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Every now and then, some vehicles come along that defy all logic or reason. And I don't mean in a good way. The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is one of them. There's really nothing to compare it to. If Nissan's intent was to create a "segment-buster," it certainly succeeded. But why? And for what? You could make a very (emphasis on VERY) tenuous stretch to say that this could be considered a Jeep Wrangler competitor. Now, before you get your noose and stones ready to execute me for heresy, let me make my case. Granted, it doesn't look like this vehicle could go much further off-road than a gravel country driveway. Forget about Moab or the Rubicon. Not gonna happen. But...we've all seen the high school cheerleaders, and their slightly older counterparts, sorority girls, driving around in Jeep Wranglers. Think they go off-roading much? Maybe some do, but most don't.
 But once again, the Murano is missing one of the key components that makes the Wrangler so popular with attractive young women. Its removable doors. They spent thousands of dollars on laser hair removal treatment on their legs, and hundreds more on those high-heel sandals, pedicure and mini-skirt. How are you supposed to show them off in the Murano? Other than truckers and guys driving lifted trucks, you're not. Wrangler? Just pop the doors off, and cruise around in all your laser-depilatoried glory.
The closest thing I can think of to this is the Suzuki X90. This oddball Sidekick-based "roadster" was also the answer to a question nobody asked, but at least it had a proper low-range, and some pretense at off-road capability. The Murano CC is about twice the size with 1/10th the off-road capability.
What Nissan could have done that would have gotten an instant thumbs-up from me, is a shortened, soft-top 2-door based on the Xterra. Now THAT's something I could have gotten behind. This? Not so much. What are your thoughts?
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