The All-New Murano Has Finally Landed! The Allure of the 2024 Model and the "Other Murano" You Didn't Know About

Today, March 17th, at a Nissan media preview in Tokyo, one vehicle stood head and shoulders above the rest. That's right, the Murano. Nearly two decades after it first went on sale in the Japanese market, what comes to mind when you hear that name? Most car enthusiasts will immediately picture that sleek, coupe-like SUV silhouette. But if you've been keeping an eye on Google Trends over the past few days, it's fascinating to see another "Murano" rising fast: the island of Murano in Venice, Italy, and the newly opened Hyatt Centric Murano Venice hotel. The thing is, this connection is more than just a coincidence; there's a deep bond tying these two together.

A Car Bearing Craftsmanship: The Essence of the New Murano

Let's start with the star of the show, the 2024 Nissan Murano. What grabbed my attention most with this update is the delicate, crystal-inspired interior detailing, reminiscent of "Murano glass." Like the glass artistry born on the Italian island, its texture shifts with the light, elevating it beyond mere mass production. The heart of the matter is the new-generation Variable Compression 'VC-Turbo' engine, replacing the old 3.5-litre V6. It delivers potent acceleration with astonishing quietness, making highway cruising worthy of the nickname "flying piece of glass art."

• ProPILOT 2.0: Hands-off driving on highways reaches new heights, dramatically reducing fatigue on long trips.
• Intelligent Rearview Mirror: Provides a crystal-clear view behind, no matter the weather.
• BOSE Personal Plus Sound System: Speakers built into the headrests deliver the kind of crisp, clear highs that might just evoke the scenery of Murano Island.

My impression behind the wheel? This car has a sort of "quiet ferocity" about it. It behaves like a demure lady around town, but hit a winding road, and its intelligent all-wheel-drive stability makes it feel like it's riding on rails. This is the true pinnacle of Nissan's crossover expertise, honed over many years.

The Other Murano Making Waves, from Venice

Now, let's circle back to the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice I mentioned earlier. This hotel is currently creating a stir among Europe's elite as "the ultimate Venetian hideaway." Housed in a renovated 15th-century noble's residence, its spaces blend modern luxury with traditional Murano glass design. As it happens, Nissan's design studio has visited the workshops on Murano Island numerous times over the years. It's an open secret among enthusiasts that the smooth curves on the first-generation Murano's exterior, and the playful patterns on its dashboard, were inspired by the artisans of that very island.

The name "Murano" wasn't chosen just because it sounds nice. The spirit of "fusing traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology" is something both the car and the hotel continue to share today. Just imagine flicking through the new Murano brochure while enjoying a drink in a Murano glass cocktail glass at the hotel bar. The thought of such an elegant getaway is enough to bring a smile to your face.

Why the Murano, and Why Now?

Look at the market, and there are countless SUV options out there. Yet the 2024 Nissan Murano is grabbing so much attention because it offers something beyond mere transport: the allure of a crafted object. In an era dominated by talk of autonomous driving and electrification, it's precisely this tangible quality—the textures you can feel, the design that captivates, the craftsmanship poured into the drive—that captivates people's hearts. At today's preview, attendees young and old alike were opening doors, running their fingers over the seat stitching, and peering into the engine bay.

Tonight, if the word "Murano" pops up as a trend on your phone, remember this: the stylish new SUV carving its way down Aussie roads and the quietly gleaming hotel on an island in the Adriatic Sea are connected by more than just a name. They're both a promise of an escape from the everyday.

So, next weekend, will you open the door of the new Murano at a dealer, or book a flight to visit the real Murano Island? Either choice is sure to add a richer dimension to your life.