Nissan Murano named one of WardsAuto World's "10 Best Interiors" of 2015

Nearly a year after it was officially unveiled, good news continues to roll in for the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano. WardsAuto World named the Murano to its annual "Ward's 10 Best Interiors" list for 2015. The Murano will be honored at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference on Wednesday, May 13, at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

To select "Ward's 10 Best Interiors," editors spent two months evaluating 42 vehicles during their routine commutes in and around metro Detroit. Editors then submitted score sheets ranking the entries on features such as ergonomics, driver information, fit-and-finish, materials, value, safety, comfort and design harmony.

"First time I saw the new Murano interior, I was blown away by the pearlescent film that's used to lovely effect on the doors, instrument panel, center console and armrest," said Tom Murphy, executive editor,WardsAuto World. "The rest of the interior is brilliantly executed as well, from the smooth, flowing lines of the instrument panel to the ample cargo hold. Beige interiors often are perceived as boring, but this one is stylish and contemporary while achieving a serenity uncommon among midsize CUVs."

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 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.

"The 2015 Murano has been a great success for Nissan on many levels," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. "We are truly honored to receive this recognition from WardsAuto."

Premium features and driver assistance technologies abound in the 2015 Murano, including available NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch color display with multi-touch control, rear USB port with smartphone interface, 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), Driver Attention Alert (DAA)* 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).

For two weeks beginning April 27, the Murano and other winners will be profiled on WardsAuto.com. To view the complete "Ward's 10 Best Interiors" list, please visit http://wardsauto.com/2015-wards-10-best-interiors

Nissan Driver Attention Alert helps combat drowsy driving with innovative system

  Nissan is highlighting the fact that its new Driver Attention Alert (DAA) system is available on two of its most attention-getting vehicles – the 2015 Nissan Murano crossover and the upcoming 2016 Nissan Maxima sedan.

The issue of drowsy and inattentive driving has been the subject of recent studies by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) and AAA* (formerly the American Automobile Association). Results of a November 2014 AAA survey, for example, suggest that drowsy drivers are involved in approximately 300,000 crashes each year – 6,400 of them fatal.

Nissan's Driver Attention Alert system, which is standard in the 2015 Murano SL and Platinum grades and the 2016 Maxima Platinum, is intended to address potential driver fatigue and inattention. The system adapts to each individual driver, monitoring steering input patterns (using steering angle sensors) during a period of driving to establish a baseline. It continuously compares subsequent driving patterns to a baseline using a statistical analysis of steering correction errors.

If it detects driving behavior consistent with a drowsy driver, the system uses an audible chime sound and displays an amber coffee cup with a message reading, "Take a break?" in the vehicle's information display.

The DAA includes logic to help address false detection, road curvatures, lane changes, braking and even poor road conditions. The system automatically resets when the engine is turned off. It can also be turned off by the driver if desired. It is the driver's responsibility to remain alert at all times. DAA is only a warning to inform the driver of a potential lack of driver attention or drowsiness. It does not detect and provide an alert in every situation.

The totally redesigned 2016 Nissan Maxima is on public display this week at the New York International Auto Show at New York's Jacob Javits Center. It is scheduled to go on sale this summer. The new 2015 Nissan Murano is available now at Nissan dealers nationwide.

Along with the Maxima and Murano's suites of available safety and driving aids, both stand out from other vehicles in their respective segments due to their futuristic styling – featuring new Nissan signature design language including V-Motion front end, boomerang lighting and unique floating roof appearance.

Full information and photos of the 2016 Nissan Maxima and 2015 Murano are available atwww.NissanNews.com.