The 2012 Nissan Murano competes well in the arena Crossovers.

It has good looks, good quality interiors, powerful engine and good handling. The Murano is definitely a better choice for those who want an affordable midsize SUV.

The new Murano definitely gives great value for your money.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Crossover	Base Price: $29,960.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gallons (83L)	MPG: 18 city / 24 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 189.9 in. (482.3 cm)	Wheel Base: 111.2 in. (282.4 cm)
Height: 67 in. (170.1 cm)	Width: 74.1 in. (188.2 cm)
Curb Weight: 3841 lbs (1742 kg)	Ground Clearance: 7.4 in. (18.7 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 31.6 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 24 Valve V6 DOHC	Displacement: 3.5 Liter
Horsepower: 260 HP	Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 240 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	Transmission: Xtronic CVT
0-60 mph: 7.1 seconds	Max Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs (1587 kgs)

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Murano SV	MSRP: $33,530; MPG: 18 city / 24 hwy
Option:Murano SL	MSRP: $37,230; MPG: 18 city / 24 hwy
Option:Murano LE	MSRP: $38,960; MPG: 18 city / 24 hwy
Option:Murano CrossCabriolet	MSRP: $44,540; MPG: 17 city / 22 hwy

Engine

The 2012 Murano has a 3.5 liter V6 engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 240 lbs/ft of torque. Its convertible variant, the Nissan Cross Cabriolet adds 5 more horsepower and 8 more lbs/ft of torque. The engine is paired with a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT).

When you shift gears, the CVT matches the engine speed to the new gear, drawing optimum power. We love this clever feature because it does not just deliver power; it also makes the engine more fuel efficient.

Performance

With its powerful engine paired with a clever transmission system, the new Murano performs well in highway. With its handling, you will not have problems driving around the city either. You can even pass through back alleys where the turns are sharper – we give good credit to Nissan for making the SUV nimble enough for different road conditions.

According to the EPA, the front wheel drive Murano has a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg for highway and 18 mpg for city driving. This statistics is average in its class. The all-wheel drive model has the same consumption rate for city driving but it reduces the efficiency for highway driving by one (23 mpg).

The Murano is consistent during turns, it does not lose composure. And while other SUVs lean too much, the Murano does not, making it one of the best-handling in its class.

Exterior

The new Murano has a sharp and sporty look. We give good scores to Nissan for making the Murano unique. There are fewer lines and the curves are not as pronounced as with a Hyundai, but it exudes a different appeal that prospective owners will surely love.

Interior

A high quality interior is hard to find in affordable SUVs but Nissan seems to be so deep in the competition for them to go this far. In summary, the interior for the Murano is a perfect introduction to the luxury level.

The hardtop Murano can seat five persons and the Cross Cabriolet can seat four. Leather seats are standard in both models. There is adequate room for adult passengers and the seats are definitely comfortable.

The Murano is generous in providing head and legroom, one trait that is missing in some of its competitors. If you are a growing family or if you need to frequently carry adults for passengers, you will not have problems with the Murano.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2012 Murano 4 out of 5 stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Murano a “good” score in rear crash protection, side impact and frontal offset tests. It received a “marginal” score for the roof strength test.

The new Murano has plenty of safety features. These are the active head restraints in the front seat, dual-stage airbags, door-mounted side airbags and side air-bags for the front seats to name a few.

Reliability

The Murano comes with the standard 3-year limited warranty and a 5-year warranty for the powertrain.

Pros

The Nissan Murano has few flaws. It has good style, adequate engine, high quality cabin and excellent handling.

Cons

The Murano has less rear visibility and less cargo space.

Competition

The Ford Edge (MSRP $27,770; 19 city / 27 hwy), Honda Pilot (MSRP $28,620; 18 city / 25 hwy), and the Toyota Highlander (MSRP $29,395; 18 city / 24 hwy) are mid SUVs that are worth looking at as well.

Overall Rating
75 out of 100

What others say:

“It’s stylish and refined, but the 2012 Nissan Murano isn’t the most space-efficient crossover.”Car Connection

“Testers are divided on steering feel; some cite accurate response and others find it too light in any situation. Overall balance is just OK, as Murano feels wallowy and ponderous in even light-duty cornering; the convertible even more so. The brakes offer sure stopping control with good pedal feel.”Consumer Guide

“The pleasant and well-rounded Murano has a nice interior and a comfortable ride.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“If you’re looking for a crossover vehicle with plenty of space for people and cargo but that doesn’t look like a rolling bread box, the 2012 Nissan Murano CUV is the logical choice.”KBB

“High-quality cabin; spacious backseat; responsive powertrain; precise steering and confident handling; smooth ride; user-friendly controls. Less cargo space than many rivals; compromised rear visibility.”Edmunds

The 2012 Melkus RS2000 Black Edition will be as customized and limited in availability as any vehicle. The name represents the whole story in that there will only be five of these vehicles available in this color.

