Nissan‘s Murano SUV has gained a little fleet appeal with the insertion of a diesel alternative for the first time.
Rather than just the 256hp 3.5-litre petrol engine, interested parties can now opt for the 190hp 2.5-litre diesel that offers 210g/km emissions and 35.3mpg official combined figures. While those stats aren’t great in isolation, they’re not too far off the pace compared with large off-roaders, and are certainly favourable compared with the petrol engine’s 261g/km and 25.9mpg. Unfortunately, the lower-powered diesel costs £400 more than the petrol version at £37,190, but the cost per mile figure is 93.8p against the petrol’s 102.9p.
The diesel has arrived with a mid-life facelift for the Nissan, which gives it a stylish makeover, if slightly too Americanised with the front end’s big chrome grille.
Despite not being the last word in refinement, the diesel offers decent pace for what’s not a small vehicle, and the automatic gearbox is mated nicely to the engine.
The interior is certainly far more plush than can be expected from the mainstream Nissan brand, and standard equipment is spectacular, including touch-screen satnav, rear and kerbside parking cameras, privacy glass, leather interior and a powered tailgate all among the reams of kit. That powered tailgate can be less beneficial than it sounds though, as it takes an age to open or close, and beeps a warning, which isn’t great when you’re standing in the early morning rain trying to stash bags in the boot before making a quiet getaway.
That aside, the good-looking and brilliantly well-equipped Murano is now at least worth a look with the new diesel, even if it looks a little overpriced in a market containing some serious metal at that £37,000 level.
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