By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
If paying that much, why not get a real SUV with a lower frequency of repair, and the luxury Americans want :confuse:
Most magazines made a mistake when they measured rear legroom, because you have to hit a release knob to move the 2nd row back all the way. It's about a 4" difference.
Some mags even had pics and you could see the gap between the 2nd and 3rd rows. When the 2nd row is all the way back there is no gap.
In that position, there is abundant 2nd row leg room.
I had no problem in any row except the 3rd, obviously.
-juice
90% of third rows are good for nothing other than small kids and pets. So unless there is some reason you have non-family members constantly in your car, or you have more than 3 kids, it's a waste. My wife didn't like the kids that far back, and always had them in the 2nd row.
Outside of the Mercedes, Escalade, Navigator world, I have yet to see a really functional third row on any vehicle in years.
Just yesterday we drove my 7 year old's friend home, and have to rearrange all the booster seats. She'd be fine in the 3rd row (it's sized about right) for that 2 mile or so trip.
I'd probably use it once a week, i.e. not often enough to buy a minivan but enough that I'd find it useful.
-juice
Perhaps Range Rover should invest in "enhancing" reliability, not interiors.
http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/10-08-06_14
The 3rd row of my 2yr old Ford Freestyle has 33" legroom and 38" of headroom in the 3rd row (about the same legroom as the back seat of a Honda Civic, and the same headroom as an Accord in the back seat) and that's with the 2nd row at 40" of legroom. But the Freestyle isn't an SUV and can't tow much.
The new Saturn Outlook and Buick Acadia are also 3row CUVs coming out with adult. You can go to the Outlook forum and hear all sort of bragging about how good they are.
Pacifica might also have a 3rd row fit for adults, though I haven't tried one in a while.
-juice
Just to throw in the other option, for $32,500, you could get a Tribeca 7pass, limited with Nav. (that's what they're going for these days- about $2K or more under invoice). A vehicle with an MSRP of near $38K. It's got the best safety ratings of any of them, a better AWD system, back-up camera, nice quality leather, very cool interior, better ride, great handling etc. The exterior of the Murano is a bit better looking. The Pilot looks like a box. I like the Tribeca.
The Tribeca I own is proving to be even more of a vehicle than I had dreamed it would be. So- you can fall in love with practicality- as long as it tickels your fancy enough.
Yes, it cost a bit more, but we love it. I wouldn't even say the Pilot drove like a truck. It just floated along, more like what I'd guess it's like driving a bus. The Murano--as one Car and Driver writer put it--is the 350Z of sport-utes. For a vehicle with the Murano's height, it handles amazingly. It's now in it's fifth year of production, so it's likely the bugs have been worked out. The CVT is very smooth. Highway mileage appears to be better than my neighbor's Pilot. By the way, the back-up camera available on all SL and SE Muranos, with or without navigation, is wonderful. Go for it. You should be able to get one at invoice.
Granted-the external styling of the Murano is a bit nicer than the Beca, but I think the Subaru blows away Nissan on the interior. Performance wise they are similar, and the Tribeca has quite a bit more rear cargo room, as well as available 7 passenger seating, that doesn't use up any of the cargo room when seats are folded down. (nice).
Snow tires, of course, will improve the grip even more. The stock tires aren't terrible, but it's the Subaru AWD system that makes them seem better then they are.
Automobile also said the Tribeca engine has "weak low-end torque." They went on to say "the transmission is frequently unsure of itself, especially during kickdown exercises in normal (not sport) mode" and "downshifts are inconsistent in speed and force, and the kickdowns are often too abrupt in relation to throttle position." Murano's CVT is smooth as butter. Car and Driver, on the other hand, described the Murano as "the 350Z of sport-utes." Murano SL and SE models come with standard rear-view camera.
If snow is your number one concern, the Subaru has a slightly superior AWD system. Otherwise, the Murano is a better drive.
Granted- the interior of the Tribeca doesn't compare to the quality level of a Touareg, but the design is striking, whereas I find the Murano blocky. Granted- this is all subjective.
The Murano has a better 'sports' car feel, but the Tribeca did just as well in the slalom and better in the stopping tests from major magazines. Off road- the tribeca eats up the terrain, while the murano knocks your fillings loose. The Murano has slightly better mileage, but it smaller and lighter- so that makes sense.
