ford edge, honda passport, hyundai santa fe
looks like: a slightly more aggressive tweaking of the 2018 model
drivetrain: 260-horsepower, 3.5-liter v-6; continuously variable automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
hits dealerships: december 2018
nissan has given its 2019 murano mid-size suv a light once-over as it takes on such stiffened 2019 competition as a freshened ford edge, redesigned hyundai santa fe and all-new honda passport.
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the refreshed 2019 murano, which will be unveiled this week at the 2018 los angeles auto show and go on sale in december, will continue to be offered in the base s, sv, sl and fully loaded platinum trim levels, and with front- or all-wheel drive. just two options packages are offered: an sv premium package adds a panoramic moonroof, a 360-degree camera system and bose premium audio. the sl technology package, meanwhile, adds a moonroof and advanced safety and driver assistance technology.
exterior
the murano's look has been tweaked with a little more drama in the nissan "v-motion" grille as well as in the redesigned led headlights, taillights and foglights. there also are new 18- and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs and three new exotically named paint colors: sunset drift chromaflair, mocha almond pearl and deep blue pearl.
interior
the cabin has been lightly freshened, with the most dramatic change being new and fancier interior trim for the top platinum that includes semi-aniline leather seating with diamond-quilted inserts, as well as contrasting piping on the seats, door armrests and center console bin lid. there are new interior trim finishes available, too, depending on model.
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a multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen and apple carplay and android auto support is standard on all muranos. the midrange sl trim level and above include standard in-car navigation, which has been upgraded for 2019 to include door-to-door guidance with 3-d building graphics and satellite images, an online point-of-interest search and traffic data.
under the hood
the murano's powertrain carries over for 2019. all models have a 260-horsepower, 3.5-liter v-6 mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. the murano is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
safety and driver assistance
a front collision system with automatic braking again has been standard on all muranos. also standard for 2019 is a new rear door alert for you to check the backseat before leaving the vehicle parked, as well as a driver alertness warning, second-row side airbags and a front passenger knee airbag.
new for 2019 as an option on the sl trim level and standard on the platinum is the bundle of advanced safety and driver assistance tech that nissan has branded safety shield 360. it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and rear automatic braking. nissan has been extending this bundle across its lineup and will also offer it for 2019 on the altima, rogue, rogue sport and maxima.
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