I'm not aware that anyone - including Nissan - has been crazed enough to call the Murano a "sports car." That's a laugh.

And here's what Edmunds.com says (excerpted):

Edmunds.com

"Though the Murano lacks any performance intentions, it is a well-mannered SUV in normal driving. Even the 20-inch wheels that come with the Platinum trim don't degrade the ride quality. The steering is very light at low speeds but responses are predictable. Steering weight builds to a meaningful level by highway speeds but there still isn't much actual road feel. Overall, the Murano fills its role as a family hauler effectively, with a comfortable ride and predictable manners."

You are fully entitled to your opinion. Others may not share it. I might very well agree with you, as I personally like a heavier steering feel with more road feedback.

 

Some people might like the numb steering, I don't. I think it's important for potential buyers to know that the steering, and handling, are different from what they might expect. I had a 2003 Murano, and felt its handling was excellent. When I bought my 2015 Murano I expected the same, or better. I took it for a 5+/- mile test drive, which wasn't really enough to get a good feel for its steering and handling. As I said above, I simply felt it would be as good as the outgoing models. Not true, which is why I'm posting here. Overall, the 2015 Murano has some standout features. Handling is not one of them. See below some critics reviews.

Where the Murano faltered in my eyes was the surprisingly relaxed steering response. You have to turn the wheel considerably to get the desired reaction. This was apparent on two different cars I tested with 18-inch wheels, one front- and one all-wheel drive. My co-driver agreed with the assessment and was equally nonplussed. Cars.com

Oddly, the company that tends to want to call their vehicles “sports cars” (like the Maxima for example) the Murano is far from sporty. The steering is so vague if it wasn’t for the change in direction occurring I’d swear the steering wheel wasn’t connected to anything on the other end. Autos.ca

The only real dynamic letdown is the light steering, which lacks on-center feel and doesn’t communicate much of anything through the oversized steering wheel. Automobilemag.com

The only real complaints are numb steering and dashboard buttons that could use more backlighting. Latimes.com

He also says that the Murano isn't all that fun to drive, because it offers neither standout handling nor class-leading acceleration. Steering is also fairly vague, which is a surprise considering the crossover's sporty look. Autotrader.com

Unfortunately, steering is about as numb as a cavity patient's mouth. Indystar.com

There's certainly a difference in driving experience between the all-new Murano and the outgoing model. While we felt that the 2009-2014 Murano boasted a surprisingly sporty demeanor with quick, responsive steering and tight handling, the latest Murano simply feels a bit less engaging. Steering isn't as sharp, and handling doesn't seem to measure up to its predecessor. Autotrader.com

 

I knew when I read the title of this thread it would be some unsubstantiated drivel. I'd be surprised if the OP even owns a MO.

 

Personally, I don't have any issues with the feel of the steering. I'd say the turning radius isn't as tight as my '09 was, but that's my only steering complaint. Looks like maybe you should have done more research before making your purchase? In doing my research, I did read where some people were not pleased with its steering/feel. During the test drive I noted that it definitely felt different than my '09, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I feel like it's more of a luxury/premium feel in the steering, as opposed to the "sportier" feel of my previous Muranos, for lack of a better word. Now that I'm used to it, I don't give it a second thought.

 

Not sure where HALWG is coming from. What do you mean 'unsubstantiated'? I own a 2015 Murano, I am simply advising people who are considering getting a 2015 Murano that the handling may not be what they expected. I did A LOT of research. What I said was that I expected the 2015 Murano handling to be as good, or better, than previous models. IT IS NOT!

 

You left off- 'in your opinion'.....maybe other people see it differently. I didn't buy it the other day, because I still am not in love with style of it, yet, but I didn't see anything wrong with the way it drove, and I drove it about 15 + miles. Nice ride in my opinion. Handled fine.

Maybe you had exaggerated expectations. You know that's why people get disappointed.

Trade the car in. Get on with your life.

 

pbeinetti's comments are certainly well informed since he does own a 2015 Murano, however, it's odd that when people don't like something about a vehicle they assume it's the vehicles fault. 2015 is a complete redesign and thus performance or feel of performance is going to change. I've owned 3 Mo's and each one had good aspects and not so good aspects but I wouldn't throw the Mo away just because of the steering was "different". I know that when I turn left the car goes left and when I turn right it goes right and that is about all I care about anyway. I'm not driving in the Indy 500. You want to find the perfect car, for you, then you should do more lengthier test drives before purchasing. Not come on to a forum and claim ALL 2015 Murano's suck because you don't like the steering. Just sell it and move on.

