Car choice is often a reflection of lifestyle. Purchases may be based on the life stage a person is currently in. As a mom of two small children, you might not be surprised that I drive a sedan. But I can assure you that before I became a mother, I did not drive a sedan, and I hope that when my children grow up and leave the house, that I won’t still be driving a sedan.
So what would my dream car look like? I’ve often considered something small and sporty or something more powerful and luxurious. You might say that I’ve got one foot in a convertible and the other in a crossover. Can you imagine both vehicles, transformed into one?
Nissan astonished the country with it’s brand new, 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet. After taking it for a test drive through the beaches and mountains of San Diego, I can tell you that this is unlike any car you’ll ever drive.
So how did Nissan merge two seemingly opposite vehicles into one? The innovation behind the vehicle’s design was in part, inspired by consumers who appreciate the luxury and spaciousness of an SUV but desire the sporty, open-air experience of driving a convertible. The Murano CrossCabriolet targets a specific audience…a younger, active, female audience who work hard, value quality time with family and friends, and work to take care of themselves. For many owners, this would be the 2nd or even third vehicle.
The Murano CrossCabriolet is the world’s first all wheel drive crossover convertible. Knowing that a person will often sacrifice a rear seat (and therefore passenger capacity), cargo space, and performance for the experience of a convertible, Nissan undertook the challenge of ensuring these elements were not left out in the design of it’s latest vehicle. Much of it’s design comes directly from the Murano, including the body, which was transformed from a 4-door to a 2-door vehicle thereby retaining it’s overall higher profile. To retain the vehicle’s sporty look, Nissan incorporated a low-profile soft top which highlights it’s sleek silhouette. Other design elements that enhance it’s visual aesthetic appeal include the J-Motion waistline, the taillight design which is consistent with Nissan’s design icon, and the dynamic character line that runs through the body to the rear of the vehicle.
One of my first questions about the vehicle was how Nissan managed to retain comfortable passenger space while the top is stowed. The company opted for a 5 panel soft top made from lightweight materials (as opposed to a bulkier hard top) to store to the same size as a 2 seater convertible. I managed to sit in the back for part of our drive and found it to be comfortable. I had plenty of leg room, although I’m only 5 feet tall, and it was relatively painless climbing into and out of the back seat. The rear seat holds two adult passengers comfortably and was designed to be a four passenger vehicle (as opposed to a convertible that’s designed to seat two passengers).
Of course, the question then begs…what has Nissan done to ensure the safety of passengers in the event of a rollover? The Murano CrossCabriolet features Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System, which includes driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor, front seat active head restraints, and dual pop-up roll bars for passengers seated in the rear. One interesting thing I learned was that the vehicles have yet to be crash-tested. I’d like to see the results once they undergo testing.
Because the vehicle’s 3.5 liter 24 valve v6 engine was carried over from the Murano, it exceeded my expectations for performance. Acceleration is smooth and continuous and the vehicle handles curves and turns well. The engine is truly that of a crossover, so in many ways, the vehicle drives as such. In line with it’s engine, gas mileage is really just average at 17 MPG for city driving and 22 MPG for highway driving.
From inside to out, the Murano CrossCabriolet boasts luxury. The interior design is sleek and stylish with it’s wood grain interior and leather seats. And when it comes to technology, everything is within the driver’s reach including the Navigation System and the intuitive Bose Audio System that senses when the top is up or down. Speaking of the top, it opens and stows with the touch of a button in less than 30 seconds. Passengers are afforded a rear view skylight for views when the top is up. But I honestly wouldn’t keep the top up except in the instance of inclement weather.
Cargo space is yet another deterrent when it comes to purchasing a convertible. Wouldn’t it be fun to take a road trip in a convertible without having to worry about where to store luggage, coolers, etc.? The trunk of the Murano CrossCabriolet is large enough to store two carry on suitcases, although it should be noted that the space is reduced by approximately 5 cubic square feet when the top is down (stowed). When compared to a crossover, the space seems small. On the contrary, when compared to a convertible, the space exceeds expectations.
Nissan is currently accepting orders for it’s Murano CrossCabriolet. Unlike most vehicles, there is only one model, one package, and one price (unless you opt for the camel or cashmere interior which adds an additional $500 on to the price). The completely equipped Murano CrossCabriolet retails for $46,390 and is available in 6 exterior colors, 3 interior colors and 2 top colors.
A proper view of this vehicle maintains the perspective that, in essence, this is a crossover that has been transformed into a convertible. While there may be room for improvement with regards to cargo space and gas mileage, this is likely to be a second car as opposed to a primary vehicle in a family.
All photos can be viewed on Whrrl:
For more information about the Murano CrossCabriolet, just visit Nissan.
No compensation was received for this post. Nissan provided accommodations and meals during the media preview.
Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama. All rights reserved.
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