines from the VQ family.In addition to the silky V6 the Murano gets Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission which is now quicker and more intuitive. The Ti throws in electric tailgate, high-end sound system, electric raise rear seats and a reversing camera with predictive path technology. Like the X-Trail, the Murano uses Nissan's AllMode all-wheel drive system.A full suite of electronic safety systems, including electronic stability control and a rigid bodyshell earned the Murano a top safety pick award at launch from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States.DRIVINGWe kept having to recheck the fuel consumption in our Murano. After a week dicing with peak hour traffic and a cross-country burst on the freeway in the Ti the reset trip computer refused to budge off 8.5 litres/100km, no matter how unkindly the car was driven.For a big luxury off-roader, that's an impressive figure and says a lot about the combination of a CVT automatic and Nissan's superb V6 engine works. Even if the figure was a little optimistic - in our experience most trip computers are - the Murano stacks up as a reasonably economical family crossover wagon.Nissan's official fuel economy reading is a combined highway and city figure of 10.9 litres/100km so a sub-10 is likely at constant highway speeds. When we last tested it the average was 11.9 litres/100km so maybe gentle driving is the key to a frugal fuel economy figure.The V6 remains one of our favourite engines and is more than a match for the best Europeans. It's incredibly smooth and silent, yet when you call upon it to haul the car quickly, it responds easily and without drama.The CVT behaves almost like a conventional automatic but as there are no normal gearchanges – it just keeps the car on the boil. Enthusiastic drivers also get a six-speed manual mode. This gearbox is also good for economy because it allows the V6 to loaf along at highway speeds at modest revs. Where the CVT is caught out sometimes is at the traffic lights. It can hesitate ever-so-briefly but is no worse than some modern dual-clutch transmissions.For $57,890 the Ti presents a surprisingly good deal and is well equipped when lined up against its key rivals. Audi snobs will enjoy the high-end sound system. The rear parking camera is a useful addition but on an up-market model like the Ti front sensors should also be standard because it is hard to judge the protruding snout when parking.Inside the Ti is spacious and suitably well equipped for the price. The twin glass roofs add to the cabin's airy feel, particularly with the light tan leather interior. Both front and rear occupants enjoy plenty of legroom and headroom but the tapered rear end and full-size spare compromises luggage space a bit. It's a trade-off we're happy with, particularly given that full-size spares are a rare commodity among off-roaders these days. A full-size spare has become a selling point in itself.Some buyers might bypass the Murano because it only comes with five-seats, but Nissan has an answer to that with the new Dualis+2 seven-seater. However, its more direct competition like the seven-seater Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger and even the Ford Territory ace the Murano in the accommodation stakes. But the latest Ti adds some nice luxury touches to keep it in the game.THE BOTTOM LINE: Class-leading V6 and CVT make it a standout but some families might balk at the lack of seven seats.SCORE: 80/100NISSAN MURANO TiPrice: $57,890Engine: 3.5-litre V6Power: 195kW at 6000 revsTorque: 336Nm from 4400 revsTransmission: CVT automaticBody: Five-door wagonSeats: FiveDimensions: Length 4835mm, Width 1885mm, Height 1730mm, Wheelbase 2825mm, tracks front/rear 1610mm/1610mmSteering: Speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion power steeringSuspension: Independent front struts; multi-link rearFuel tank: 82 litresFuel type: Premium unleadedFuel consumption: 0.9l/100km combinedWeight: 1832kgSpare: Full-size alloyBrakes: Anti-skid all-round discsWheels: 18-inch alloysTyres: 235/65R R18Safety: Dual front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-skid brakes, brake assist, seatbelt pretensioners, anti-theft alarm, active front headrestsCO2 emissions: 261g/kmRIVALSJeep Grand Cherokee LaredoRating: Four starsPrice: $45,000Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrol, 210kW/347NmTransmission: Five-speed automaticBody: Five-door wagonThirst: 11 litres/100km 91 RON, 256g/km CO2A better dual-purpose package and there's a turbodiesel option. Land Rover Freelander 2 Rating: Three and a half starsPrice: $49,990Engine: 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol, 171kW/317NmTransmission: Six-speed automaticBody: Five-door wagonThirst: 10.7 litres/100km, 255g/km CO2Still the choice for off-road enthusiasts but doesn't have the looks.Toyota Kluger - 2003-2007Price new: $43,990 to $58,990Engine: 3.3-litre V6; 172 kW/328 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 12.3 L/100 kmBody: 5-door wagonVariants: CV, CVX, GrandeSafety: 4-star ANCAPThe safe-but-boring bet in terms of dynamics, space and resale.

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.