Review of the new Nissan Murano 2.5 dCI

What would happen if you combined the soul of a sportscar with an avant garde luxury 4x4? Nissan's Murano is the result and it isn't a car lacking in road presence, character or equipment, all of which it will need in an increasingly competitive 4x4 market. The other almost mandatory requirement in this sector is diesel power, now supplied in the form of a 2.5-litre 190PS unit to sit alongside the existing 3.5-litre petrol V6.

This is the second generation Murano and, like its predecessor, aims to offer luxury SUV buyers on a realistic budget sleeker looks and more car-like driving manners. The MK2 version has proved to be a more refined, practical package but also features styling that's more of an acquired taste. As before, luxury SUV buyers who aren't badge-conscious and prioritise comfort with performance above all else are being targeted as potential buyers.

We had expected Nissan to plumb in the 230PS 3.0 V6 diesel lately introduced into its Navara pick-up into this car. Instead, what we've got is an uprated version of its more familiar 190PS 2.5-litre four cylinder unit mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is equipped with a diesel particle filter (DPF), helping the car to achieve EURO5 emission standards.

As with the petrol model, 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 MK1 model, 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 over the first generation Murano, 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 won't be.

"The idea of merging a sportscar with a fashion-conscious luxury SUV is an undeniably appealing one."

Nissan's designers have taken the opportunity to combine the need for cooling airflow to the diesel engine and radiators with a styling makeover for the Murano's front-end. A revised grille and bumper design reinforce striking looks. 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 we 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 a 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.

You'll pay around £38,000 for this car, a similar amount to that you'd have to find for arguably its closest rival, Lexus' hybrid RX series. Other rivals include Volkswagen's Touareg and Jeep's Grand Cherokee: these are both better off road but not quite as luxury saloon-like. The Murano sits in the lowest tier of large sector luxury 4x4 ownership. These days you need a lottery win for Range Rover or top Porsche Cayenne ownership and a considerable sum just for something like a BMW X5 or a Mercedes M-Class. Cars like the Murano and its most obvious rivals however, can be yours for similar money to that being asked for plush versions of smaller compact 4x4s - cars like Audi's Q5 or BMW's X3.

Expect the diesel to deliver you over 35mpg on a regular basis with 210g/km of CO2. As for residuals, well, the Murano is estimated to retain just over 50% of its value after a typical three-year ownership period which is promising compared to other 4x4s in the same price bracket. Plus insurance at group 16 isn't too bad considering the power and equipment levels it offers.

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, like the styling and the clever gadgets and want a luxury 4x4 for high mileage road use, then the availability of this car in diesel form ought to bring it into contention for your cheque if you're shopping in this sector of the market. Choose one and you'll be one of a small but select number of probably very satisfied buyers.