First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

QUESTION 3: Is the Murano CrossCabriolet ideal for everyday use? If there's one thing that we appreciate in an everyday car, it's a solid, rattle-free interior -- and that's even more important in a convertible, whose structure is inherently weakened because it lacks a roof. With more cowl shake than a Ke$ha video, the Murano CrossCabriolet features a stunning lack of structural rigidity, the likes of which we haven't seen in years. We would have gladly forgiven an additional couple hundred pounds of weight gain from the CC if it came in the form of more structural reinforcements. At least the Murano's wiggly interior looks great, with soft, diagonally stitched ivory leather, matte aluminum trim, and glossy, blond wood. It seats only four -- one fewer than the Murano crossover -- and because it's a two-door, back-seat riders can't get in without first unsnapping the fabric ties that keep the front seatbelts within reach of the front passengers. Once you're seated in the rear, there's more than enough space, despite losing 3.6 inches of legroom, 8.0 inches of hip room, and 7.0 inches of shoulder room versus the regular Murano. The four-door's optional headrest LCD screens aren't available, but for entertainment purposes and an added dose of danger, the left-rear passenger can play with the driver's seat controls, which are located right on top of the seatback. They don't deactivate while the vehicle is moving, apparently because the lawyers were too busy neutering the navigation system and disabling the roof to notice. Answer: Yes, you could live with it every day, but the Murano CC's cabin is far shakier -- and no more usable -- than any other two-door's. QUESTION 4: Are you free to enjoy a day out at the country club with room for friends and gear? The quick answer is no, but rounding up some friends for happy hour and dinner seems like an appropriate substitution. Nissan says that the CrossCabriolet "resonates across gender lines." Kind of like Adam Lambert does? OK, sure! Destination: West Hollywood, a place that's accepting of screaming deviations in traditional gender roles and whose residents may be less apt to make fun of this particular Murano's disco-stick blue metallic pearl paint.