The Striking Uniqueness Of A Murano Convertible
Photo Source/Copyright: NISSAN USA
Have you ever wondered if an SUV could actually deliver a liberating, open-air driving experience? Nissan proved it was possible; the Nissan Murano convertible was a real production vehicle, sold as the Murano CrossCabriolet from 2011 to 2014, though it is no longer built today. This bold experiment merged a midsize crossover with a drop-top, creating something the market had never seen. The result was polarizing, unforgettable, and ultimately short-lived.
Curious what Nissan offers now? Explore our current SUV lineup for practical, modern options.
What Was the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?
Picture a sensible family crossover with its roof removed. Essentially, that is what Nissan created with the Murano CrossCabriolet. Built on the second-generation Murano platform, it featured a power-retractable soft-top with a rear glass window, along with dual pop-up roll bars engineered for safety.
Drivers kept the elevated seating and commanding view of a standard Murano while gaining true open-air motoring. Inside, woodgrain accents and plush, heated front seats reinforced its upscale, comfort-first character. Billed as the world’s first all-wheel-drive convertible crossover, it stood alone in a category no other automaker had attempted. Here are the essentials:
- Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
- Output: 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque
- Transmission: Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- Drivetrain: Standard all-wheel drive
- Body: Two-door, four-passenger
- Wheels: Standard 20-inch
- Trim: Single, fully-loaded trim
Why Nissan Built a Convertible SUV
Nissan spotted a gap nobody else had filled. No major automaker offered a convertible in the crossover segment, which would have given it a first-mover advantage. Crossover popularity was rising while traditional convertible sales were slipping, and Nissan wagered that blending the two could capture buyers from both camps.
The pitch was year-round usefulness paired with open-air fun, aimed at affluent, style-conscious shoppers rather than families hauling kids and groceries. The company positioned it as a second or third vehicle, a lifestyle statement built on exclusivity. The concept reportedly began close to home: then-CEO Carlos Ghosn is said to have greenlit the project after his wife, Rita Kordahi, wanted open-air driving in her own Murano.
CrossCabriolet Milestones
The CrossCabriolet’s story played out over a brief span, from auto-show reveal to quiet retirement:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show |
| 2011 | Production begins; reaches U.S. showrooms |
| 2014 | Final model year; discontinued with no successor |
In all, it spent just four model years on sale before Nissan ended the experiment without a direct replacement, closing the book on Nissan’s convertible-crossover experiment.
Why the Murano Convertible Was Discontinued
For all its ambition, the CrossCabriolet faced obstacles it could never overcome. Several factors sealed its fate:
- Narrow niche demand from the outset
- Premium price against a mainstream badge
- Two-door layout complicated rear-seat access
- Folding the soft-top sharply reduced cargo space
- Less structural rigidity than the standard Murano
- Not enough volume to justify continued updates
Reportedly, fewer than 6,000 were built across the entire production run, a tiny figure that underscored how narrow the audience truly was. It also asked buyers to spend up for a Nissan in a bracket crowded with established prestige-brand alternatives.
As the vehicle aged with minimal updates, sluggish sales gave Nissan little reason to keep investing, and the company eventually redirected resources toward mainstream models with far broader appeal. The convertible crossover had proven an innovative idea, but innovation alone couldn’t sustain a business case.
Can You Still Buy a Murano Convertible?
Since production ended, the Murano convertible is available only on the used market. There are no new CrossCabriolet models to order, and inventory depends entirely on what turns up secondhand. Relatively few were built, so that clean examples can be scarce, and condition varies widely from one car to the next.
However, if you have your heart set on this one-of-a-kind drop-top, patience and a thorough inspection before buying help. Our team can help you search for available pre-owned options, weigh whether a CrossCabriolet fits your needs, or point you toward a newer alternative.
Explore Today’s Nissan SUVs
Although the CrossCabriolet remains a fascinating footnote, today’s Nissan SUV lineup delivers the versatility it never quite managed. The current Murano offers modern style and technology, the compact Rogue balances efficiency and space, and the three-row Pathfinder adds room for the whole family.
Explore our lineup and find the crossover that fits your life. Browse our inventory or contact our team to get started today.
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