To make the driver’s task easier, there are automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers as well as an auto dimming rear-view mirror. At night front fog lights and Xenon headlamps do their best to turn night into day.

The safety score-card includes Vehicle Dynamic Control (stability control) and Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, six airbags, active head restraints and pre-tensioning seatbelts.

Motivation is provided by Nissan’s seriously competent 3.5 litre V6 which churns out 191kW of power at 6000 rpm and 336Nm of torque at 4400 rpm.

Drive is channelled to an on-demand all-wheel-drive system via a CVT transmission.

Drive

Once aboard and comfortable, a quick stab of the starter button sends the speedo and tacho needles sweeping across their dials, then… nothing.

Well, not quite nothing, but the smooth idle and noise isolation are enough to cause a second glance at the tacho to make sure the engine has actually fired into life.

In day-to-day commuting, the story stays much the same. The CVT works to keep revs low, whilst noise and vibration barely intrude the passenger compartment.

When given a shove the engine reveals a hint of growl, but such is the serene nature of the Murano that to enjoy it at its best (well, quietest), there’s little point pushing it past 3500rpm.

Around town the suspension can be a little terse when crossing expansion joints, scarred tarmac and train lines. Larger imperfections and potholes however, are soaked up with aplomb.

Braking performance is well up to the task although the initial few degrees of pedal travel can be a little notchy, ending up in a stronger brake application than necessary at times.

The speed sensitive steering is well-weighted, both around town and on the highway, ‘weighting up’ nicely as speed increases without feeling over-assisted at any point. Feedback through the wheel is a little numb though, but perhaps to be expected in a high-riding car with deep-walled tyres.

Thanks to the thick rear pillars, odd-shaped tailgate and intrusions from the roof-mounted centre seatbelt and door-closer, rear vision is nothing short of appalling.

Large rear-view mirrors help, but lane changes are always a risky business with such an impeded over-shoulder view.

Away from the urban environment, onto secondary roads and beyond, the Murano still maintains its polish - even on gravel and sand.

Venturing any further off-road would be ill-advised however.

Despite its composure on loose surfaces, the all-wheel-drive system hesitates momentarily while trying to serve torque to the axles that need it most and the unprotected undercarriage is fairly low to the ground, impeding clearance and inviting damage.

Fuel economy was a very pleasant surprise. On test the Murano returned 12.8l/100km in town, beating out the official factory figure of 14.9l/100km by a very healthy margin.

Results for the highway weren’t quite so good as claimed by Nissan. However strong wind buffeting probably didn’t help with the 9.3l/100km figure we achieved – commendable, but not quite matching Nissan’s claimed 8.6l/100km.

Verdict

The features, equipment and refinement of the Murano are good enough to rattle some luxury marques. For sheer passenger comfort, driveline refinement and general on-road performance, it demands a very close look.

Living with it may be a different issue, depending on your situation. Visibility issues are hard to ignore, but decent fuel economy for its class and almost zen-like interior presentation help claw back some points.

If your preference is for serene motoring with a minimum of histrionics, and you value your creature-comforts, then Nissan’s Murano, with its high-tech features and outstanding levels of refinement, is one to consider.

Likes:

• Ridiculously quiet and smooth engine
• Surprisingly good fuel economy around town
• Interior comfort and quality
• Well-featured equipment list

Dislikes:

• Poor rear visibility
• Harsh ride over small imperfections
• Slightly undersized cargo space