With stylish exterior shapes and a comfortable cabin that accommodates five passengers, the mid-size Murano is a fun-to-drive vehicle that looks like an SUV but acts more like an enthusiastic sports car.

Like the SUV, Murano shows a wagon's format with five seats and four doors for passengers plus a liftgate in back for access to the cargo bay. But like a sports sedan, Murano rides on the front-wheel-drive (FWD) chassis of a car. The platform, which also underpins Nissan's Altima and Maxima sedans, supports the 111-inch wheelbase and a wide track of 64.2 inches up front and 64.0 in back.

Pushing wheels to edges of the chassis brings stability to the stance and enhances Murano's agility when cornering. A vented disc brake stands at every wheel and all tie by computerized links to ABS with brake assist (BA) and EBD. Murano also offers high-tech hardware such as VDC with TCS and Nissan's AWD equipment for dependable grip on slippery pavement.

For locomotion Nissan pulls out the Altima's juicy dual-cam 3.5-liter V6. Output reaches to 245 hp through an advanced CVT that Nissan calls Xtronic. The 2004 SE model brings a new manual shift mode for the CVT. Also new are Sunroof and Touring packages, plus a standard ten-way power driver's seat with power lumber controls.

Consider Nissan's five-door Xterra SUV for the compact class and rugged enough for serious off-road play, but also an affordable pavement cruiser.

It provides seats for five in a wagon's boxy format but can also haul lifestyle sports paraphernalia - such as mountain bikes, camping gear, skis or kayaks strapped to a slick roof rack. Sports equipment kits and mounts both inside and out for bikes and boats and skis show up on the list of optional equipment, while the tubular aluminum roof rack has a removable mesh basket for cradling soft equipment like diving gear or soggy ski boots and suits.

Xterra uses either the four-cylinder or V6 engine out of Frontier - including a supercharged V6 option - and provides rear 2WD or 4WD traction. The 4WD mechanism has a two-speed transfer case with high and low ranges for off-road trekking. Base engine - a twin-cam 2.4-liter four-in-line - reaches 143 hp and mates with manual or automatic shifters, while the optional 3.3-liter V6 runs to 180 hp. Then a supercharged variation on XE or SE surges to 210 hp.

For 2004, a Rockford Fosgate audio system at 300 watts is the new standard on SE but optional for XE V6. New gear clustered in optional packages include a Dynamic Control Package, SE Rugged Leather Package and Curtain Side Impact Supplemental Air Bag Package. Also, there are two unique new exterior color choices with Silver Lightning and Thermal Red.

Nissan's mid-size SUV romps, thanks to a souped-up engine. The aluminum twin-cam 3.5-liter V6 produces 250 hp when teamed with a manual transmission, or 240 hp with an automatic. Pathfinder offers rear 2WD or a part-time 4WD traction. The 4WD device uses a transfer case for switching from rear-wheel to four-wheel high-gear while underway at speeds up to 50 mph.

Pathfinder's exterior package presents bold and athletic sheetmetal contours prefaced by a high hood and chin-forward face. Side panels are scored by rolled shoulders and low cladding, forming strong horizontal lines near the ground between flared wheelwells.

Cabin layout applies twin torso-sculptured front bucket seats and a rear bench for three with seatback split in 60-40 ratio to expand the rear cargo area. Pathfinder's deluxe LE edition switches names to become the Platinum Edition rigged with electroluminescent gauges, aluminum kick plates and dark wood trim plus an optional platinum-tinged paint job.

Nissan's redesigned minivan comes from a family of nimble performance machines and rides on the FWD chassis of a car. The platform, which also underpins Nissan's Altima sedan and Murano SUV, supports a long 124-inch wheelbase and a wide wheel track of 67.3 inches.

In the cabin, bucket seats on the second tier and the third row bench will flip and fold in seconds to form a flat floor for hauling a load of cargo.

A sliding slab door on either side shows the widest portal in this minivan's segment. It's at least four inches longer than side doors on other minivans. The broad opening translates to ease of entry when you have to climb in or out of those rear seats, plus each seat on the second row tips forward in a one-hand move so it slips out of the way quickly to reach the third bench. And that third row is a seat designed to carry not just tyke-sized people but two adults in comfort, with generous room for heads and shoulders, even long legs.

With all seats standing, Quest still has cargo room at the rear, including a well in the floor so you can stack the cargo and access it from a top-hinged back gate.

Design of the dash is unlike any other vehicle. Picture a canted counter interrupted by an oval column jutting up from the floor and forming a center pod to house big round control dials for audio and climate systems plus, on the left side, the shifter stick of an automatic transmission. Above that oval column, a horizontal window in the center of the dashboard contains the car's analog instruments and an information display screen or optional DVD-based navigation system with color screen.

The optional Skyview roof consists of a series of four glass roof panels above second and third row seats. Add the broad sunroof over front seats and you end up with a roof that's more clear windows that solid ceiling.

Quest gets Altima's dual-cam 3.5-liter V6 worth 240 hp. The engine links to a four-speed or five-speed electronically-controlled automatic transaxle, the latter reserved for Quest's top trim. Gear increases up the Quest model ladder with three well-equipped versions - Quest 3.5 S, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE. Standard on all are curtain-style air bags above side windows for three rows of seats. Side-impact air bags are also available but included on the 3.5 SE.

Options extend from leather upholstery to dual zone automatic temperature controls up front and rear heating and air conditioning, power front windows with one-touch auto up/down, and a rear sonar-based parking aid system. A DVD-driven entertainment system has one or two ceiling-mounted video screens.

Read our Review: Nissan Quest