2011 Nissan Murano

The 2011 Nissan Murano made me feel at home in it. I used to drive a 2006 Murano, and in the 2011, there were some changes, but I was also happy with what hadn't changed. There's not a whole lot to improve upon with the 2011 Murano because it fits families well.

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This five-passenger crossover is fun to drive, and it's comfortable enough to be in all day long — even with the kids.

The first thing I noticed about the Murano is its bold grille hasn't changed. Nissan has found its happy place as far as the grille is concerned. That's not to say that everyone will love the grille or the overall design for that matter, but that's what happens when something is unique.

On the road, the Murano is nimble and sportier than most crossovers, and the braking is responsive. It also offers a Sport Mode. While I'm not usually a fan of continuously variable automatic transmissions, the Murano's is flawless. The engine doesn't whine, and it doesn't seem like you're driving a "Jetsons" car; it's just smooth and quiet.

The Murano starts at $29,290 for the base S trim with front-wheel drive. My test car, a SV with all-wheel drive, cost $34,495.

EXTERIOR

The Murano's unique styling isn't for everyone, but it helps it to stand out on the road. From the side, it looks all curvy and aggressive, and the rear is well-done with sharp, angled taillights.

As a parent, the Murano is easy to work with. If you have kids in infant-safety seats, the doors are tall enough that you won't bonk your head when getting your child situated. If your kids are in convertible seats, the smaller ones will need a hand opening the door and getting in, but not as much as with a large SUV. If your kids are yet older but still in boosters, no worries; they'll be able to open and close the doors on their own.

The tailgate was easy to use mostly because my test car came with a power liftgate, which I didn't have in my 2006 Murano. If you think this feature is frivolous, let me challenge you with a grocery store parking lot in a snowstorm. Or a hail storm. Or a 2-year-old tantrum-storm. Trust me, this feature is worth it. Once the liftgate is open, there's plenty of room for strollers (even double ones), bags, groceries and lots of other things.

My test car had a 260-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. This engine does just fine in the power department, and with an EPA-estimated 18/23 mpg city/highway, you'll be glad it's not a whole lot bigger. Thankfully, the Murano uses regular gasoline.

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Excellent

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times

INTERIOR

The Murano's interior caters to families, with everything within reach and well-placed.

In the front row, the seats were comfortable and heated in my test car. The fabric upholstery looked somewhat velvety and posh, but if you've got babies and sippy cups or bottles, you may want to opt up for leather seating surfaces.

The 2011 Murano's instrument panel has a sophisticated-looking set of gauges. The chrome accents give it a traditional feel. There was thought in the design of the stereo and climate controls; brushed-metal-looking buttons and knobs are incorporated in a long bar, and they were sleek yet easy to identify and use. The look complemented the rest of the interior.