Nissan Murano not automatic choice

Nissan has toyed with some bizarre exterior designs of late. Some worked out fabulously and some - like the new Juke and Murano - came out rather interestingly.

I am no stranger when it comes to loving vehicles which have been unanimously viewed as plain or unattractive.

As a case in point, I am besotted with the first Subaru Tribeca model. It's a rare scenario but, in some cases, ugly is actually beautiful.

But not so with the Murano, the company's effort at a luxo-SUV. Nevertheless, it can be attractive to buyers in other ways, as in being affordable, unfussy and cheaper to run.

Take for instance our featured BMW X5 of last week. That car is loaded with everything including feel-good tingles that German brands come with.

But you could be an individual who couldn't care less about that sort of thing, needing a high-riding SUV with good levels of specification at a reasonable price. If you fit this profile then this Nissan - along with a fair number of alternatives - is a good place to start.

From a luxury and safety fitment point, expect the following: a full trip computer, cruise control, integrated bluetooth comms, reversing camera for rear and left-hand side with accompanying beeps, keyless entry and go, bi-xenon headlamps, ABS, EBD and electronic traction control, an 11 speaker Bose sound system, an electrically assisted rear tailgate and much more.

In truth, most of the gadgets that are sold standard with Muranos are options in their glamorised rivals.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a finer bargain elsewhere. If you do, it is unlikely to have the well documented Nissan reputation for reliability and to a degree, cheaper running costs.

However, buying any SUV regardless of origin is to take a pinch somewhere.

Where this Nissan is concerned, it is in the mechanical department.

The Murano is powered exclusively by a petrol 3.5-litre V6.

If still in good shape, it should produce all of 191kW at 6000rpm and 336Nm at 4400rpm.

Lovely motor indeed and also used in Z-series and Navara applications.

But here it's tweaked to offer a velvety driving experience.

Luxury aspirations caused Nissan to foolishly opting for the CVT (continuously variable transmission) exclusively.

This particular item is the proverbial fly in the Murano's ointment. Based on this alone I recommend you look elsewhere.

CVTs are the most frustrating gearboxes, and truly fit better on electric car applications where infinite gearing is appropriate.

Your Murano will eat a whole lot more fuel - not perform in the way that its engine size and numbers suggest - and, worse still, you will have to pray the CVT does not go bonkers on you since these are not the world's cheapest transmissions to repair.

Expect to pay between R325000 for 2009 models and R470000 for 2011 models.