Nissan Murano Z51

## Nissan Murano (Z51, 2009–2014)

The second-generation Murano (Z51) is an upper-mid-size comfort SUV that deliberately favours ease over off-road ability. Beneath the soft, bulky body works the familiar VQ35DE, a 3.5-litre V6 with around 249 hp that moves the Murano confidently but thirstily. Power goes to the axles through a Jatco continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Murano was never meant to be sporty — it scores with quiet running, long suspension travel, a spacious cabin and a comfort-oriented set-up that makes it a relaxed long-distance and family car. Anyone who values smoothness and space over agility will find a pleasantly unhurried vehicle here.

The biggest risk on the Z51 is clearly the CVT. The Jatco CVTs of these years are considered fragile; failure is a well-known, expensive weak point, and a transmission replacement can exceed the car's value. Symptoms such as shudder, loss of power, a whining or rubber-band feel under acceleration, or overheating are serious warning signs. Anyone buying a Murano should warm the CVT up on the test drive and watch for clean, even power delivery — regular transmission fluid changes extend its life considerably but were often neglected in practice, since the gearbox was long regarded as maintenance-free.

There are other typical issues too. The air-conditioning compressor can fail and spread metal debris through the refrigerant circuit — contaminating the whole system and making the repair extensive, as several components often have to be replaced. The rack-and-pinion steering develops leaks and loses fluid. The signature panoramic glass roof is known to shatter spontaneously on occasion, which is costly and annoying. On top of that comes the Takata airbag recall affecting these years — a safety-critical matter that must be checked off before buying.

When buying, the CVT is clearly the focus. A documented transmission fluid-change history, a judder-free, whine-free test drive and a completed Takata recall are the key points; it is also worth checking the air conditioning, steering and glass roof. Anyone who finds a well-maintained Z51 with a healthy gearbox gets a comfortable, strongly engined SUV with distinctive styling and good space — but a cheap Murano with an unclear history is a gamble in which the CVT can be the most expensive loser. Better to pay a little more for a cared-for example than to risk a gearbox failure.