There's no better way to enjoy summer driving than by slipping behind the wheel of a convertible. For many of us with children, we're forced to watch child-free drivers soak up all the sexy convertible fun because many convertibles have backseats that are too small to fit the kids. As if able to peek into our parental pipedreams, Nissan designers have delivered a dazzling new solution with the 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet.

Families of four or fewer will delight in the roominess and the endless features the Murano CrossCabriolet provides.

In the summer, each errand becomes an adventure with the cloth-top down and the Bose premium audio system turned up. The CrossCabriolet's V-6 engine is just as giving, delivering 265 horsepower. That's enough to turn every green light into a shotgun start. Suddenly, Mom is cool. A scary notion to many a child, but that fear is quickly diminished with promises of endless Kidz Bop tunes provided Mom doesn't sing along. "The top is down; people can hear you!"

Come winter time, the Murano CrossCabriolet will show it's up to wintry tasks with its all-wheel drive. You'll be laughing at the meteorologist when you settle into the CrossCabriolet's standard heated leather seats.

While I was thrilled by all the fun the Murano CrossCabriolet provided and found it a perfect fit for the needs of my family, I did feel bad for people with more than two kids. This convertible only has four seats.

The CrossCabriolet is only available in one trim and its starting MSRP is $46,390, which also was the cost of my test car. It costs more than its Murano sibling, which tops out at $39,900.

• EXTERIOR
• SENSE AND STYLE
• INTERIOR
• IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
• SAFETY