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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Four premieres and five Bard plays to highlight Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2016 season Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Ashland Fire & Rescue: New column about Ashland emergency services debuts Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Education Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Teacher's Tips: Who gets to teach history? Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Ashland's Standing Stone brew pub joins green beer coalition Cars We Remember: 1967 Rambler Rebel, 1960 Rambler American Super, and some early engine design flaws Silvio Calabi: Nissan has a winner with its new Murano Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Rosalind Dee Death Notices Norman Christlieb James Ellis York Death Notices Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Grizz bats heat up in Bend Kansas City Royals star pitcher Jeremy Guthrie visits Ashland to kickoff fundraising campaign Ducks enjoy the challenge Fantasy Sports: Clayton Kershaw a clear-cut ace Oregon bows out High school Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Southern Oregon University Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Oregon State women come up short in second-round loss to Gonzaga Raiders roughed up at Corban Ducks survive, advance Voices Latest Stories Rick Holmes: What addicts say about getting high and getting better Landgren cartoon: Arsenic wine Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Council Corner: Getting to yes or no — or maybe Granlund cartoon: Ted Cruz enters the 2016 race Editorial Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Letters Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Columns Council Corner: Getting to yes or no — or maybe Chris Honoré: 'Like a ghastly rapid river, through the pale door, a hideous throng rush out ...' Herb Rothschild: Donating with care Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Matthew T. Mangino: When is a confession not a confession? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Best bets for entertainment around Ashland, March 19 Theater The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Ticket Availability Camelot Theatre in Talent: This 'Sunset' is not as dark Ticket availability Ticket availability Music Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 More wonderful wrinkles at 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' 8 must-see spring films Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Season Stepp: Waffle iron isn’t just for breakfast anymore Food for Thought: Watermelon is the perfect smoothie ingredient Episode 2.4: The case of the missing client Cars We Remember: 1967 Rambler Rebel, 1960 Rambler American Super, and some early engine design flaws Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Four premieres and five Bard plays to highlight Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2016 season ... Southern Oregon University names director of marketing ... Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef ... Four premieres and five Bard plays to highlight Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2016 season ... Southern Oregon University names director of marketing ... Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef ... Silvio Calabi: Nissan has a winner with its new Murano By Silvio Calabi More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 23, 2015 @ 8:22 am By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 23, 2015 @ 8:22 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> When the Murano, Nissan’s midsize sport-utility vehicle, showed up back in 2003, it made a strong impression on me as an example of what a crossover SUV should be. At the time, many utes were still pickup trucks with five-door bodies draped over them, and they drove and handled accordingly. The Murano, by contrast, was wonderfully tight and responsive, with a capable suspension attached to a stiff monocoque structure. It had a crisp look to go with its demeanor too, and, if memory serves, it also had the first power tailgate I’d ever seen. I always wondered why even more people weren’t buying those things. The other reason the Murano stood out is that for a while there was a version of it called the CrossCabriolet — the first-ever, and so far only, convertible SUV. It didn’t sell well, at least outside Palm Beach, so it’s a goner. Nice try, though, and interesting thinking. Now here we are in 2015 with the third generation of the Murano. Will it emerge from the shadow of its sister ships in the Nissan/Infiniti fleet? I’m thinking yes. Style-wise, the new Murano is a three-point drop-in from center court. Nissan toned down the gaping maw of its Resonance Concept, the 2013 show vehicle on which this Murano is based, so the V-Motion grille should no longer frighten toddlers and small animals. (The Aha! factor isn’t to be overlooked. I thought Audi had lost its mind when they introduced their droop-jawed, pavement-scraping grille some years back, but it’s become a signature that’s recognizable from a mile away.) The rest of the Murano manages to be both sleek and voluptuous, at least when it’s not coated with snow and road slop. The boomerang tail lamps, the LED Signature lights and the “floating roof” — with blacked-out back windows and door pillars and sweetly tapering lines — work well, and the Murano wound up a lot prettier than any of its more costly Infiniti cousins. The new Murano is aerodynamically cleaner too, for better gas mileage and less wind noise. Our first impressions on sliding into the driver’s seat were just as positive, along the lines of “Ooh, only 37 grand? Looks and feels like more.” Nissan makes a big deal out of its NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats, and they are indeed comfy. The “social lounge” ambience (Nissan’s phrase) of the new Murano is enhanced by attractive materials and sculpted shapes, a simplified instrument panel with 10 switches instead of 25, a larger, brighter touch screen, and loads of light flooding in through larger windows and an optional two-panel sunroof. In the back, passengers get more knee room and a USB port, but the sloping roof cuts into leg (not head) room. There’s more space in the cargo area now as well. Between four trim levels (S, SV, SL and Platinum) and front- or all-wheel drive, there are eight Murano versions at starting prices from $30,000 to $40,000. Both drivetrains share the same 3.5-liter, regular-gas V-6 engine — rated for 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, and 21 to 28 MPG — and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The power is neither under- nor overwhelming and, while the transmission may be stepless, thanks to something called D-Step Logic there’s no droning or awkward shifting. A 12-year-old memory isn’t to be trusted, but compared to the first Murano, this one seems to have traded away some over-the-road crispness for a plusher ride and extra comfort. As expected, the new Murano has a long list of standard features, including a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, pushbutton starting, USB ports, satellite radio and Bluetooth. Optional features include that two-panel sunroof, a nine-speaker Bose stereo with HD Radio, remote starting, power-folding rear seats, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree monitoring system with up to four cameras and three radar sensors, and GPS navigation with an eight-inch touch screen. Clearly Nissan has high expectations of its new Murano, which for the first time will be manufactured in the U.S. — in Canton, Mississippi — and exported to more than 100 markets worldwide. Including Italy, where they know that Murano is an island full of glass-blowers in the Lagoon of Venice. Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich, Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever else interesting cars are born. Silvio is a member of the International Motor Press Association whose automotive reviews date back to the Reagan administration. He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated magazine and an author. Contact him at [email protected]. LIKES: Updated cabin & features Prettiest Nissan of all Seems like it should cost more DISLIKES: Slightly ponderous feeling Knees-to-chin seating in back By Silvio Calabi More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 23, 2015 @ 8:22 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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