 

it's regrettable when someone spend a lot of money on a new vehicle and then decides they don't like it. I'd advise the OP to return to the dealership and see if he can trade it on another new car. He'll take a hit on the price, but that's better than disliking and complaining about the steering for the entire time he owns the car.

 

It's called Buyer's Remorse. You see it all the time on the internet. People buy something, then regret doing it, and to justify regretting the purchase they come on line and post all sorts of nonsense about problems with the item. I see it on all manner of Forums that I frequent.

I think they are trying to get people to agree with them that the item is garbage and then they can feel better about a purchase they regret making. Happens all the time on-line.

 

When I sold cars, we called it the BR's.

Some people do have that, but it amazes me the number of people who complain about a feature of their car and never do anything about it.

My wife and I actually bought her a (used) car, and the next day she woke up and told me it was the wrong one. We called the dealership, put a hold on the paperwork and found another car at the dealership which was better for her.

Never had done that before, but much can be done with quick action and good will.

 

I have an 09 SL and 2015 Platinum and the steering is very different, I find the 09 has more power assist feel IMO, but I like them both, just to me they feel different

 

I have a 2004 SE and drive new 2015s all day and can definitely tell the steering wheel is much lighter on the 15 but I don't mind it. My wife complains of how stiff her 04 is. But the 15 has the electro power steering assist much like all Nissan's are going to where the pump is electric instead of belt driven and the steering effort is electronically controlled based upon various inputs such as speed, yaw rate, RPM, temp, etc and should decrease steering effort at higher speeds to give a more sporty feel.

 

That was the main reason I purchased the 2015 Murano; relaxed and comfortable driving experience. If I wanted to drive a sports car I would have purchased the 370Z or the GT-R. The 2015 Murano is not a “sports car” by any stretch of the imagination. It is what it is, a very comfortable, good value / lots of technology for the money kind of vehicle, and oh I forgot to mention good looking too. I really like my 2015 Murano platinum edition with technology pkg the way it is, I would not change anything.

 

I actually like the light feel on a big vehicle like this. Makes it feel nice and snappy. My 2013 Altima has a tighter steering and it works well for that car.

 

I bought a Platinum FWD nearly 2 weeks ago...and the steering...while somewhat light in effort...has a very precise off-center feel. Very little input is needed to get a reaction turning the steering wheel left or right off-center. It was as good as my 2012 Maxima I traded in...in off-center reaction. The only thing I can agree on from the complaints I have heard on this forum and in online articles is the lighter feel. That's not an issue to me as it's not a sports car. The other complaints discussed here I have not had any of the same issues on mine. It was built in late March...so that could be why maybe? Latest electric power steering calibration?

 

It was built in late March...so that could be why maybe? Latest electric power steering calibration?

How do you find when it was built? The stickers inside the door?

 

I just had mine on the Interstate for the first time, It is kind of light on the steering but i dont think it is anything that i wont be able to get use to, The 2011 Maxima was a strange creature to get use to on the Hiway, Just need time to re familarize myself with a strange car,

 

Oh, and if you haven't seen this, it's a interesting video for the 2015 Murano. Although I'd never do this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxQtsPrlVxA

 

Oh, and if you haven't seen this, it's a interesting video for the 2015 Murano. Although I'd never do this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxQtsPrlVxA

Pretty impressive. I think it did better than my 2014 Explorer with Terrain Management. What would really help is a set of all terrain tires. The all season street tires actually did pretty well. A more aggressive tire would have eliminated most of that spinning and having to back up.

 

I have my 2015 SL for a few weeks now and on my way home from the dealer delivery, steering seemed light and a bit "floating". When I got home I grabbed my tire gauge and as I thought, each tire had 45 lbs of air, way over the 33 called for. I set each tire for 33 PSI and the steering is just fine. After coming off a 2012 Pathfinder, the steering would be different.
Dealers pump in 45lbs so if the cars have a slow leak, they can be displayed and demo'd. We have Commonwealth of PA safety inspection and emissions and they pump up the tires during that time.
Thus far I like my Murano very much and as a "new car trader" for Ford, Chevy, Nissan, I like my Nissan much more.

 

Just got back from a 400-mile round trip journey with my '15 Platinum. I would say the steering is a hair lighter than I'd like for day-to-day driving, but was great for such a long drive - my arms weren't fatigued at all, plus it tracked nice and straight and didn't follow ruts in the road.

When you add in the reduced cognitive load of the radar cruise control, comfortable ventilated seats, and quiet ride - the Murano is amazing for road trips.

