2015 Nissan Murano named U.S. News "Best 2-Row SUV for Families"

2015 Nissan Murano Press Kit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Already the U.S. News Best "2-Row SUV for the Money," the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano adds another title to its growing list of accolades. Today, U.S. News & World Report named the 2015 Nissan Murano Best "2-Row SUV for Families" in its annual "Best Cars for Families" awards. Murano, which is also currently listed as the U.S. News "No. 1 Affordable Midsize SUV," bested two fellow 2015 finalists to earn top honors in the class.

The "Best Cars for Families" awards combine professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features into a composite score. Within each of 19 categories, the vehicle with the highest score is named the Best Car for Families in that category.

Based on the U.S. News analysis, the 2015 Murano was recognized for having the best combination of positive reviews, safety and reliability scores, interior space, and family-friendly features in its class. In particular, features like Around View® Monitor helped Murano win because it gives parents a virtual 360-degree bird's-eye view of the area around the vehicle, helping to make parking easier. The Murano was also noted for its multiple USB ports and well-reviewed touchscreen system that helps to keep everyone in the family entertained among other qualities to capture the crown of "Best 2-Row SUV for Families." Earlier this year, the 2015 Murano beat out 11 fellow midsize SUVs to earn its current position as U.S. News "No. 1 Affordable Midsize SUV."

"When the all-new 2015 Murano went on sale in December, we were confident this vehicle would be among the best," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. "Featuring undeniable comfort, ample interior and cargo space, advanced safety features and so much more, experts and customers alike are now seeing in the 2015 Murano what we've seen all along – the all-new Murano is in an elite class, and we're ecstatic to validate this with another highly-coveted U.S. News award."

The all-new third-generation Murano features modern styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. The breakthrough exterior design projects a sense of refined intensity, creating an immediate "wow" response, while delivering a low 0.31 Cd drag coefficient. The breakthrough exterior design carries into the interior, which offers an engaging social lounge feel through features such as the refined instrument panel, low center console, advanced NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof.

Premium features and driving assistance technologies abound in the 2015 Murano, including available NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch color display with multi-touch control, Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection (MOD), Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Every 2015 Murano comes with a standard 260-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 connected to an advanced Xtronic transmission. Fuel economy has increased 20 percent (over the previous generation) for combined mpg and is rated at 21/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models.

The 2015 Murano is offered in four trim levels – S, SV, SL and Platinum – and in a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* for the Murano S FWD is $29,560 USD, while the top-of-the-line Murano Platinum AWD is priced at $40,600 USD (full pricing is available at NissanNews.com).

To view the complete U.S. News Best Cars for Families awards list, please visit http://usnews.com/cars-families.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About U.S. News Best Cars
U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings for new vehicles sold in America since 2007 and rankings for used vehicles since 2012. U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families awards annually. U.S. News Best Cars has grown in popularity and influence each year; in 2014, the site received over 45 million visitors. Over 65 percent of visitors were actively shopping for a car, while 80 percent of active shoppers reported that the U.S. News Best Cars site influenced their car purchasing decision.

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*MSRP excludes applicable tax, title, license fees and destination charges. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice. Destination and handling $885.

Media Contact:

Dan Passe
Product Communications, Nissan North America
615-725-5264
dan.passe@nissan-usa.com