By virtue of its size and shape, the Nissan Murano is quite a distinctive creature on the road.



A behemoth by Asian standards, one has to be blind – or drunk – not to notice it, breezing from one end of town to another.



The latest is a minor-change model, meaning Nissan has left the engine performance unaltered but racked up a few cosmetic changes on the SUV to keep up with the times.










We have written about it in 2007, 2009 and we are writing about it now as it continues to evolve.



Introduced in 2002, it was initially targeted at the Yanks, and has done well there. Since then, it has been exported from Japan to other parts of the world.



With 150 units sold since its local inception in April, the fully imported second-generation Murano is not doing too badly either, considering its price tag of RM322,000.



Nissan figures it has a winning formula in the Murano, so there’s little need to make drastic changes to the vehicle basics.



The years haven’t dented the Murano’s appeal. Even now, it remains eye-catching, like sculpted metal that presents a clear progression from the first generation vehicle.



Seen from all angles, the new Murano conveys a sense of strength, power and dominance, primarily due to both its size as well as the harmony of curves and lines.



So what has changed in the latest iteration?



For one, the SUV still sports a toothy grille albeit more refined and with a less in-your-face styling.



As is common with most facelifts, expect bumper and light changes.



The front bumper is new. The rear is enhanced with newly designed LED taillights together with integrated dual exhaust outlets. It now features what Nissan calls 5-Y spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

 

Interior upgrades include double stitching design leather seats, ‘Fine Vision Meter’ white-lit reading instruments, a redesigned centre console with improved rotary controls, a newly positioned central display that provides a greater visibility and a USB port.












Other than that, this continues to be the same vehicle we drove in 2009.



To recap, there’s still the rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate, rear view monitor with back up camera and a large, sliding glass moonroof – a feature that provides an open-air experience for Murano passengers.



The interior has a premium allure and generally feels well cohesive.



It is decked out with a dark underlying theme to convey a sporty, stylish stance.



The perforated leather seats up front are comfortable and electrically adjustable with memory settings. Ditto the comfort setting in second row with enough legroom and headroom for most people, though the 6+ footer might complain headroom is a tad tight.














There are individual climate controls for the driver and front passenger and rear side vents for those at the back.



Cargo space is decent out back and seats are foldable to offer more storage in a jiffy.

 

However, while the white plastic Star/Stop button looks nice when lit up at night with an orangey hue, it simply appears plasticky in the light of day.



The Murano features the familiar 3.5-litre V6 engine derived from the 350Z that produces a maximum power of 260PS at 6,000rpm with a maximum torque of 336Nm at 4,400rpm and is coupled with Xtronic CVT transmission with an intelligent all-wheel drive system.



Running around in the Murano shows the V6 to be able to surmount the considerable weight to deliver the healthy torque, which can get boisterous like its 350Z sibling when pushed to pick up the pace quickly.



The riding sensation is one of nimbleness, showing the specially tuned V6 engine to be a good match for the vehicle.



The steering feels responsive and the CVT stepped through the “6-speed” (virtual) gears by itself smoothly and rapidly.

 

The Murano delivers a comfortable ride although it still has some way to go in terms of handling and dynamics before it can measure up to the continental offerings.



Driven with some restraint, the 4X4 drive system and Vehicle Dynamic Control deliver smooth cornering and stable handling on slippery surfaces.



Another thing going for the Murano is its stellar ability to check noise and vibration. From inside the cabin, the engine is just a distant hush at high speeds, with the transmission showing none of the dreadful belting drone that plagues some other CVT gearboxes.



You could almost think you are driving a luxury sedan, save for the high riding position.



Safety is complemented by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and braking assist.



As it stands, the Murano’s styling flair, performance and luxurious cabin offer reassuring familiarity and presence.



The refreshing changes of late serve to make the SUV - which has a waiting period of two months if you book now - that little bit better.