THE introduction of the Nissan Murano was a good idea at the time - but that was several years ago in what is now a very different world.
America loved SUVs and by their excessive standards the Murano was of almost compact proportions with a relatively frugal engine.
In comparison to their burbling gas-guzzling V8s of anything up to six-litres beneath bonnets of vehicles as large as the average British house, the Murano was verging upon being the epitome of political correctness.
What has happened since is not that the Murano has worsened in any way but simply that politicians have forced upon us a new set of values that we could never have envisaged just a couple of years ago.
All of a sudden we have to sign up to an obsession with emissions from car exhausts, as though global warming has nothing to do with aeroplanes, factories or the disappearance of rain forests.
Only certain types of vehicles are deemed socially acceptable by the green lobby who have become so powerful that they can even force upon us a new national speed limit of 50mph without us being able to do a thing about it, apparently.
It is in the midst of this that Nissan continues to offer its Murano with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and no sign of the desperately-needed diesel option in the immediate future.
The vehicle has just been face-lifted but this all-important improvement is not included in the changes so it soldiers on with a CO2 figure of 261g/km, which burdens it with a maximum 35 per cent company car tax liability.
Economy at 26mpg compares to 42mpg for the rival Audi Q5 with a turbodiesel engine and the Murano's price tag is pretty hefty at £32,145.
Factors in its favour are the roominess of the large five-door body, the completeness of the equipment and trim level, which now includes leather upholstery, satellite navigation, twin sunroofs, electric operation of the driver's seat with memory and a sophisticated sound system courtesy of Bose and a dozen speakers.
The rear seats can be folded flat in a single movement to create a huge cargo space and there is plenty of power to lug a trailer or caravan.
The engine is smooth and refined, which when coupled to an automatic continuously variable transmission system makes the driving process effortless.
Comfort and road holding are good and there is the reassurance of Nissan's renowned reliability.
Unfortunately customers are very savvy these days and they know what else is on the market for the same money or less, so those who are interested will expect a hefty discount off the sticker price.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Murano
Price: £32,145
Mechanical: 252bhp, 3,498cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via automatic gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 8.1 secs
Combined mpg: 25.9
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 261g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles