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A closeup shows the wheel on a white 2021 Nissan Murano and it's reflection on a shiny floor.

How to Plan and Prepare for a Road Trip in Your 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Nissan Murano is rumored to be the last model released for the current generation. However, its sleek design and outstanding capability remain for the 2021 model year. We expect this incredible SUV will remain competitively priced and will garner a lot of attention once it is released, as its aggressive style and comfortable interior make it desirable among SUV fans. It doesn’t look like there’ll be many changes from last year’s model as there is no reason to mess with something that is already great. The Murano offers a well-balanced ride on the highway while boasting excellent off-road chops, making it the perfect vehicle for road trips.

The Power to Take You Anywhere

Like we said, the Nissan Murano is a powerful SUV with a single, yet effective, engine option. The 3.5-liter V6 cranks out a healthy dose of torque at 240 lb-ft and boasts an impressive 260 horsepower, which is plenty of gusto while traveling to your destination. In addition, the 2020 Murano offers decent gas mileage of 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, and with the same engine under the hood, we expect the 2021 model to have the same or better. This is perfect for road trippers, as you won’t have to stop to keep stopping just to fill up the tank.

Comfort and Infotainment Is a Road Trip Must

Like we stated earlier, the 2021 Nissan Murano is an excellent choice if you do a lot of traveling. In addition to the excellent powertrain, safety features, and good gas mileage, the Murano offers an interior that is spacious, up-to-date, and full of the tech features you want while speeding down the highway. Both rows of seats are roomy and comfortable, with a decent amount of cargo space for all of your belongings and necessities. The infotainment system offers an 8-inch touchscreen that is easy to operate and vivid. The sound quality is excellent – your road trip music mixes will never sound better – and Active Noise Cancellation means you don’t have to suffer outside noise interference.

But before you pack up your gear and head out on your road trip in your new Nissan Murano, there are plenty of things you need to consider. For example, you will want to pack a first aid kit just in case there is an emergency. And that’s not all. There are several steps you should take before heading out on the open road. Here are a few tips to ensure the perfect road trip in your 2021 Nissan Murano.

A family is shown in a 2021 Nissan Murano from the cargo area.

Don’t Set Tight Deadlines

One thing you can count on when taking a road trip is that you are almost certain to encounter delays, even with modern technology that maps out routes that aren’t under road construction. The last thing you want to do is plan a tight schedule and run into a problem, which might compel you to drive longer without taking a break or getting some sleep. Or, delays could make you miss plans altogether. No, keep your deadlines open so you can stretch out in your comfortable Murano seats and crank some music to pass the time in traffic without stress.

Of course, you should have a general plan when going on road trips in the Murano. Get together with your road trip team and plan out some sights you want to visit. Then, make use of the Nissan Door to Door Navigation app, displayed on the Murano’s touchscreen, to guide you to your destination.

Plan For Music

Any seasoned veteran of road trips knows that you simply cannot rely on the radio for music. While traveling through or near big cities and other densely-populated areas, there will be plenty of radio stations from which to choose. However, when driving through the vast nothingness of most of the country – we are talking about you, Kansas, Wyoming, and South Dakota – you will be lucky if you can catch half a dozen stations that come in clear enough to actually enjoy. Of course, out of the six radio stations that you can find, three are country-western stations, one is a religious station that plays no music, and the other is an NPR station offering up classical music in between news shows.

That’s where the Murano’s infotainment system comes in handy. Get satellite radio with a subscription to SiriusXM and have tons of radio stations at your fingertips. Thanks to features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can listen to all of your favorite tunes, playlists, music apps, and podcasts you have stored on your smartphone. Plus, with NissanConnect Services, you can program Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, so you don’t even have to take your hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road to play your favorite music through the amazing speaker system.

Mix Things Up

Sometimes, too much of a good thing can start to get boring. Just as driving down a long stretch of lonesome country road can get monotonous, you can run into problems driving along a stretch of road along the coast or through scenic mountains. Some people plan their road trips so that they take the most scenic routes, which can be a problem. For example, many scenic routes are out of the way and have lower speed limits, so you need to plan to be on the road for a longer period of time. Also, there is a good chance that at least one of your passengers might get car sick on the winding roads.

At the same time, you don’t want to drive the highway or interstate the entire trip. Road tripping is no fun unless there are sites to see. Your safest bet is to plan a road trip in which parts of it will be on busy and boring highways, and some parts will be through scenic areas on roads that are less traveled. Don’t worry; the Murano can handle both conditions in style.

A red 2021 Nissan Murano is shown from the side while driving at night.

Pack an Emergency Kit

The Nissan Murano is a reliable and dependable vehicle, but you could still wind up on the side of the road should you get a flat or suffer an emergency. Many times, it’s not a mechanical problem that gets you sidelined; it could be the weather or an accident. Make sure you are prepared for such an event by having a well-packed emergency kit.

Having a first aid kit in the vehicle is critical should there be a minor accident or other emergencies. You might make a restroom stop, and someone trips and cuts their hand, or any other type of injury could occur. Better to be safe than sorry while you’re out seeing new sights in places you’ve never been.

You should also have jumper cables in your Murano at all times, but especially on a road trip. You can’t just assume that somebody will stop to help you, and they happen to have a set. Another key item to pack is a flashlight or two. You also want to pack extra batteries. You don’t want to have to rely on your smartphone for light because they tend to run out of battery life when you need them most. Be prepared, and you’ll have a much better time during your travels.

The Perfect Road Trip Companion

We have no doubt that your road trip will be unforgettable, especially if you are taking it in the Nissan Murano. This SUV is stylish, comfortable, spacious, and packed with all of the technology you could possibly need to keep you on track and entertained. So, start planning and preparing now so that when you can get your hands on the 2021 Nissan Murano, you’ll be ready to travel wherever the road leads.