Exterior & Interior

The paint job is actually in a black piano lacquer for that incredible deep gloss effect that cannot be replicated in any other manor. The paint will have a depth of six layers, each individually sanded to bring out that familiar mirror type piano black finish.

The interior will be black with carbon components and the same intense black finish applied in certain areas for a constant flow in appearance.

Obviously there will be references to the name of this 5 of a kind vehicle in the stitch work.

The wing style doors when opened will give the impression that this sleek and sophisticated black bird is preparing for takeoff at high speeds for a nice visual when observing the lines and curves that shape the body.

Performance

When it comes to performance, you are looking at a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder engine that puts out an impressive 325 HP and actually will thrust this vehicle from 0 to 62 in 4.3 seconds, surpassing many others in the same class.

You can expect a top speed of roughly 168 MPH in large part due to the carbon body which reduces much of the weight for increased acceleration.

More on the Inside

The Black Edition is also going to include a full blown entertainment, navigational and informational center. The braking system is high performance and the vehicle overall will have an improvement in speed and handling compared to other versions of this model.

The 2012 Melkus RS2000 Black Edition is truly going to be a collector’s item once the production stage is complete and with only 5 being sold, you can be sure it will be a cherished possession by those fortunate enough to own one.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Coupe

Base Price: € 149,900.00

Performance

Engine: Twin Turbo 4-Cylinder	Displacement: 2.0 Liter
Horsepower: 325 HP	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds	Maximum Speed: 168 mph (270 km/h)

The 2012 Nissan Quest is a respectable minivan. If there is something that can hinder the new Quest from standing out, that is the stiff competition. It has good style for the exterior and the interior as well as a strong engine.

You may go home with another minivan but that does not mean that the Quest is not worth considering.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Minivan	Base Price: $25,990.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons (75L)	MPG: 19 city / 24 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 200.8 in. (510 cm)	Wheel Base: 118.1 in. (300 cm)
Height: 71.5 in. (181.6 cm)	Width: 77.6 in. (197.1 cm)
Curb Weight: 4371 lbs (1982 kg)	Ground Clearance: 6.2 in. (15.7 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 25.7 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 7 people

Performance

Engine: 24 Valve V6 DOHC	Displacement: 3.5 Liter
Horsepower: 260 HP	Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 240 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	Transmission: Xtronic CVT
Max Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs (1587 kgs)	Maximum Speed: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:SV	MSRP: $31,050; MPG: 19 city / 24 hwy
Option:SL	MSRP: $34,500; MPG: 19 city / 24 hwy
Option:LE	MSRP: $42,350; MPG: 19 city / 24 hwy

Engine

There is only one engine for the 2012 Nissan Quest and that is the 3.6 liter V6 engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 240 lbs/ft of torque. The Continuous Variable Transmission is the only available transmission for the Quest.

All trims are front wheel drive. The EPA is yet to release the fuel economy rating for the quest but available data from the 2011 model says that it has a rating of 24 mpg for highway and 19 mpg driving.

Performance

The new Quest accelerates well as long as you do not bring the pedal down to the floor. If you do, you will feel the engine protesting. And like any other front wheel drive model, putting the pedal down will drive the wheel sideways. Thanks to the adept handling of the van, this problem can be easily resolved.

The 2012 Quest may not be nimble enough for heavily twisted roads but its handling is adequate for driving around town. It is simple enough like most of other vans, one thing that van owners like very much. We can say that the new Quest is safe enough to get families to their destination.

Exterior

Designers at Nissan deserve a lot of credit for putting a lot of thought to the Quest’s design. If there is one thing that can make it shine in the competition, it is the sleek exterior.

Interior

The interior of the Quest is inviting and practical. The seats than can accommodate seven people are comfortable, full grown adults and children will never have problems about it. However, the cargo space is not as big as its competitors offer. The materials used for the interior are not of top quality.

Some materials that were used as fillings look and feel cheap. We would like to raise a concern about the optional center console because having it installed reduces the legroom in the front seat. Skipping it definitely makes the front seats more spacious
There are many options that prospective Quest owners can get such as the DVD system and the sunroof for the SL and LE trims. Other features that we like are the sunshades, blind spot warning system, navigation, and the driver seat memory (available only in the LE).

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Quest an “acceptable” score in test for the roof strength and a “good” score for the rear, side and front impact tests. The standard features in the Quest are six airbags, stability control and antilock brakes.

Another thing that we like in the Quest is the Easy Fill Tire Alert feature that gives a signal when you have filled the tire with the appropriate pressure. Too much and too less air pressure affects handling that is why it is good to have this feature for the Quest.

Reliability

The Quest comes with the standard 3-year warranty and the 5-year warranty for the powertrain.

Pros & Cons

The 2012 Quest got power and style. It has comfortable seats too.

