News Source: topspeed.com

Nissan has a lot riding on the success of the Murano. That’s not an easy position to be, seeing as the Murano is considered as the halo vehicle for the company’s range of crossovers and SUVs, but also has such a polarizing look. So it figures that Nissan is using the New York International Auto Show  as the event to introduce to the auto world the new 2015 Murano.

Far more than just a debut of the vehicle, the Murano’s attendance in New York will also serve as a showcase for the automaker to introduce its new design language, one that will be used on future production vehicles. Big stakes involved here for Nissan, if people haven’t already noticed.

As far as the 2015 Murano is concerned, the SUV’s new look isn’t the only thing that’s worth paying attention to. Far from it, actually. A spacious premium interior is also being offered, as are a host of new safety and connective technology features.

As we anticipated, this new generation for the Murano moves it away from its unconventional look of today and gives it a more mainstream look.

Updated 12/23/2015: Nissan announced prices for the 2016 Murano which is now on sale at dealers nationwide. The model continues unchanged from the 2015 model year and it will be offered in four trim levels – S, SV, SL and Platinum – and in a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The previous-generation Murano wasn’t exactly a beauty-contest winner, so the fact that Nissan put a more down-to-earth styling into the 2015 model is more than welcomed. The new SUV is obviously inspired by the Resonance concept  ], sporting similar V-Motion front grille and boomerang-shaped headlamps and taillights.

On the other hand, the apron is taller now and the hood slopes toward the grille at a smaller angle, making the vehicle bulkier than the concept. The same can be noticed around the back, where the diffuser-like section seen on the concept vehicle has been skipped, although the distinct, deep-sculpted lines are still in place.

Overall, the new design is not overly spectacular, but the 2015 Murano is a massive improvement over the model it replaces.

The improvements are more obvious in the cabin, where nearly everything from the dashboard, the steering wheel and the door panels has been redesigned. The instrument panel height is now lower, while a 8.0-inch color touch screen dominates the new, wider center console.

The control center below the infotainment display is much simpler in the new Murano after Nissan reduced the number of switches by 60 percent. Adding a touch of finesse to the cabin, wrap-around inserts spreading from the center of the dashboard to the door panels act as a buffer zone between the upper and the lower sections.

The 2015 Murano comes with company’s Zero Gravity seats as standard, with the rear seats featuring a three-cushion design, a first for Nissan. Also standard are Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control and push button ignition, while the options list includes leather seats, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, and remote engine start with Intelligent Climate Control. The new, available Power Panoramic Moonroof has a longer sliding length and a larger opening compared to the previous design.

The improvements are more obvious in the cabin, where nearly everything from the dashboard, the steering wheel and the door panels has been redesigned. The instrument panel height is now lower, while a 8.0-inch color touch screen dominates the new, wider center console.

The control center below the infotainment display is much simpler in the new Murano after Nissan reduced the number of switches by 60 percent. Adding a touch of finesse to the cabin, wrap-around inserts spreading from the center of the dashboard to the door panels act as a buffer zone between the upper and the lower sections.

The 2015 Murano comes with company’s Zero Gravity seats as standard, with the rear seats featuring a three-cushion design, a first for Nissan. Also standard are Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control and push button ignition, while the options list includes leather seats, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, and remote engine start with Intelligent Climate Control. The new, available Power Panoramic Moonroof has a longer sliding length and a larger opening compared to the previous design.

2016 Nissan Murano - Prices