Alternative review of Nissan Murano

Why have one thing when you can have elements of two melded together? That's the question that Nissan's Murano posed to buyers of large 4x4s when it was launched in 2005. It was one of the very first so-called 'crossover 4x4s' in the luxury sector, this an industry term for SUVs with sleeker looks and more car-like driving manners. Sensational styling, plus the rorty 3.5-litre V6 engine from the company's 350Z coupe, gave it a character all of its own, though the lack of the diesel option you'd expect in this class of car put some buyers off. The second generation version I've recently tried still has much the same ingredients - though there is now a diesel option - but in a more refined, practical package featuring styling that's more of an acquired taste. Luxury SUV buyers who aren't badge-conscious and prioritise comfort with performance above all else are being targeted as potential buyers.

I'm not personally a fan of the MK2 model's restyled front end but the old Murano's curvy, almost coupe-like look is carried over in second generation guise. As before, it's a five-seat-only bodystyle without a hugely spacious boot, the capacity being 402 litres. Still, at least thanks to the rear electric seat system, you can have great fun extending it. If you've flattened the 60/40 split rear seats to access the total 838-litre cargo area by pulling the usual lever in the luggage area, you can impress your friends by automatically raising them again in just 8 seconds, via switch on the dashboard. If fact, gadget-lovers will feel more at home in this Nissan than in just about any car I can think of. There's a powered tailgate which opens and shuts in 7 and 9 seconds respectively, but the award for the most unusual feature goes to the kerb camera mounted within the passenger door mirror. At speeds up to 12 mph, it displays images of the ground around the front three-quarter area of the car on this 7 inch colour sat nav screen, showing the proximity of walls, kerbs and otherwise obscured obstacles. Gadgets of course, don't necessarily create an up-market feel but this Murano certainly feels nicer to sit in than its predecessor and there's enough buttons to keep you busy with the instruction manual for hours. An enormous dual panel glass sun roof is available in the standard model, but if you aren't bothered about that and instead would prefer a roof-mounted DVD player system, then that's available too.

Though this car is exceptionally refined - that's one of its main selling points - it's not so quiet that you can't enjoy listening to the wonderful V6 petrol motor that beats beneath the bonnet on the frequent occasions when the CVT Xtronic automatic gearbox kicks down. The 256PS 3.5-litre unit is now significantly quicker, making sixty from rest in 8.0s on the way to a top speed of 130mph - about as fast as you'd want to go in a luxury 4x4 of this kind. The 2.5-litre dCi diesel offers 190PS and promises greater flexibility. There's a satisfyingly sophisticated all-wheel drive set-up, Nissan's intelligent ALL-MODE 4x4-i system offering permanent 4WD that's usually sees power diverted to the front but which can push up to 50% of drive to the rear if conditions are slippery, at which point you'll be thankful for the standard ESP stability control. The speed sensitive power steering system offers more feel than it did in the old car, being now lighter at low speeds but with a more direct feel at higher ones. Nissan is keen to stress that driving dynamics have been enhanced with tweaks to the suspension and a much stiffer platform in this MK2 model that's more resistant to lateral and twisting forces. Despite all this and that sportscar engine however, don't run away with the idea that this is one of those BMW X5-like luxury 4x4s that you can throw about the lanes a bit. It's much more comfortable on the motorway and the ride quality only really comes into its own at high speeds.

The idea of merging a sportscar with a fashion-conscious luxury SUV is an undeniably appealing one, even if it is out of step with these gloomy, eco-conscious times. In pursuing it, Nissan's Murano continues to be a car that goes its own way, a breath of fresh air in a market whose products seem increasingly preoccupied in trying to be something they're not. If you're not badge-conscious or running costs-obsessed, like the styling and want a luxury 4x4 for high mileage road use, you'll love the charismatic engine, the performance and the clever gadgets. And you'll be one of a small but select number of probably very satisfied buyers.