New Nissan Serena e-POWER Refined Family MPV Review

Does the family MPV still hold its ground in an SUV-dominated market, or can it truly evolve to meet the multifaceted demands of modern Malaysian families without compromise? For years, the MPV segment often prioritized sheer practicality, sometimes at the expense of refinement and driving pleasure. But what if a vehicle could seamlessly blend expansive comfort, revolutionary efficiency, and an EV-like driving experience, all while preserving the beloved versatility of a true people mover? This isn't just a wishful thought; it's the bold declaration made by the All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER.

In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into how Nissan has masterfully reimagined its iconic Serena for its sixth generation (C28), directly addressing previous limitations and setting an entirely new standard for mainstream MPVs. Get ready to Discover our English Reviews of the new Nissan Serena e-POWER. See why this Nissan Malaysia family MPV is refined for modern families. Get insights now! We will explore its groundbreaking e-POWER hybrid system, its sharpened design, an interior engineered for unparalleled adaptability, and a suite of advanced safety features that redefine peace of mind for parents on the go.

The Serena C28: A Modern Chapter for a Family Favourite

The Nissan Serena has long been a familiar and trusted sight on Malaysian roads, a loyal companion for families prioritizing spacious, practical, and fuss-free transport. The C28 arrives at a crucial juncture, responding to buyers' increasing demands for greater refinement, superior efficiency, and modern technology—all without sacrificing everyday practicality. This isn't a mere cosmetic refresh; it's a profound re-engineering. Nissan has focused on delivering an experience that blends EV-like smoothness with the convenience of a conventional petrol vehicle, while directly confronting traditional MPV challenges such as noise, ride comfort, and passenger motion sickness.

Design Evolution: Contemporary Polish Meets Timeless Utility

The Serena C28 wisely maintains its signature boxy MPV silhouette, a design choice fundamental to ensuring excellent interior space and comfortable, upright seating across all three rows. However, a closer look reveals a distinctly modern and polished aesthetic. The front fascia integrates Nissan's latest V-Motion grille, now wider and seamlessly connected with slim LED headlamps, projecting a premium and cohesive image. Functional vertical air inserts on the front bumper subtly manage airflow, reducing body movement and contributing to improved passenger comfort – a thoughtful detail for family journeys.

From the side, the tall glasshouse and stepped window line persist, guaranteeing excellent outward visibility. Slimmer pillars and a lower window sill create an airy cabin, ensuring even third-row occupants feel connected. New 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels add contemporary flair without compromising ride quality. The rear design, while subtle, is effective, featuring vertical LED taillights with distinctive boomerang light signatures and discreet e-POWER badging. The practical split tailgate opening—a Serena hallmark—remains, offering unmatched convenience for loading cargo in tight urban spaces. Dimensionally, the Serena C28 measures 4,765 mm long, 1,715 mm wide, and 1,870 mm tall, with a 2,870 mm wheelbase. Its slightly increased height benefits headroom and ease of entry, proving agile enough for city driving yet offering the substantial interior volume expected of a full-fledged family MPV.

Inside the Serena: A Sanctuary of Comfort and Unrivalled Flexibility

Step into the All-New Serena C28, and the immediate impression is one of significantly elevated quality and thoughtful technology. The dashboard adopts a cleaner, horizontal layout, dominated by dual 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, eliminating cable clutter and enhancing seamless connectivity. A button-style electronic gear selector ingeniously frees up valuable centre console space, while a dedicated climate control panel ensures essential functions are always within easy reach. Material upgrades are evident, with black Nappa combination leather upholstery lending a genuinely upmarket feel.

Flexibility remains a Serena strong suit. The three-row cabin offers up to 13 seating configurations, allowing effortless adaptation for passenger or cargo needs. A practical walk-through layout between the front seats improves accessibility, while the second row features independently sliding and reclining captain's chairs for limousine-like comfort. Rear passengers are thoughtfully catered for with a 14-inch fold-down entertainment screen, individual air-conditioning vents for each row, fold-out tray tables with cup holders, and ample USB charging ports. Hands-free dual power sliding doors further amplify everyday convenience, a boon for families juggling children or groceries. While powered front seats or a powered tailgate might be absent, the Serena compensates with family-oriented touches that truly matter in daily use.

e-POWER: Electrified Driving Without the Charging Hassle

The standout feature of the Serena C28 is its second-generation e-POWER hybrid system. This revolutionary setup drives the vehicle *exclusively* via an electric motor, delivering the instant torque and seamless acceleration characteristic of a battery electric vehicle. The crucial difference: there's no need to plug in. Power comes from a 163PS, 315Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. A 1.4-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine acts purely as a generator, efficiently charging a 1.769 kWh lithium-ion battery or supplying electricity directly to the motor. Nissan's Mirror Bore Coating technology ensures optimal engine efficiency.

The outcome is an EV-like driving experience devoid of range anxiety. Nissan claims impressive fuel consumption of 18.5 km per litre (NEDC cycle), translating to a potential driving range of up to 1,000km on a full tank. In urban driving, the Serena is remarkably smooth and refined; the engine often remains dormant at low speeds, allowing silent gliding through traffic. The e-Pedal mode further enhances city driving, offering near single-pedal operation that significantly reduces driver fatigue in stop-and-go situations. This refined system truly elevates the Serena as a sophisticated and efficient choice for Malaysian families.

