WITH many people complaining that vehicles look too generic, it is refreshing when a manufacturer risks designing a completely different vehicle. This was the 2005 Nissan Murano, a SUV that was unfortunately seen as too bold in design. The chrome grille and odd, 1950s-inspired taillights were just two styling features that polarised potential buyers – and most disliked it. The new, second-generation model has taken a more conservative approach, while still maintaining visual links with the original. Despite price rises due to escalating costs in the car industry, Nissan has taken a sharp knife to pricing and has made the new Murano a well-specified SUV wagon that makes all players in the luxury SUV segment look too expensive.