I bet you didn't hit the release knob that lets the Tribeca's 2nd row move back another 4". There is plenty of leg room in the 2nd row, or at least 4" more than you think.
Real aluminum in the Murano? Well, if so, keep in mind aluminum dents if you hit a brief case up against it. There are times when plastic is better, and any interior surface that will get abuse is probably better off with a plastic.
I have aluminum siding on my house - sadly it's dented all over the place.
Mileage is about the same, no significant difference there, and the Tribeca is bigger so the tiny difference is justified.
The great majority of the press loved the Tribeca's interior. You went out and found one single exception, which is just that, an exception.
C&D called it "plush" and said the "controls are simple and self-evident".
Road & Track said the "interior has a high-tech style that's a breath of fresh air".
New Car Test Drive wrote "The Subaru Tribeca's interior is a stunning styling statement. Visually, and ergonomically, it's a delight. It's been a long time since we've felt so immediately comfortable climbing into a new car for the first time".
LA Times wrote "As surprising as the exterior is, the interior is a shock. It's gorgeous".
Forbes said "The cockpit is modern and clean" and "From a style standpoint, the interior is of a much higher grade than you'd find in a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander".
Just keep in mind all of those are in *sharp* contrast to your opinion of the Tribeca.
-juice
PS Didn't Automobile pick the Chevrolet Caprice COTY when it came out?
Seems to me like yours is even more so. As was the one above mine, which is what prompted mine. Look, in typical Subaru fashion (and I owned an SVX) the Tribeca interior may look good but it is CHEAPLY-MADE. Sorry if you can't see that.
The Murano is now in the fifth year of its model cycle with no need for incentives on 2007s. Subaru is now offering $1250 rebates on 2007 Tribecas, and it was introduced just one year ago. What does that tell you?
Oh, morey000, recent research shows tall people are smarter and earn more money, so being tall is not a problem at all. Maybe that's why we buy Muranos.
No evidence of that shown here. :P
I was just checking my spreadsheet on my '99 Quest fwiw - I've spend over $2,500 on maintenance and repair over 115,000 miles. A little over $1,000 of that was for tires. The rest was normal dealer service and oil/filter changes, a few bulbs and a battery. The only "repair" not covered under warranty or recall was a busted CV-joint. I replaced it and the axle for $169 (had free labor helping me).
Parts are expensive to fix when they break, but the drivetrain warranty is 5/60 for the Murano, so you really are paying for a two year extension. The other stuff would fall under the basic 3/36 warranty, so the question is how much sleep are you going to lose worrying about the A/C or rear view camera going on the blink if you decide to gamble and pick up the tab yourself.
You'll find plenty of posts where an extended warranty has saved someone big bucks. Some of us would rather keep the money somewhere earning interest and take our chances on repair bills.
You also seem to forget Carlos Ghosn's nickname: "le cost cutter". He's famous for it, and there's evidence in the Murano's interior, too (less obvious than it was a couple of years ago).
I love how you conveniently ignored the heaps of praise from the press I just quoted, more evidence of bias.
-juice
Most dealerships will let you take a vehicle home overnight without committing to a sale, so if you're agonizing over which one to pick see if they'll let you do that.
The Saturn dealer offered to let me take an Outlook home for the whole weekend. It's huge and roomy, but poor visibility and an uncomfy 2nd row made me rule it out.
-juice
I was merely responding to the trend that *you* started. So Motor Trend is important, and all the ones I mentioned aren't, eh?
Double standard much?
Face it, the Murano's interior looks dated next to the Tribeca's. I'm sure Nissan slapped on some aluminum when Ghosn decided that would cost less than redesigning it to give it some flow.
Noone knows cheap like Carlos "le cost cutter" Ghosn. He is the best in the entire automotive industry.
-juice
Difference is, Subaru was "trying" to move up market with the Tribeca, and decided that cheap switch gear was a step in the right direction.
Compare the CX-9, Veracruz, Pilot, Acadia, Outlook, Enclave and Freestyle
The only complaints that are common are fragile fog light covers and hatch struts that would not hold up the hatch in extreme cold. Lens covers have been replaced under warranty and the hatch strut design was revised completely. As usual for Subarus they've proven extremely reliable.
