Explorer, Murano both have pluses

By Gary Anderson, Special to the Town Crier

Sport-utility vehicles now dominate most parking lots, so it’s not surprising that manufacturers have started to create new car models to segment this market. The newest trend is the “crossover” vehicle.

Last week we had the opportunity to drive the new Nissan Murano, a good example of this product and a vehicle that Nissan calls “the urban SUV.” To provide contrast, we considered our experience with the new 2003 Ford Explorer that now occupies a space in our own garage.

Just looking at the two pictures says a lot about this market segmentation. The new Murano is sleek and stylish, while still presenting a confident “don’t mess with me” air. The Ford looks like, well, a sport-utility vehicle, with its own air of “I was designed for work.”

When we parked both of the vehicles in front of a restaurant on Main Street in the evening, the Explorer didn’t get a second glance. On the other hand, the Murano drew a small crowd of interested admirers.

Beneath the skin, the contrast is even more interesting. The Murano we drove had the optional leather trim package, which adds $1,299 to the base price but gives the interior a look of comfort and luxury.

Complementing the leather was the $1,499 premium package, which provided a top-quality Bose sound system with six-disc in-dash CD changer, as well as adjustable pedals, roof rails, and a cargo cover and net. The Murano seems perfect for taking two couples to dinner at the nicest place in town.

The cabin and cargo space are also exceptional. You’ll find more rear legroom than in most luxury sedans, and a weekend antique-shopping trip could be handled easily with the flat floor and nicely-padded cargo area.

You get the same space, and can select the same interior upgrades in the Ford Explorer by opting for the Eddie Bauer or Limited packages at about the same premium as on the Murano. However, in the Ford you’ll feel more at home in a flannel shirt or ski jacket than a designer shirt or dinner jacket.

Mechanically, these two SUVs offer much the same performance. With the V-6, the only engine available on the Murano, you get 245 horsepower, and 246 pound-feet of torque. That’s more than enough power to move the car at highway speeds and provide snappy acceleration, but not enough to pull a boat or, in our case, a car trailer. All-wheel drive is standard, and a good stability control package is available for a no-brainer price of $750.

The Explorer is available with either a V-6 or V-8 engine. At 210 or 230 horsepower, it’s slightly slower at top speed than the Murano, but the V-6 offers 254 pound-feet of torque and the V-8 a competent 282 pound-feet of torque, among the best in its class. With the optional trailer-towing package, the V-6 can pull 5,400 pounds, and the V-8 7160 pounds. That’s adequate for an enclosed car trailer or horse-box.

Even better, depending on your needs, you can opt for all-wheel drive, which in combination with the stability package available on the V8, makes the car confidence-inspiring in slippery pavement conditions. If you do expect to be hauling snow-mobiles to your mountain cabin, four-wheel drive with low-gearing is available.

Transferring power to the wheels is where the Murano really stands out, with its new-technology continuously-variable automatic transmission. There are no bumps or hesitations as it gathers speed.

The Murano’s ability to get from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds is just about the best in its class. Combining good horsepower, reasonable torque and a shiftless transmission, the car is confidence-inspiring in traffic or on the highway.

However, for handling and ride quality, Ford seems to have a better idea. Ford’s been at this SUV business longer than almost anyone, and their technical advances have been made in the suspension. The Explorer is one of the few SUVs with independent rear suspension.

We noted a significant improvement from the previous generation of Explorers, and we like the Ford’s steering, handling, and ride comfort better than any of the other midpriced SUVs we’ve driven. The turning radius is excellent as well, important when you’ve got to maneuver on narrow roads or make a U-turn in traffic.

We weren’t quite as happy with the Murano. Bumps seemed to get transmitted into the cab with little cushioning. The steering also seemed heavy. While it kept the steering wheel on-center, we felt as if we had to arm-wrestle the car into corners. However, this is relative; the ride and steering are pretty comparable with most SUVs.

With any comparison, there needs to be a bottom line. Both vehicles are priced at almost exactly the same level. The Murano we drove, including all the luxury and handling touches plus a $1,300 navigation system, was stickered at $36,963. A comparable Ford Explorer Limited edition, with all-wheel drive and V-8 engine, but without navigation, is priced at $36,200.

In our view, if you want the luxury and styling of a very trendy sedan, combined with the height and space of an SUV, you may find the Murano fits perfectly. And you can count on some admiring glances when the valet wheels yours up to the door.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a trailer to tow and your SUV is actually going to spend some time on dirt roads or challenging terrain, then the Ford Explorer is still your ticket. As a bonus, you’ll get an SUV that is very easy to drive under normal conditions.

Anderson is editor of Classic Motorsports magazine, which is

published bimonthly and distributed internationally from offices in Los Altos (949-9680; www.autosport.com).