2003 NISSAN Murano 3.5L V6 CVT (248 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Nissan was renowned for its SUVs and off-road vehicles, but it didn’t have a competitor for the midsize crossover segment; until 2002.

The Japanese automaker offered a wide range of 4×4 and SUVs on the market, and the brand was also famous for many sport-utility vehicles such as the Pathfinder or the Patrol. Yet, it didn’t have anything to compete in the midsize crossover segment, so it developed the Murano, which was based on the same platform as the Maxima. Thus, soon, the ovoid-shaped vehicle received the nickname “The Maxima of off-roaders.”

With an intriguing design that resembled mostly a UFO rather than a regular car, the Murano sported a front fascia with a grid-like grille and a pair of headlights that resembled those installed on the Z350 sports car. The profile revealed an athletic stance, with an upkick on the D-pillars. The rounded shapes and the raked-forward rear windscreen added more flavor to the car. However, with its overall bubble-design bodywork, it didn’t look that menacing on the road.

The interior took some inspiration from upscale models. Inside, there was room for up to five passengers. Yet, the middle seat on the rear bench was rather tiny for a grown-up. The Murano offered sat-nav, leather upholstery, and self-leveling HID lamps on the top trim level. The trunk could have been expanded thanks to the split-folding (60/40) rear benchs’ seatback.

Under the hood, Nissan offered the 2003 Murano with only one engine: a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a CVT. For specific trim levels, that allowed a manual shifting mode with fixed gear ratios or a four-speed automatic.