2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the Murano CrossCabriolet, and includes Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Imagine back in the day when Neanderthals first encountered Homo Sapiens. There is now scientific evidence that, despite societal mores, they hooked up. Now imagine the offspring of such an encounter, and you have a pretty good idea of what Nissan created with the CrossCabriolet. It’s an almost $50,000, two-door, four-seat, all-wheel-drive convertible based on the Nissan Murano midsize crossover SUV, which means that, kindly put, its got a unique look and tons of personality. Correspondingly, Nissan is planning to sell only about 5,000 CrossCabriolets this year.

To help meet sales targets, the only change for the 2012 Nissan CrossCabriolet is that the touch-screen navigation system is no longer a standard feature. For 2012, you must now pay an extra $1,850 for it. But the base price for the CrossCabriolet correspondingly drops by $1,850.

At least this part is easy. The Murano CrossCabriolet only comes in one trim level and is fully equipped except for the option of a navigation system and quilted leather upholstery.

Amongst the numerous standard features are a fully automatic cloth top that opens and closes at the touch of a button, 20-inch alloy wheels, and all-wheel drive. Additional highlights include leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats with an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a heated and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition is included, along with bi-Xenon headlights, a reversing camera, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system with an auxiliary audio input jack, iPod connection, and satellite radio.

The Murano CrossCab’s optional navigation system is a touch-screen unit with real-time traffic and weather information, and Bluetooth streaming audio capability.

Press the Murano CrossCabriolet’s accelerator to access 265 horsepower courtesy of a 3.5-liter V6. According to independent research, the V6 moves this convertible from a standstill to 60 mph in just over eight seconds. Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (a continuously variable transmission with Adaptive Shift Control that gives you a bit of control over gearing characteristics) delivers power to all four of the Murano CrossCab’s wheels.

The EPA estimates that the Murano CrossCabriolet will return 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, all while burning premium gasoline. That’s slightly lower fuel economy than the hard-shell Murano AWD.

Safety systems like antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, stability control, a rearview camera, and the enhanced traction of all-wheel drive come standard on the 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. Helping to keep you safe in case of a collision are six airbags and roll bars that automatically pop up should the vehicle sense an impending rollover.

As tends to be the case with most niche models that don’t sell in large numbers, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has performed crash tests on the 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.

Reliability data for the standard Murano indicates that the CrossCabriolet version ought to prove dependable, as long as the convertible top is durable. Consumer Reports gives the Murano an above average rating for predicted reliability, but J.D. Power and Associates believes the Murano will provide average dependability over time.

This is not really a “fun” fact. The tragic Japanese earthquake restricted production and sales of many Japanese cars, but the Murano CrossCabriolet was strongly impacted by the disaster. Nissan had just launched the model and had only sold about 50 CrossCabriolet when the temblor shut down production for an extended period of time.

You would think that a convertible based on a crossover SUV would give you loads of cargo space. Not so. Trunk capacity with the top down measures a scant 7.6 cubic-feet, barely more than a Mazda MX-5 Miata or Mini Cooper Convertible. Raise the top, and cargo space jumps to a dismal 12.3 cubic-feet.

We appreciate it when a company thinks outside of the box as much as the next person. We really do. What we’re not so crazy about is weirdness for the sake of being weird. There’s a reason why cars like the Audi A5 Cabriolet, BMW 3 Series Convertible, Infiniti G37 Convertible, Lexus IS C, Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet, and even the Volkswagen Eos are considered desirable; they reflect an understanding that the appeal of a convertible is not only in giving drivers the freedom of experiencing the sunlight and fresh air but also in doing so with romance and in style.

That said, if you have about $50,000 to spend and you’re truly looking for an uniquely styled open-top vehicle that will hold your rear seat passengers in comfort, an elevated driving stance, and you absolutely can’t stand the rough edges of a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, we suppose the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet might scratch your itch.

By Liz Kim