 

If you ever wanted to feel a light steering wheel you should have driven the late 1960's to early 1970 Mopar's. At age eighteen where I learned on a 57 Chevy, a 1960 Renault Dauphine, 1961 Falcon, throw in a 1968 Javelin with NO Power steering, My dad buys a beautiful 1968 Plymouth Fury III with power everything (some were still options then). You were able to use your pinky finger to turn the 4500 lb car at over 18 feet long. It was so light that it was scary but the more my dad let me drive a new car, you got use to it.

 

I personally don't mind it to much and its pretty easy to get used to. Also to anyone else on the fence for any vehicle please take it for a weekend test drive. This way you can have a unbiased opinion without a salesman bothering you as you drive.

Overall the car handles well, quick maneuvers can be risky with high speeds but it is a SUV crossover.

 

Just picked up our SL AWD with Tech Package this past Monday. I have had 4 Maximas (including two presently) and couldnt find another SUV that I was comfortable with. I drove it and didnt really notice any issues that others might be seeing. It is a luxury type vehicle for driving around town or the highway and very comfortable and quiet. We did not want one that was sporty which would have a stiffer suspension and tighter steering.

Anyway this is my first post and glad I found this site......

 

Just picked up our SL AWD with Tech Package this past Monday. I have had 4 Maximas (including two presently) and couldn't find another SUV that I was comfortable with. I drove it and didn't really notice any issues that others might be seeing. It is a luxury type vehicle for driving around town or the highway and very comfortable and quiet. We did not want one that was sporty which would have a stiffer suspension and tighter steering.

Anyway this is my first post and glad I found this site......

Same here. I've had two Maxima's and an Altima coupe before the Murano. Knew what I was getting into, trading sportiness for comfort and room. It doesn't necessarily suck getting older; it's just different. I really like the safety features that come with my Platinum edition with Tech package.

 

Nothing wrong with my steering. Love it actually... Find something else to complain about

 

Is the steering numb with no on-center feel? Yep.

Did I know that going in? Yep.

Do I care? If I did, I wouldn't have purchased the car. I've had plenty of cars that felt glued to the road. The problem is that they suck for daily driving.

 

I have a different experience with my steering feel in my 2015 Platinum FWD. It has great on-center reaction and road feel. It's just a bit light...but good communication back to the driver. It's nearly as good as my 2012 Maxima SV I traded....just less effort.

 

Traded my 2013 Pathfinder on a 2015 Murano. Can not detect any difference in the steering between the two. In fact the steering is pretty much the same as every other car that I have owned in the past 10 years. I would recommend the new Murano to anyone. Just remember that it is not suppose to be a track car just a reliable people hauler.

 

I took delivery of my Platinum Murano last Friday. Have put 500 miles on it so far. The steering to me is, as reviewers have said, kind-of "numb". However, I read all the professional reviews before committing to the car, and took TWO test drives from different dealers. I wanted to make sure I had enough wheel time to know if I was going to be okay with the vehicle's handling charatristics. I was and am. This is my first-ever Nissan. So far I'm extremely happy with the buy. Unfortunately I own two large German Shepherds, so I had to put blankets down in the back. Oh well.

This car has every option except the few dumb ones. (I bought it with kick-plate lights, and those haven't even been released by Nissan yet.) I love the indirect lighting. I love the cream interior. I love the orange exterior. It's also my first-ever car with a sunroof (I'm pretty tall, and the Murano is the first car I've ever driven where I can sit at the angle I like and not bump my head on the roof with a sunroof-equipped model.) It has plenty of power, handles well, is extraordinarily quiet, and as others have said, the various safety management systems are kind-of fun to experience when they kick-in.

I had to wait two weeks to get it, as it had to be trucked down from Missouri. Evidently, the model I wanted with the options I wanted in the colors I wanted are very, very rare currently. But this thing turns heads everywhere I go. Down here in the Austin area, most people drive black, white or gray cars. Those who don't tend to drive red ones. I wanted something different. Boy, I sure got it.

One caveat: I just washed it today in an automatic car wash with a blower at the end to dry it. The spoiler DID NOT LIKE that at all. So I suggest that you not wash it in such a facility. Outside of that, I'm extremely pleased with my purchase. Great car, great handling for its class, lots of room, totally classy interior. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it - heh....

 

The steering to me is, as reviewers have said, kind-of "numb".

Agree completely but not a deal breaker for me, and I took 2 test drives as well. If you want to feel poor steering go drive a hyundai SUV (and I have nothing against them in general).

Love the Murano overall. No need for "buyer beware".

2015 Platinum AWD Tech, Gun Metal