In its third year of production, the 2013 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet finds itself in a niche all its own: a 2-door sport utility vehicle that, with the flip of a switch, becomes a convertible. The only vehicles that are remotely similar to the all-wheel-drive Murano CrossCabriolet are the Jeep Wrangler and its larger sibling, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. However, it is much easier to turn the Murano CrossCabriolet into a convertible than it is to do so with the Wranglers. Nissan has made no changes to the Murano CrossCabriolet for 2013. Available in a single base trim, the 4-passenger Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is built with a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve direct-injected VQ35DE V6 engine that reaches 265 hp and makes 248 lb-ft of torque with the assistance of an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Filled with regular gasoline, the EPA estimates that the Murano CrossCabriolet with top out at 17 mpg city/22 highway. It has a cargo volume of 12.3 cubic feet. The 2013 Murano CrossCabriolet comes factory equipped with dual-zone automatic temperature control, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, power windows, power locks, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with position memory, leather-wrapped gear shift knob, push-button ignition, leather seating surfaces, 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, 4-way manual front passenger’s seat, heated front seats, 7-speaker digital Bose audio system with AM/FM/CD and subwoofer, MP3/WMA playback capability, information center with 7-inch color monitor, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, dual power heated exterior mirrors, power convertible soft top with glass window, HID bi-functional xenon projector headlights, LED taillights and 20-inch 5-split spoke aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires. A navigation package is also available, featuring Nissan’s hard-drive-based navigation system with 7-inch color touchscreen monitor and voice recognition. Standard safety features found on the 2013 Murano CrossCabriolet include Nissan’s advanced airbag system, which features driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, and front and rear passenger door-mounted curtain supplemental airbags, as well as an energy absorbing steering column, dual pop-up roll bars, 4-wheel vented disc brakes with an antilock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, vehicle dynamic control with a traction control system, rear-view monitor, fog lights and a tire pressure-monitoring system. A vehicle security system and Nissan’s vehicle immobilizer system are also standard. The 2013 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet just made its way to dealer’s showrooms, but 2012 model owners are generally positive. Current owners love the number of standard features available on the Murano CrossCabriolet and the versatility it provides. Some feel the crossover is slightly on the heavy side, which makes it somewhat sluggish in traffic, but feel it handles the open road extremely well. Almost all owners comment on how much fun the Murano CrossCabriolet is to drive. Being in a class by itself gives the 2013 Murano CrossCabriolet an edge some other vehicles don’t have. With its power convertible soft top that easily stores away, it’s extremely easy to switch from SUV to convertible on the go with the Murano CrossCabriolet. While not for everyone, the Murano CrossCabriolet does have something to offer a number of discerning, fun-loving drivers out there.