The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is a large car that succeeds at being a comfortable convertible despite being hampered by uncertain handling, a small trunk and portly road manners.
Nissan does the car no favors by marketing it as a convertible crossover with all-wheel drive. Yes, it has standard all-wheel drive, and I know the car is based on Nissan's Murano midsize crossover, so one would expect Nissan to use that name in its marketing.
But the choice sets shoppers up for disappointment, as the term "crossover" usually describes SUV-style vehicles with four doors, two or three rows of seats and a generous cargo area. The Murano CrossCabriolet isn't that type of vehicle — but that doesn't make it a failure.
Making a CrossCabriolet
Nissan says the Murano CrossCabriolet offers the same features and options as the top-level hardtop Murano LE.
That means the Murano CrossCabriolet has standard 20-inch wheels, a backup camera, a navigation system, heated seats and steering wheel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, and simulated wood trim. Opting for the Murano CrossCabriolet means you're vaulting to the top of both the option and price trees.
Top-Down Attributes
The Murano CrossCabriolet has a power soft-top that folds into the rear trunk area. It's a good-looking car; were it not for the tall ride height, it would almost look sporty, especially in profile.
Two things immediately stand out. First, because the Murano CrossCabriolet rides so high, it's easy to get in the front seat. (And it's not so high that shorter people should have an issue.) Considering most convertibles on the market today are lower-slung cars, that's a refreshing change.
The second thing is that I kept feeling like I was on display. It's hard to explain — and maybe it was because I was riding high enough to look pedestrians in the eye as I drove by — but I felt very much on top of things and more out in the open than I have in other convertibles. Also, whenever I went into a garage with the top down, I felt like I was going to bump my head on the ceiling, even though I was sufficiently low enough to prevent that from happening. None of that is to knock the CrossCabriolet, but it is unique.
Out on the highway, the Murano CrossCabriolet is a fairly pleasant car to drive. One good thing is that there's very little buffeting in the cabin with the top down at highway speeds. I didn't feel as beaten up as I have in other convertibles.
Overall visibility is fine for driving, though a fairly high trunk lid compromises the rear view. I did feel I could still judge distances for passing and merging, though. It helps that Nissan gives you large mirrors instead of the small or oddly shaped ones more automakers seem to be favoring.
The Murano CrossCabriolet's biggest fault is that its body rigidity is more like a convertible's than a crossover's. When a car loses its roof, it also loses rigidity. That leads to body shake and, especially in the case of the Murano CrossCabriolet, a sense that the car is "jiggling" over uneven pavement. It's the kind of thing convertible owners might expect, but if you're moving from a crossover or SUV, it will be a bit of a surprise. The CrossCabriolet just didn't feel sure-footed.
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