Launched in Malaysia in March, the Nissan Serena e-Power is the latest iteration of an MPV that has graced Malaysian roads for nearly three decades. So the nameplate may need little introduction, but this new C28 generation brings with it a new series-hybrid powertrain. Called e-Power, the system debuted in Malaysia at the end of 2024 with the Kicks e-Power.
Unlike the previous C27 Serena S-Hybrid in Malaysia with its 2.0 litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, the C28 Serena e-Power uses a more road tax-friendly 1.4 litre three-cylinder engine just to charge a 1.77 kWh lithium-ion battery (which is interestingly even smaller than the Kicks’ 2.06 kWh). This battery then feeds a 163 PS/315 Nm electric motor to drive the front wheels.
With no connection between the ICE and the wheels, the Serena e-Power drives just like an EV – smooth, silent, instant torque – although like the Kicks e-Power, the engine revs do rise and fall to match your throttle position. This creates a natural feeling and is better than it staying constantly at a particular rev level, which we imagine would be fatiguing and irritating.
The first e-Power model to be locally-assembled (CKD) features Eco, Standard and Sport modes, and for those who like regen, B mode and e-Pedal mode. It has to be said that the difference in regen is not much between these two modes, and e-Pedal here does not offer true one-pedal driving as you still need to brake to fully stop the vehicle.
Elsewhere, SUV-based front suspension, a 20% more rigid stabiliser and a more rigid electric power steering system help make the Serena e-Power one of the nicer MPVs to drive in our market today, without trading off on comfort. Amongst a sea (many drive like boats) of Chinese MPVs, this really is a breath of fresh air.
Practicality and family-friendly features go without saying – 2-2-3 seating layout (no need to remove the middle-row child seats to let your in-laws enter the third row), fold-away tray tables, pull-up window blinds, hands-free power sliding doors (swing your foot beneath the B-pillar to open/close) and a tailgate whose glass part can be opened separately (so you can still fish things out if you’re parked too close to a wall or someone’s parked too close to you).
The variant you see here is the second-from-top RM175k Premium Highway Star. This has everything you would want – power doors on both sides instead of kerbside only, black Nappa leather, bigger screens, ACC, 360 cam – except for a power tailgate, which only the top RM180k Shiro has.
But the Shiro has white seats, which anyone with young kids would know not to touch with a bargepole. Oh well, can’t have ’em all. What are your thoughts on one of, if not the, cheapest MPVs with 2-2-3 seating (recon/grey-market Noah/Voxy/StepWGN aside) in Malaysia?
Nissan Serena e-Power
from RM154,800 
Nissan Kicks e-Power
from RM113,800 
Nissan Navara
from RM98,600 
Nissan Almera
from RM83,888 
Nissan Leaf
from RM168,888 
Nissan NV200
from RM79,800 
Enough juice to go uphill Genting?
Bukan sangkut halfway?
I agree its the best bang for buck now, for new tech at somewhat affordable prices below 200k. It can only get better if china mpvs come in below 200k
denza d9 is currently rm199k. choose that instead.
It’s nice to see more e-power Kicks on the roads these days, absolutely amazing Hybrid. Corolla Cross and HR-V are turds next to it, no comparison. Dont even try come to come back with lame a55 arguments lest you want to get shat in the mouth.
These days you can squeeze the dealership to get fat discounts on new Kicks but Serena will be different. People like the MPVs and e-power makes these even more awesome so discounts will be hard to come by on the Serena.
Haven’t seen this on the road yet. I own a C27 Serena and it is not a pleasant experience dealing with Tan Chong.
which begs the question, why dont more companies produce affordable MPVs with sliding doors ? not everyone needs the humongous sized GWM Wey or Zeekr 009 which costs RM300k .
I miss the Honda Freed and Toyota Sienta.
Agree..i can afford Alza AV at 75k, and willing to go up to 100k+. But the only captain seat with ADAS is Stargazer X at 122k. Forget about ADAS-less X90.
Other MPV with sliding doors are Voxy, Spada.
i wish it comes with the 8th seat like C26. If Singapore can get that config, why can’t Malaysia?
same price as a recon AH30 alphard vellfire… for RM180k, better ger recon
180k . you can get only get a low-spec 4-year-old vellfire with high mileage because been used as taxi
It’s not so bad,
It powering from 3 1400cc cylinder engine, cheap road tax, get the torsion Beam too, Front wheel drive.
max up to RM160k still can sell. More than that………….Nissan with common aircond issue!
Sure it’s a good buy?
That’s the problem with certain people…
Short sighted.