2010 Los Angeles Auto Show: Winners and Losers, SUVs, Crossovers and Minivans

The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show had so many new vehicles on display that we had to split our Winners & Losers story into two posts. First, editors David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder, Kelsey Mays and Mike Hanley weighed in on cars and convertibles. In this round, they take on SUVs, crossovers and minivans.

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Video

When we first heard rumors that Nissan was planning a Murano convertible, we checked our calendars to make sure it was April 1st. The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is real, and according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder, this crossover is a nice convertible. There’s a lot of legroom for both front and rear passengers, and headroom is good even with the top up. However, some factors, including cargo space, the sticker price and its looks, might be an inhibitor for some potential buyers.

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: Up Close

If you’ve never ridden in a huge convertible, you don’t know what you’re missing. And chances are, that means you don’t know what you’re missing because the era of truly large convertibles ended in the 1970s. (Calm down, Jeep Wrangler fans. We know the top comes off, but we’ll give the Wrangler its very own category.) Nissan hopes to change things with its 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet convertible crossover.

 More L.A. Auto Show Coverage

At first glance, the CrossCabriolet looks bizarre.

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: First Look

• Competes with: Ford Mustang convertible, Volvo C70 
• Looks like: A high-riding convertible 
• Drivetrain: 265-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, continuously variable automatic transmission 
• Hits dealerships: Early 2011 

Perhaps no car has been so oddly conceived as the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet since the Pontiac Aztek debuted. While the Aztek was aimed at a very specific niche of buyers, the CrossCabriolet looks to capture a larger audience searching for an almost practical luxury-priced convertible.

More L.A. Auto Show Coverage

If that’s you, the Murano CrossCabriolet is quite remarkable. It promises more room than a traditional convertible, so rear passengers can actually enjoy the open-air ride. If the elements don't allow it, the soft-top also features an added piece of glass for an open-air look.