Wellness trends are everywhere now – from office quiet zones to apps designed to fix your posture. So, we were skeptical when Nissan called the all-new Murano a ‘road-going sanctuary.’ But then we tried it for a week—in top-tier Platinum trim no less—and we changed our thinking. Enter the self-care SUV, a machine that strives to make the most of “lost” hours spent behind the wheel.
The Commute: Monday, 7:45 am
Phone, keys, wallet. Double espresso in a travel mug. Laptop and tote in tow. It’s a brisk spring morning as we slip into the new Murano for our drive to the office.
The panoramic moonroof bathes the cabin in natural light—instant mood enhancer—while the heated windshield dissolves frost as we enjoy the heated seat and steering wheel. The new massaging function for the front seats begins working tension from our shoulders. Close your eyes for a moment, and you could almost forget you’re not at your favorite wellness spa.
The ambient lighting system creates a warm glow, with customizable tones to match your mood—perfect for a serene start to the day.
Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats support your posture and reduce fatigue, making even the longest drives feel easier. They’re designed to ergonomically support your body’s natural posture and reduce fatigue. Pair that with the flat-bottom steering wheel—which creates more space for an elegant ingress and egress—and the thoughtfully redesigned driver position, and even rush hour feels manageable. The huge range of adjustment in the seat, another upgrade for the Murano, makes finding a comfortable position easy for drivers of all shapes and sizes.
The Getaway: Friday Evening Escape
After a demanding week, we loaded up the Murano for an impromptu weekend retreat with friends. The trunk opens with a simple foot swipe beneath the bumper—perfect for loading up after a busy week.
The Murano’s spacious trunk (up to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded down) means overpacking is officially encouraged.
As dusk settled during our drive into the countryside, it was dark by the time we made it to our lakeside cottage rental. As dusk settled, we made our way down the narrow dirt road to the cottage. The Murano’s all-wheel drive and Invisible Hood View made the unfamiliar route feel easy and stress-free. When parking, the 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor provided peace of mind, offering eight virtual vantage points around the vehicle.
The Sanctuary: Technology That Serves You
After a couple days spent reading, relaxing, eating and daring to jump into the still-frigid lake, the only thing that threatened to throw off our vibe was the long drive home. The Murano’s built-in Google Maps showed us traffic was pretty bad. When traffic slowed down on the way back, ProPILOT Assist 1.1 kept us comfortable, maintaining our lane and distance with ease. It’s like having an extra pair of eyes on the road. The latest system even uses navigation data to anticipate curves, adjusting cruise control speed proactively. It’s like having an attentive assistant at the wheel with you, watching your back.
The Murano’s dual 12.3-inch screens keep things uncluttered, making navigation, climate, and music controls easy to access. Plus, with wireless Apple CarPlay, you won’t have to dig for cables.
Arriving back in the city, the Murano’s thoughtful tech and relaxed ambiance managed to preserve our weekend-getaway vibe, despite all the traffic.
While we have experienced vehicles that prioritize comfort or performance statistics or aggressive styling, the new Murano offers something that proved to be even more useful: presence. Not just the kind that turns heads, but the kind that allows you to be fully present, even during those “lost” hours spent getting from place to place. The self-care SUV has arrived.
