Hi All,
I'm new here... just started looking for an athletic, quick, fun-to-drive vehicle that has an automatic transmission and has good utility. That drove me to look at several vehicles such as the Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Chevy Trailblazer, Ford Explorer, etc.
I was lucky enough to come across a dealership in Costa Mesa that was both a Nissan and a Chevrolet dealership. My salesman went over both the Trailblazer and the Murano quite well, and after that, he turned me loose with both cars. ("Take it out for 20-30 mintues. Enjoy yourself!"
I've never been given an offer like that before! So not to look a gift horse in the mouth... I did!
) I should say that both of the vehicles I drove were used, so the Trailblazer had 11K miles and the Murano had 8K miles.
I drove the Trailblazer first (an LTZ model). I had the truck out for exactly two blocks before I returned to the dealership.
I drove the Murano (SL AWD) next. I had the Murano out for almost 40 minutes before bringing it back!
My impressions are:
1) The Trailblazer's rear doors don't seem to open as wide as the Muranos. Also the rear seat in the Trailblazer noticeably lacks the leg room of the Murano.
2) Acceleration in the Trailblazer is decent (with good power further up the RPM range.) But I found myself flooring the truck pretty often.
3) The word "truck" came to mind several times during this 2 block test drive. It rides nicely, but it leans in corners and the steering lacked precision.
4) The Murano is sprightly. It accelerates well from rest and the Sport mode really does help with engine braking. The CVT felt well suited to this SUV.
5) The Murano leans a bit in turns (not too much) but has very athletic handling! I was genuinely surprised!
6) The ride was very comfortable! Surprising given its handling.
7) I felt the interior of the Murano was better laid-out and more effectively used the space than in the Trailblazer.
I will check the other vehicles on my list... but I'm already 85% certain that the Murano will be the hands-down winner! It's a bummer that the dealership's used Murano's didn't have the NAV option... otherwise I'd be driving one now!
Bob
I'm new here... just started looking for an athletic, quick, fun-to-drive vehicle that has an automatic transmission and has good utility. That drove me to look at several vehicles such as the Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Chevy Trailblazer, Ford Explorer, etc.
I was lucky enough to come across a dealership in Costa Mesa that was both a Nissan and a Chevrolet dealership. My salesman went over both the Trailblazer and the Murano quite well, and after that, he turned me loose with both cars. ("Take it out for 20-30 mintues. Enjoy yourself!"
I drove the Trailblazer first (an LTZ model). I had the truck out for exactly two blocks before I returned to the dealership.
I drove the Murano (SL AWD) next. I had the Murano out for almost 40 minutes before bringing it back!
My impressions are:
1) The Trailblazer's rear doors don't seem to open as wide as the Muranos. Also the rear seat in the Trailblazer noticeably lacks the leg room of the Murano.
2) Acceleration in the Trailblazer is decent (with good power further up the RPM range.) But I found myself flooring the truck pretty often.
3) The word "truck" came to mind several times during this 2 block test drive. It rides nicely, but it leans in corners and the steering lacked precision.
4) The Murano is sprightly. It accelerates well from rest and the Sport mode really does help with engine braking. The CVT felt well suited to this SUV.
5) The Murano leans a bit in turns (not too much) but has very athletic handling! I was genuinely surprised!
6) The ride was very comfortable! Surprising given its handling.
7) I felt the interior of the Murano was better laid-out and more effectively used the space than in the Trailblazer.
I will check the other vehicles on my list... but I'm already 85% certain that the Murano will be the hands-down winner! It's a bummer that the dealership's used Murano's didn't have the NAV option... otherwise I'd be driving one now!
Bob