Top Five Reasons to Buy a 2010 Nissan Murano

Lord Vader, Your SUV Has Arrived

(Starting at $28,050)

The Nissan Murano is the rarest of all SUV breeds. It isn't exorbitantly expensive but it is fast, sexy and just a little bit intimidating. You can just imagine noticing a black one pulling up on your tail on a deserted highway while the strains to AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" play in the background. Is this the beginning of a bad slasher movie or is this person just late picking up their kids? You just can't tell with the Murano.

The Looks: From the front the Murano looks like one of the huge grinning sharks from the film "Finding Nemo." At times cute and cuddly you also are never sure if you should fully turn your back towards it. Is it smiling or secretly memorizing your pin numbers at the ATM so it can take over your identity once you are "out of the picture?" That, dear readers, is up to you to decide. Without question, however, is the fact that this is one of the most unique and well put together SUV designs of the past decade. It allows SUV drivers to have their elevated seat position and their stylistic cake, too. And who doesn't like cake?

The Power: While the Murano does not share the new 3.7 liter V6 from the latest Z car it does have a slightly detuned version of the motor from the old 350Z. Enthusiasts have noted that the new 3.7 liter engine, while more powerful, is much harsher and has a tendency to send unbecoming vibrations through the cabin. And what is acceptable in a macho sports coupe just won't do for drivers of an SUV that is supposed to be calm and serene (with just that subtle touch of bravado).

The 3.5 liter V6 is a highly reliable and time proven unit that pumps out 265 horsepower and 248 pound feet of torque (torque is actually the measurement of twist an engine generates and is what you feel when you accelerate). The soundtrack is metallic and mellifluous without being so intrusive that you have to turn up the stereo.