Junian:
Look around at the competition. Price for value, you won't beat the Murano. Ultimately, you have to decide what you need. For me, I was looking for a vehicle that could carry the family (wife, son, two dogs), tow a bass boat, have AWD and other amenities, and plenty of versatility. I was NOT planning on going off-roading to any great degree. When I looked around, the Murano fit the bill. Other vehicles that I compared them too (and their downsides for me) included:
Acura MDX ($$$ and boring ride)
Honda Pilot (visually unappealing and not a lot of interior room)
Lexus RX330 ($$$ and boring ride)
BMW X5 ($$$$$$$$$$$$$)
BMW X3 (small interior, $$$ when options are added)
Chevy Equinox (small interior)
Chevy Trailblazer (a close second to the Murano)
Volvo X90 (unappealing styling - to me)
Subaru Forester (not enough amenities)
Infiniti FX ($$$)
That's not to say the Murano is perfect. I have had to quiet some interior rattles (most found thanks to the list), it doesn't come in a standard transmission (this is the first A/T I've owned), the roof rack crossbars are not adjustable, and I had to add an aftermarket back up warning system (the 05's now come with rear view camera option). Given what else is out there, however, the Murano was closest. Also, after visiting the Detroit Auto Show and seeking what Subaru, Mazda, and others are doing, I'm convinced the Murano was the right car for me. The other manufacturers seem to be all developing "crossover" vehicles that look remarkably similar to the Murano.
As for an SUV - as other posters have noted, its more of a car with a higher profile than a true SUV. That suits me just fine. I didn't need a "real" truck and do not miss the ride and handling of one. Coming off a Chevy Camaro, I though the Murano was a nice compromise between family obligations and driving fun.
Good luck in your car search.