I didn't like the strategy of them trying to move upmarket, so that's one issue we agree with. Still, I hop inside a Tribeca and I feel richer than I am.
-juice
I also completely agree about the feel of the switches and gauges -- very cheap. And the styling? Well, if you're into sci-fi it's great, I guess.
Chris
The interior of the tribeca is actually very user friendly. It really needs a telescopic steering wheel though. Like most things that deviate from the established norm....some hate it and some love it.
I should have added that the colors and the leather in the Tribeca were very nice.
Chris
Yes, different strokes for different folks, but this vehicle takes too much bashing, especially from people who sit in it for a few minutes in showroom.
YMMV...Joe
-juice
My experience trying Tribeca on for size as well. Maybe Subaru has telescoping seats instead of a telescoping steering wheel, or there's a magic, hard-to-find "third" lever that makes the third seat disappear.
Face it. Seating in the first two rows is tight, and made worse by the swoopy center console that sits where the driver's right knee ought to go. Saying otherwise is misleading to others here.
As you said, "trying". Are you 6'1" or over and have you been driving it for a year? I don't have the driver's seat pushed all the way back and my knee has never hit the center console. And adults that sit behind me don't complain about the legroom.
Without real world (not showroom) experience, "saying otherwise is misleading to others here."
Or maybe you're like me and like driving with your left leg flat-footed, and you wind up hitting part of the door with your knee all the time in some cars (that bugs me in my Outback). My dead pedal is pristine.
You really do need to try them in the real world and sometimes it takes a couple of days to realize that you don't fit well in some seats.
I do think the parking brake could be in a better position, it's too close to the dead pedal. But I can see why they did that - more free space in the center console.
Went to the auto show yesterday here in DC and tried it on for size again. Some comments:
* move the 2nd row back 8" and there is plenty of leg room, even for a 6 footer to sit behind a 6 footer.
* there is foot space under the front seats, too. But only for two, due to the center hump
* the rear center seat is actually more comfy than most because the seat is 40/20/40 rather than just 40/60. Basically there is a seperate back rest, plus it folds independently for long items + 2 people in the back seat, a very unique feature.
I can see people complaining about the small 3rd row, but you can comfortably seat 5 adults unless they are 5 tall basketball players.
-juice
But I don't buy the "you get used to it" argument. If the space bugs you on a test drive, it will definitely bug you later.
Chris
I took my whole family to the Auto Show for what I called a "Test Fit". We sat in each candidate and each person gave it a pass/fail grade.
You have trouble finding shoes?
-juice
Exactly right. If you're uncomfortable after fifteen seconds, it's not going to get better after several hours.
Oh, I'm 6'5" with a 36" inseam. I can drive the Murano comfortably with the front seat at least three inches from its full rearmost position. I can sit behind myself easily. There's a huge difference in interior space in the first two rows of the Murano vs. the Tribeca. Believe it. And don't tell me about any more "levers" that will make it all go away.
OK, I'm rounding a bit here, but it just never happens.
-juice
-A bit cheaper than a comparable Pilot
-The 03 Pilot was the first year of the redesign. I bought a 95.5 Tacoma and there were lot's of issues - first year first grade
-Reliability of Toyota's AWD
-Gas milieage is a bit better in the Highlander
-Highlander felt more solid than the Pilot
Which, of course, is not the point at all. The point is: The Murano has much more room in the first and second rows. So, unless you need third row seating for someone with no legs, it's a more comfortable alternative.
Oh, my brother is 6'4". His older son is 6'4". His second son will be as tall in two or three years. Bro's daughter is 6'2". One of them might sit behind me on occasion. Size matters.
Subaru's layout allows you to slide it forward 8" to maximize cargo space. I'll argue here that many, many more families have kids in that back seat anyway. So it's a lot more versatile.
In a situation like yours, most people tend to take 2 cars.
In the situation I describe, i.e. 2 kids, well that's how a family transports itself daily.
So the Murano accomodates those 4 tall adults on the rare occasion that you need it (say once a year, realistically), while the Tribeca accomodates a family of 4 the other 364 days of the year, plus a lot more cargo, plus the option for your kids to take along 2 friends under the age of 10.
Score: Murano 1, Tribeca 364.
-juice