There is no adequate space for storage inside the Quest. Other minivans offer a maximum sitting capacity of 8, the Quest can only give 7.

The 2012 Nissan Quest has plenty of strengths but it has numerous weaknesses, too, and those could make you choose another minivan.

Competition

The Chrysler Town & Country (MSRP $29,995; 17 city / 25 hwy), Honda Odyssey (MSRP $28,375; 18 city / 27 hwy), and the Toyota Sienna (MSRP $26,300; 18 city / 25 hwy) are the other members of the minivan club that may be worth looking at as well.

Overall Rating
76 out of 100

What others say:

“It’s less spacious and less flexible than before, but the 2012 Nissan Quest drives better than other minivans.”Car Connection

“Steering is responsive and has a solid, weighted feel. Body lean in corners is fairly pronounced. Braking action is firm and smooth.”Consumer Guide

“But the Quest seats only seven at most, not eight. Its covered cargo bay behind the third-row seat can hide luggage, an uncommon feature in a minivan.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“If the majority of your driving time is spent zipping around town picking up kids and running errands, the 2012 Nissan Quest’s 19-mpg city rating will definitely help keep fuel costs down. Those looking for a premium interior uncommon in a minivan will love what Nissan has done with the Quest’s cabin.
”KBB

“Quiet and smooth ride; roomy seating; excellent continuously variable transmission (CVT); sharp steering and handling; fold-flat second-row seats. Less cargo space than competitors; seven-passenger maximum, not eight; short on interior storage.”Edmunds

The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT is perfect for anyone that wishes to own a low priced high performance yet stylish street machine.

Performance

The 265 HP output from a 3.8 liter V6 will not disappoint anyone. This vehicle offers several accessories including the soft top, LED dash illumination and a massive 650 watt stereo system that will keep the entire neighborhood partying all night.

Exterior

The exterior is similar to what you would expect from any other Eclipse, meaning it is appealing and a real eye catcher. This is simply a great choice for anyone that wants a bit more in their street racer than the price represents. Add in the standard 18 inch wheels and all of your desires have been met by the manufacturer.

One aspect of the vehicle that few think about is that despite its appearance and performance it is also a great touring class car. There have been several enhancements to reinforce the suspension for less sway and curb hugging safety.

Interior

The interior is quiet when it comes to external sounds making their way into the cab and the seats are comfortable ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable road trip at all times. Bucket seats, heated mirrors and LED tail lamps are standard features adorning this vehicle.

Safety

Another thing that is extremely important to Mitsubishi is their position on building some of the safest vehicles on the road and this is certainly no different. You are assured the only the best performance in braking with the ABS system that is backed up with Electronic Brake-force Distribution.

You can rest assured in knowing you have traction control and stability control for those sharp turns and inclement weather. The bottom line is that the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT is a great buy that offers luxury, speed and safety at a phenomenal price.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Convertible	Base Price: $32,599.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.7 gallons (67 liters)	Miles Per Gallon: 16 city / 24 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 180.4 in. (458.2 cm)	Wheel Base: 101.4 in. (257.5 cm)
Height: 54.1 in. (137.4 cm)	Width: 72.2 in. (183.4 cm)
Curb Weight: 3763 lbs (1707 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 5.2 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 4 people

Performance

Engine: 24-valve MIVEC SOHC V6	Displacement: 3.8 Liter
Horsepower: 265 HP	Max RPM: 5750 RPM
Torque: 262 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic

The 2012 TechArt Porsche 911 is an incredible looking machine when compared to other packaged versions of this model.

The TechArt program has opened the door for Porsche to maintain its classic appearance while altering it enough to satisfy those that desired a drastic visual change and those that preferred the standard design.

Aero Wings

The front three piece spoiler adds a feel of toughness to an extremely eloquent shape while the rear spoiler just says this vehicle can move while keeping the cars lines smooth and attractive.

This 911 has side skirts and Aero Wings that appear almost artistic in their placement while still representing the body style that Porsche is known for.

Trim panels accentuate many of the exterior components and aids in making this vehicle stand apart from others in the line.

Interior

The vehicle has an intense yellow finish with a beautiful black interior that was so common during the muscle car era. There are several color combinations available however this will certainly be the most popular.

You can look forward to the carbon fiber throughout the interior and masterful crafting in the upholstery with stitching and color coordination that few can match.

Performance

The TechArt exhaust system gives us oval tubes and a valve control system to increase overall performance and reliability. There is a choice of 20 or 21 inch wheels that are true TechArt and as impressive as they are visually they are lighter thus improving performance while driving based on a reduction in mass.

Truth be told, you are looking at a Porsche 911 with a package that simply amplifies the beauty and performance that the vehicle is known for. The 2012 TechArt Porsche 911 is a masterpiece artistically and between its abilities and flash of lightning appearance, it will become the choice of the 911 community.