Maybe it’s because I’m an obsessive weather watcher, but I find the XM NavWeather feature in Nissan vehicles such as the 2012 Murano SL very helpful. Sure, you can get weather reports and forecasts on the radio – between all those annoying commercials – and you can also get them on most smartphones.

But having it handy in the dash makes things a whole lot easier. And the system in the Murano has some car-specific features.

For example, you can access a color-coded Road Condition map that displays what kind of precipitation – ice, snow, floods and more – you can expect anywhere in the country. A Warnings Map shows where severe weather warnings have been posted across the country – everything from a high-wind warning to a tornado watch. And the system can be set up to give you audible weather warnings for your area. Of course, it will also give you reports and forecasts for your area and others.

Such info can come in handy when you’re driving in an unfamiliar area, as many people will be doing this Memorial Day weekend. But on the 2012 Murano, keeping up on the weather will cost you: XM NavWeather is part of the $1,850 navigation package. In that case, a smartphone application or two that gives you similar information may not be as convenient, but is much less expensive.