Nissan has this week revealed more details on the all-new Murano soft-roader which is due in showrooms in February.
It is built on an all-new platform shared with the US-built Altima and Maxima models and Nissan says the biggest improvement is in the interior fit and finish and the quality of the materials.
So convinced is he of the cabin quality of the new model that Nissan Australia's general manager, Dan Thompson, likens it to that of the Lexus RX350.
"We're always setting the bar quite high," he says, naming the Lexus RX "since we don't have Infiniti (Nissan's luxury brand in the US) yet in the Australian market".
"That would be the type of premium positioning that Murano could hold, but once again we are not targeting Lexus and we are not going to position the vehicle there."
The engine and transmission are carried over from the current model, although the 3.5-litre V6 has slightly more power and torque and uses less fuel.
Mr Thompson would not confirm the new figures.
He says specification details, equipment levels and pricing will be revealed at the car's Australian launch in January.
The current model produces 172kW of power, 318Nm of torque and sips 12.3L/100km of premium (95RON) unleaded fuel.
Any improvements are expected to be minor.
The suspension is also carried over but has been reworked.
The new models will have more equipment available across the range, including factory-fitted satellite navigation, a rear camera, Bluetooth, driver's-seat memory, keyless start, leather trim, MP3 integration, a power tailgate, rear-seat flip and fold at the push of a button (this can also be done from the front seat) and a Bose audio system.It has not been decided what will be standard and what will be optional, although Mr Thompson did confirm all models will have leather trim.
Standard safety includes front, side and curtain airbags and stability control.
The Murano has a 1pc share of the mid-sized soft-roader market.
Nissan hopes the new model will increase that share to between 3pc and 4pc (about 200 sales a month).
Nissan sees the Toyota Kluger and the MazdaCX range as the Murano's rivals and says it will be priced accordingly.
The run-out Murano is advertised at $45,990 drive away for the ST model while the flagship Ti is $52,990 drive away.
Mr Thompson says the company is waiting until next year to see how much the Murano's rivals cost before locking in any figures for the new model.
"Price is always important," he says. "We will price it as a premium crossover.
"We think that the technology in the car will make a statement in the market, but it will be competitively priced.
"It is very important to cement its place in the market."
Currently, the Murano comes in three models - the ST, ST-L and the flagship Ti.
Mr Thompson says the company is trying to decide whether or not to continue with three equipment levels or bring in only two.
If it is the latter, it will most likely be an ST version and a Ti.He says the Murano - released in 2005 - did not sell as well as first hoped as many buyers were confused about what a crossover vehicle was.
"We didn't really explain to people what a cross-over SUV was," he says.
"We expected people to know. We just said it was an SUV and so people were going into a showroom expecting a vehicle like the Patrol."
But that won't be an issue with the new model. Mr Thompson says buyers are now aware of the concept.
Nearly every model in the mid-sized soft-roader class is available with the option of seven seats but Nissan defends its decision not to make it available on the new model.
"We don't see the Murano target buyer as someone who wants or needs seven seats," he says.
"If a buyer wants seven seats then we have the Pathfinder or the Patrol that offer a third row.
"Murano has a very specific purpose and position and I don't think we will ever see a seven-seat version.
"We see buyers of the new Murano as empty-nesters and young families. We don't believe that this vehicle will be a Kluger - that is a very traditional family SUV."
The new model "evolves" the Murano's bold looks.
"You'll either love it or you'll hate it," Mr Thompson says.
"We are not here to build cars to appeal to everybody."
There will be no diesel engine option.
"Diesel was discussed several years ago but globally there is not a diesel option for Murano."
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