Styling Size-Up: Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept vs. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
We're having difficulty wrapping our heads around the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept or the fact that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet may have actually been the first in a trendy new segment. Are people really clamoring for expensive, bulky, all-wheel-drive crossover convertibles? While the Range Rover, whose photos leaked today remains a concept with slightly exaggerated visual cues, the crazy crossover convertible likely previews an upcoming production model. Though the production Range Rover Evoque convertible won't appear quite as eye-catching as the concept, do you think it will function as a more premium and attractive alternative to the 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet? Which would you rather be seen in or, in the similar niche-busting case of the BMW X6 and Acura ZDX, is the answer neither?
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From the front, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept is sleeker than the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, which has a complex front grille that could have come from nowhere but Nissan. Exaggerated wheel well arches further set apart the Range Rover from the Nissan. Range Rover's crossover convertible sports vents on the hood and below the base of the front windshield. In this case, we prefer the cleaner sheetmetal of the Nissan.
Overall, the simpler rear design of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept wins us over, but the production reality might not maintain the clean lines. On the Nissan, the chrome trim along the base of the side windows and shiny trim on the back of the convertible roll bars are neat touches, while the pulled forward taillights are reminiscent of the Nissan Z.
The thought of driving either the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept and 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet doesn't appeal to us, but if you had to look at one of these crossover convertibles in your garage, which would you choose? Tell us whether you like the design of either vehicle in the comments section below.
Last week, the 2013 GMC Acadia Denali was featured in Refreshing/Revolting.
"The upright truck-ish front end treatment looks more masculine, but not exactly stylish," wrote_E60_. "The wrap-around rear windshield is cool. Other than that, this car is still too bland to be considered 'refreshing'"
Dilbert Zwasn't as impressed by the new GMC Acadia: "Original styling was just fine. Now it looks like a panel truck."
Photos of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept are on the left while 2012Nissan Murano CrossCabrioletimages are on the right.
I’ve come a long way since I drove sugar packets across restaurant tables as a kid, pretending they were cars. With more than 17 years of experience, I'm passionate about demystifying the new car market for shoppers and enthusiasts. My expertise comes from thoughtfully reviewing countless vehicles across the automotive spectrum. The greatest thrill I get isn’t just from behind the wheel of an exotic car but from a well-executed car that’s affordable, entertaining, and well-made. Since about the time I learned to walk I’ve been fascinated by cars of all shapes and sizes, but it wasn’t until I struggled through a summer high school class at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design that I realized writing was my ticket into the automotive industry. My drive to high school was magical, taking me through a beautiful and winding canyon; I've never lost the excited feeling some 16-year-olds get when they first set out on the road. The automotive industry, singing, and writing have always been my passions, but because no one seeks a writer who sings about the automotive industry, I honed my writing and editing skills at UC Irvine (zot zot!), serving as an editor of the official campus newspaper and writing stories as a literary journalism major. At USC, I developed a much greater appreciation for broadcast journalists and became acquainted with copy editing rules such as why the Oxford comma is so important. Though my beloved 1996 Audi A4 didn’t survive my college years, my career with MotorTrend did. I started at the company in 2007 building articles for motorcycle magazines, soon transitioning to writing news posts for MotorTrend’s budding online department. I spent some valuable time in the copy editing department, as an online news director, and as a senior production editor. Today, MotorTrend keeps me busy as the Buyer's Guide Director. Not everyone has a career centered on one of their passions, and I remind myself all the time how lucky I am.
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