Nissan Murano 2.5 D (2010) new CAR review

Nissan's Murano lives in a bit of a time warp; it's only just got its first diesel engine. Yep, you read that right. This full-ish sized premium SUV has been operating in just 0.6% of the derv-crazy crossover segment with a spanking great big 3.5-litre petrol-slurper.

Now the new 2.5-litre diesel has arrived, it's suddenly opened up 86% of the segment, which is dominated by diesel automatics.

Right. I see why the Murano is such a niche seller...

Indeed. Nissan shifted just 250 last year in the UK, but that cultish petrol model continues alongside this new diesel.

Those low sales volumes are a shame, really. The 3.5 V6 petrol Murano was always a pleasant thing, a curio straight out of the American crossover scene with a relaxed gait and a sky-high specification. Roomy too. It always cut a dash – the sort of car you'd notice if it passed you in the street.

But what the hell have they done to the looks!

Yes, yes. We know. They've utterly spoiled what was a crisp, clean design. I remember the last time I was in Tokyo in 2007 being given a sneak preview of the new Murano – and all the visitors in the design studio were gobsmacked by the heavyhandedness of the refresh. My notes from the first drive read: 'Like an explosion in a chrome factory.'

The front end of the Murano has been ruined by a Clapham Junction of chrome tracks, criss-crossing the Murano's grille. Twenty-inch rims are now standard too.

That kicked-up window line and those cartoonish wheelarches give the car some real character. This is the big daddy of Nissan's burgeoning crossover line and this car's design is mostly slick, with none of the bravura of the Juke but with some fussiness letting the side down.

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