Confident & Comfortable: On the Road with the Serena e-POWER

The Serena e-POWER continues to impress on the open road. During highway cruising, the petrol engine engages smoothly and unobtrusively. Even on steep gradients like the KL–Karak Expressway, the Serena maintains steady progress without strain. Ride comfort has been a key focus, with Nissan introducing a newly developed SUV-based front suspension, upgraded electric power steering, enhanced brake control, and extensive cabin sound insulation. An acoustic windscreen further minimizes wind noise. These changes deliver a noticeably calmer and more composed driving experience, with well-controlled noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels. Anti-motion sickness technologies, including aerodynamic refinements and chassis tuning, significantly benefit rear passengers. While its tall, boxy nature means aggressive high-speed cornering will remind you it's an MPV, driven sensibly, it offers stable, reassuring, and exceptionally comfortable long-distance cruising.

Advanced Safety & Assistance for Family Journeys

Safety is paramount for any family vehicle, and the Serena C28 makes significant strides with Nissan's ProPILOT suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning with Intervention, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Emergency Braking, and Forward Collision Warning. These systems work cohesively to reduce driver fatigue on long journeys or in congested city traffic, enhancing safety and driver confidence. A 360-degree Around View Monitor further aids parking and maneuvering in tight spots, making it a truly confident and secure family transporter.

Value Proposition: An Electrified MPV for Malaysian Families

Set to launch in Malaysia in March 2026, the All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER is expected to be priced between RM160,000 and RM180,000. This competitive pricing positions it as one of the most accessible new MPVs offering dual sliding doors and an electrified powertrain. Compared to similarly sized rivals—many unavailable locally or employing conventional drivetrains—the Serena C28 presents compelling value. Early interest, with around 400 bookings ahead of its official launch, underscores strong confidence in Nissan's innovative family MPV approach, highlighting its potential success in the Malaysian market.

Final Verdict: Redefining Mainstream Family Mobility

The Nissan Serena C28 e-POWER makes no pretensions of being a luxury or sporty MPV. Its mission is singularly focused on what matters most to families: supreme comfort, outstanding efficiency, generous space, and unparalleled ease of use. By masterfully blending EV-like driving refinement with the practical advantages of a petrol-powered generator, Nissan has created an MPV that is both thoroughly modern and remarkably uncompromised. For families seeking a quiet, comfortable, and highly adaptable people mover that intelligently embraces electrification, the All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER makes an exceptionally compelling case. It truly sets a new benchmark for what a mainstream MPV can be, embodying a perfect synergy of innovation and everyday practicality for Malaysian households. After you Discover our English Reviews of the new Nissan Serena e-POWER. See why this Nissan Malaysia family MPV is refined for modern families. Get insights now!, we're confident you'll agree.

Specifications at a Glance:

• Motor: Single, front-mounted electric motor
• Power: 163 PS
• Torque: 315 Nm
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
• Hybrid system: Nissan e-POWER (engine as generator only)
• Petrol engine: 1.4-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated (generator-only)
• Battery: 1.77 kWh lithium-ion
• Estimated driving range: Up to 1,000 km
• Price as tested: Estimated between RM160,000 and RM180,000

We Like: EV-like smoothness without charging anxiety, exceptional practicality, refined cabin comfort.
We Don't Like: High-speed cornering still reminds you it's a tall, boxy MPV – an expected trade-off for its primary strengths.

Your Journey Starts Here: Engage with the Future!

Having explored the groundbreaking features and family-centric design of the All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER, we want to hear from you! Are you considering an electrified MPV for your family, and which features resonate most with your lifestyle? We warmly invite you to experience the future of family mobility. Visit your nearest Nissan showroom to delve deeper and understand firsthand why this MPV is generating such significant excitement. Share your insights and questions in the comments below – your perspective is invaluable!

Eager for more family vehicle analyses? Explore our extensive reviews on other family-friendly cars and MPVs to make an informed decision for your next ride!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How does Nissan's e-POWER system differ from conventional hybrid vehicles?

A1: Nissan's e-POWER system is unique because the electric motor *always* drives the wheels, providing an EV-like experience. The petrol engine's sole function is to act as a generator, recharging the onboard battery or supplying power directly to the motor. This contrasts with conventional hybrids, where both the engine and electric motor can drive the wheels, offering a different driving dynamic and often requiring more complex power transitions.

Q2: Is the All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER suitable for long-distance travel in Malaysia?

A2: Absolutely. With an impressive estimated driving range of up to 1,000 km on a single tank and excellent fuel efficiency of 18.5 km/litre, the Serena e-POWER is perfectly equipped for long journeys across Malaysia. Its superior ride comfort, significantly reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels, and specific anti-motion sickness technologies ensure a serene and refreshing experience for the entire family, even on extended trips.

Q3: What makes the Serena C28's interior exceptionally family-friendly?

A3: The Serena C28's interior excels in family-friendliness due to its unparalleled flexibility (up to 13 seating configurations), convenient walk-through access, and luxurious second-row captain's chairs. It also boasts a 14-inch entertainment screen, individual air-conditioning vents for all rows, practical fold-out tray tables, and numerous USB charging ports. The hands-free dual power sliding doors are a standout convenience for busy parents managing children and cargo.

Q4: What is the expected price range and launch timeline for the Serena e-POWER in Malaysia?

A4: The All-New Nissan Serena e-POWER is slated for launch in Malaysia in March 2026, with an anticipated price range of between RM160,000 and RM180,000. This competitive pricing positions it as a highly attractive option within the Malaysian MPV market, especially given its advanced electrified powertrain and comprehensive feature set. Early bookings have already shown strong demand, indicating its potential to be a popular choice among Malaysian families.