Over the weekend I test drove an Infinity FX35, and then within 1 hour I drove to a Nissan dealer and test drove the Murano again (third time).
Interior: The FX35 seems much better built than the Murano. The doors seemed more solid and the cockpit was far nicer than the Murano. I really liked the memory power adjustable steering wheel. Also the gauges looked far nicer than the three pod cluster of gauges on the Murano. Both had the same digital display in the middle. The seats were a close tie for comfort, though the FX35 had more power adjustments available. The back seat in the FX35 seemed much tighter in leg room than the Murano, and also it was much harder to get into the back seat of the FX35 then it was the Murano (I had to maneuver my feet to get into the FX35 like I would a Jetta).
The hatch back area of the FX35 is not as tall a birth as the Murano for taller cargo, but looked about the same whith and depth (with the seats reclined) as the Murano. Overall I though the FX35 had a better interior if backseat riders are not a daily necessity.
Exterior: The FX35 and Murano both have standard 18" alloy wheels, so I don't have a huge preference on that. Both the Murano and FX35 look great on the road. The FX35 has a sleeker longer "pumped-up" stationwageon on steroids look to it, where the Murano has a taller stealthier SUV meets futuristic minivan on big wheels look. Both are great in a different way. I did prefer the FX35's paint choices over the Murano (much better metallic paints).
Also, I like the fact that the FX35 has HID lights standard on its base model. Both have aggressive duel exhaust ports.
Ride and power: The FX35 had a nice robust V6 with 280 HP. It was fun using the optional tiptronic shifting on city streets for those of you who like a little more action with your drive. The Murano is smooth as silk, and in "S" mode takes off very quickly and somewhat faster than the higher HP FX35.
The ride on both is nice. The Murano's so far that I have test driver have all been SL's, and the FX was just a standard base model with 18" wheels. Overall both SUV's where fun to drive, comfortable and powerful. I really noticed that the Murano had better visibility for sightseeing than the FX, but the FX was fun to rip around city streets using the tiptronic system.
So far I am stuck on both SUV's. The Murano that I want will run me close to $36k MSRP with Nav, and the FX35 will run me $37k without the Nav, but with all the same options as the Murano plus superior warrantee service over Nissan (Infinity even lets you use a free G35 for as long as your FX is in the shop!).
So both have advantages and the price is really close.
Interior: The FX35 seems much better built than the Murano. The doors seemed more solid and the cockpit was far nicer than the Murano. I really liked the memory power adjustable steering wheel. Also the gauges looked far nicer than the three pod cluster of gauges on the Murano. Both had the same digital display in the middle. The seats were a close tie for comfort, though the FX35 had more power adjustments available. The back seat in the FX35 seemed much tighter in leg room than the Murano, and also it was much harder to get into the back seat of the FX35 then it was the Murano (I had to maneuver my feet to get into the FX35 like I would a Jetta).
The hatch back area of the FX35 is not as tall a birth as the Murano for taller cargo, but looked about the same whith and depth (with the seats reclined) as the Murano. Overall I though the FX35 had a better interior if backseat riders are not a daily necessity.
Exterior: The FX35 and Murano both have standard 18" alloy wheels, so I don't have a huge preference on that. Both the Murano and FX35 look great on the road. The FX35 has a sleeker longer "pumped-up" stationwageon on steroids look to it, where the Murano has a taller stealthier SUV meets futuristic minivan on big wheels look. Both are great in a different way. I did prefer the FX35's paint choices over the Murano (much better metallic paints).
Also, I like the fact that the FX35 has HID lights standard on its base model. Both have aggressive duel exhaust ports.
Ride and power: The FX35 had a nice robust V6 with 280 HP. It was fun using the optional tiptronic shifting on city streets for those of you who like a little more action with your drive. The Murano is smooth as silk, and in "S" mode takes off very quickly and somewhat faster than the higher HP FX35.
The ride on both is nice. The Murano's so far that I have test driver have all been SL's, and the FX was just a standard base model with 18" wheels. Overall both SUV's where fun to drive, comfortable and powerful. I really noticed that the Murano had better visibility for sightseeing than the FX, but the FX was fun to rip around city streets using the tiptronic system.
So far I am stuck on both SUV's. The Murano that I want will run me close to $36k MSRP with Nav, and the FX35 will run me $37k without the Nav, but with all the same options as the Murano plus superior warrantee service over Nissan (Infinity even lets you use a free G35 for as long as your FX is in the shop!).
So both have advantages and the price is really close.