When the first Nissan Muranos rolled out the factory gates five years ago, they were one of only a handful of crossover vehicles available, and arguably the most dramatic.

As a funked-up alternative to the Toyota Highlander or downmarket substitute for the Lexus RX it was a resounding success. It still looks fresh and contemporary today, making the job for Nissan’s stylists that much harder regarding its replacement.

Well, now that the 2009 Murano is here, we can weigh in with a verdict: with a couple of minor exceptions, it improves on the first gen model in every area, continuing to offer those who aren’t badge-obsessed a terrific real-world five passenger all-weather travel pod.

Outside they knew to leave well enough alone; a bolder lighting arrangement and chamfered fender forms are the biggest departures. The Murano’s curvy rump is a bit less pert, perhaps, as Nissan (having gotten criticism for not having enough ‘family resemblance’ amongst their lineup) tried to make it stylistically similar to the smaller Rogue crossover.

The passengers are well looked after: supportive seats front and rear and ample width see to that. Quality is top drawer, with pleasing textures to the moldings, some intriguing new surface treatments, and lots of well-finished brightwork.

The dash top continues to be an interesting architectural piece that ‘undulates’ across its width, and all the switchgear has a positive, refined feel. But one of the things that made the earlier Murano such a hit with folk who work from their vehicles has been sacrificed for style. The center console is no longer a paragon of thoughtful storage cubbies; instead, it is a thrusting bit of fluff that challenges in daily use.

Thankfully Nissan has avoided the temptation to add a vestigial third row that would only serve the advertising department’s—not humans’—needs. Instead, they’ve opened up the short but usefully wide cargo area, and made the reclining back seat even more comfy, especially if the optional two-row panoramic moonroof is fitted.

All the brilliantly useful tech that Nissan has become known for—smart keys, excellent and intuitive nav systems, backup cameras—is still available, in new and improved form, along with new additions like hardrive based audio and real-time traffic updating.

The Murano’s dynamics have received a similar upgrading as well. It still is quiet and refined, and despite a more tied-down and athletic feel for the driver, the ride quality is significantly better and impact harshness much reduced. In this regard it has moved on quite a lot.

Thanks to a bit of twiddling with the venerable VQ-series V6, the Nissan has more torque for sprightlier acceleration. 0-60 times have dropped about one second, into the mid-sevens. The continuously variable transmission can claim some credit here as well.

It allows the engine to stay in its most efficient operating range, and it now rarely betrays its design with the ‘slipping clutch’ sensation of earlier offerings, and still—in theory, anyway—pays off at the pump. The first iteration routinely got over 20mpg in normal, mixed driving. Our tester’s engine was too new and tight to make a definitive judgment, but the trip computer never registered mileage out of the teens.

Leaving that aside, in almost every way Nissan has made the Murano an even better everyday bet than its predecessor, and has pushed the value equation by dropping the sticker price. Combined with the Murano’s reputation for reliability and resale value, it appears Nissan—and owners—have another winner on their hands.

Price Range: $28675-41,175

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