Spring is here, the weather is warming and there is more sunshine. It is a great time of year to have a convertible and get and enjoy it. When you think of new SUVs, convertible models don’t exactly come to mind. Sure there is the Jeep Wrangler, which has been offered in soft-top form for decades. But it is nice to have choices and finally there is another SUV convertible option.

Nissan has released the 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet. To become a convertible, Nissan had to significantly redesign the Murano. The front doors are 7.9 inches longer than other Murano trim lines to provide rear seat access and it has different structural integrity. The model has a hydraulic soft cover that comes in five different sections with an aluminum and magnesium frame. The top takes 27 seconds to open or retract. The CrossCabriolet comes standard with all-wheel drive and a skylight above the rear glass to allow for more light penetration when the retractable top is up.