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I am looking at swapping my current vehicle for a slightly larger one. I have looked at a few options but these are my narrowed-down options:

*2013 Nissan Murano Ti 3.5
*2012 Toyota Aurion Soprtivo 3.5
*2010 Cadillac CTS 3.6
*2012 Ford Kuga 2.5 turbo.

Economy isn't an issue for me (mainly cos all those cars have better fuel economy than the car I currently have anyway), but I look more for ride comfort, smooth transmission and cos I commute between Matamata and Auckland or Matamata and Wanganui on a regular basis I like to have power on hills and windy roads as well as to pass other vehicles. I also want cruise control and at least a 5spd tiptronic which I understand all those cars have. So my question really is which will be more reliable, most comfortable and better value? I won't settle for an import only NZ New.

Well, this is certainly a wide range of vehicle types, with none really being a natural competitor with the other!
To address your transmission comment first, the Murano has a CVT and all the others are 6 speed. However, you've picked a list of vehicles, all of which have reputations for being thirsty. I note that you say you're not bothered by this, but thought it needs to be said.
So really, it depends on what your needs are. Bear in mind that the Kuga is the old model with the 5 cylinder Volvo engine, and the Cadillac was really a re-directed model to our market - not sold in any real numbers outside of the Waikato, where the local dealer retailed most of them.
So, in the popularity stakes, that leaves the Aurion and Murano. As it's an SUV, the Murano sold in good numbers and is a comfortable vehicle on the open road.
The Aurion has a lot of grunt off the line and is a comfortable cruiser.
So, ultimately, it's up to you as to which vehicle you prefer. Personally, as I said, I think all of these are a bit thirsty, but if I was pressed to choose one as a good all-rounder, it would probably be the Murano.

Yea I know it would have been hard to compare these as they are all totally different. But its more ride comfort and reliability I'm after. I have a 2005 Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 which is said to do 10.9l/100km. I saw the Aurion only does 9.1 and the Kuga does 10.5. I can't remember what the Cadillac CTS and Murano did.

What about comparing the Accord, Aurion and Maxima? All have 3.5l V6 engines and would be considerations for my choice.

Yes, the V6 Accord and Maxima would be competitors with the Aurion. It seems that you may be keener on a sedan than an SUV, in which case any of these three would be suitable, depending on which one you prefer personally. They'll all be in a similar ball-park when it comes to real-world fuel consumption, so I wouldn't get too hung up on manufacturers' claims within a relatively small margin of each other.
If this is the type of car you prefer, I think you're right to be considering these three mainstream Japanese models though.

I would prefer an SUV. The Murano and Kuga are the right size. I don't want anything like a Captiva or Highlander cos they seem to be big and impractical for me. I want a 5
or 6 cylinder engine and I'm happy to look into VW and Volvo vehicles like the Tourareg 3.6 and the XC60 3.2 but that will depend on price and mileage ratios. The Murano would be my preferred choice but I'd also like to stay under $30,000 and under 50,000km and I've found a few good NZ New 2008-2011 Maximas, Accords/Inspires and Aurions for under that price range.

The only 4 cylinder vehicle I'd consider is the 2.5l Nissan X-Trail with the tiptronic gearbox. I'm sure that would be more economical and powerful than my Grand Vitara. I think a review I watched online they said it had really nice suspension. I don't want suspension that's gona feel every bump...i believe that's sport suspension that does that?

OK, so forget about the Maximas, Accords, Aurions. Late model, low mileage Touaregs and XC60s will be out of your price range, so maybe you've answered your own question with the Murano.

The only 4 cylinder vehicle I'd consider is the 2.5l Nissan X-Trail with the tiptronic gearbox. I'm sure that would be more economical and powerful than my Grand Vitara. I think a review I watched online they said it had really nice suspension. I don't want suspension that's gona feel every bump...i believe that's sport suspension that does that