The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid facelift, which we spotted in Malaysia in August, is now open for booking by Edaran Tan Chong Motor, as advertised on the Nissan Malaysia official website. The facelifted Serena S-Hybrid made its world debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
UPDATE: The CKD Serena S-Hybrid facelift is now launched, view our launch report.
ETCM launched the pre-facelift Serena S-Hybrid here in July 2013, brought in as a CBU import from Japan under the now expired CBU hybrid tax incentives. Now that hybrid incentives are reserved for locally-assembled models, the Serena S-Hybrid facelift will roll out from Tan Chong’s Serendah plant.
No change in drivetrain, so the FL carries over the MR20DD 2.0 litre engine with 147 PS at 5,600 rpm and 210 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. The direct injection twin-CVTC unit is paired to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control.
An Idling Stop System shuts down the engine when idle, and restarts in 0.3 seconds after the brake is released. The official 15.2 km/l fuel consumption in Japan’s JC08 test cycle remains.
There are changes to the kit list, though. From what we can see for now, the MPV (in Highway Star trim, as before) will come with LED headlamps with LED signature lamps. The latter isn’t full blown DRLs, but positioning lamps. The LED headlamps are a highly visible upgrade from the current reflector halogens. At the back, the LED tail lamps have a new pattern.
New face aside, the 16-inch rim design you see here is fresh. Speaking of wheels, the CKD facelift gets a space saver spare tyre, which is more reassuring compared to the the CBU’s repair kit.
Other kit highlights include twin powered sliding doors, i-key keyless entry and push start, cruise control and leather wrapped steering. All are present in the pre-facelift. The rear AC has been changed from an digital unit with LCD screen to a simpler lever switch type.
However, now there’s a Premium Highway Star trim level that adds on a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD screen, 6.5-inch “multimedia navigator” with rear view camera/DVD player/Bluetooth, roof spoiler, V-Kool Elite window tint, combination leather seats and door visors to the standard car.
Safety wise, it’s status quo with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and two airbags. Isofix child seat anchors are available on the second row chairs, which are “captain seats” that can be moved inwards (stuck together) for better third row access. The Serena is advertised as an eight-seater, and there are eight three-point seatbelts.
Estimated prices are “below RM140k” for the Highway Star and “below RM150k” for the Premium Highway Star – both with a three-year free maintenance package to boot. To compare, the CBU pre-facelift car was priced at RM149,500 (on-the-road with insurance) without the LED headlamps or free services, so there’s savings to be had.
Check out our Serena S-Hybrid launch report for more info on the MPV, as well as a big gallery of pics showing various seat configurations. The launch is not far away now, so stay tuned for more.
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid facelift at Tokyo 2013
Pre-facelift Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
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Why still 2 airbags? This mpv is tasked as a family mover and Nissan thinks families do not deserve extra safety? Boo!
Yeah, just give me 6 airbags please. I dont mind paying the extras for the safety of my family
Can’t deny it is a pretty good price, even cheaper than the awkward looking (imo) Mazda Biante.
But honestly Nissan, 2 airbags? What happened to the new found priority on safety and class leading features that you guys had in the Teana and Sylphy? Come on, this is a family car for goodness sake. I won’t mind paying the extra 10k for the base Highway Star to get the side and curtain airbags, cause honestly your kids are going to be in those seats.
Sorry Nissan, I’m disappointed.
OMG…two air begs….this car really like a coffin car…puihhhh.
two airbags only…in an mpv which has a higher centre of gravity giving it higher chances to topple meaning curtain airbags are a must have. stay away from this car.
Much better than 20 years old marseles
ur 20 year old kia doesnt even have disc brakes.
Tan chong..
you should not care your profit only!
6 air bags are minimum!
NOBODY BUY THIS CRAPPY 2 airbags expensive MPV!
I drove the car and I find the road handling was pretty good.
2 airbag for a family car?
Not bad price for this car.
Now I can buy this car to sell sugar cane drinks at pasar malam
yeah.. nice pricing.. moderate specs (no 6 airbags though).. but still the outlook nt really catchy.. but as long as it is cheap, it is practical, then i will consider it :D
Nice facelift, now comes with spare tyre. D only let down is no 6 airbags though
Estima recond also have 2 airbags, what can i say. Even Karpal Singh’s Alphard only have 2 airbags that leads to his fatal injuries from side crash. 6 airbags is a must.
Why you must mention the late Karpal Singh?
The problem is Malaysia government and their ridiculous tax amount. In order to make car prices lower, safety features and specs must be toned down to ‘K’ spec, K stands for Kosong.
Huh? You can buy full featured Honda Odyssey at similar price, you say every cars are toned down?
Alphard can go into waste yard.
2 airbags only.
And why a Japan-CBU Biante(also 2 airbags) can be sold at similar price of this CKD? Greed?
The worst case is Previa, hard plastics with no ESP and 2 airbags at 250k.
biante is a very good car, but 2 airbags also…..why la u all car seller no care of our safety?
Signature Lamps? ini Peugeot ka?
Larger MPVs please offer 2,3,3 seating option apart the captain seat in 2nd row to counter and MPVs from gray importer please. There’s just not many options to choose from besides Starex
it is a 2+3+3 seating, only that the center seat can be slide forward to become driver’s/front passenger’s armrest/storage compartments.
That Nissan Elegrand headlight though. MPV car got 2 airbag while subcompact get 6 airbag, seems legit
When I look at its headlights, can’t help but to think that I’d seen mini Elgrand
Will anyone know what is the sales tax and exercise duty for this car?
Current: Sales Tax = 10% no excise duty
Between 1 Apr 2015 and 31 December 2015
GST: 6%, Sales Tax abolished, no excise duty
Starting 1 January 2016, GST: 6%, excise duty unknown
Before or after FL, still look like a car sending coffin
Sending coffin in a bit of style amd at the same time maintaining fuel efficiency that is.
Any ISOFIX? In the video, children all not using child seat or booster seat.
I like the slight improvement they’ve made and until final pricing is reveal, I will withhold my opinion. My mom absolutely love this car thou I advice to at least wait for the HRV to arrive before we compare, we don’t really require the sheer size of it.
So far, only the European MPV tend to have 6-airbags below the RM200k price ceiling, and all three of them, the S-Max, CrossTouran and 5008, do not have the space to match the big Nissan, it is only you fork up RM240k before you get the size of Serena with safety spec to match, in the Honda Odyssey. Which is really disappointing on Nissan’s part considering their excellent offering in the Teana and Sylphy(which I have been rarely seeing)
But safety aside, another thing troubles me… the CKD Hybrid tax-exemption is set to expire on Dec 2015, that makes almost exactly 1 year from today. What will this be priced after that, and is it really justifiable for Nissan (or TCM) to CKD this here? after which a probable price-hike to near or even post RM200k where I will have a hard time seeing it being competitive.
PS: Saw some new covered X-Trail running around Rawang this morning, probably a December launch.
this is not a ‘real hybrid’ mpv to begin with, go ask the salesman in tan chong.
Ya…..which MPV gives you 15km/l <200k?
I wd go for the biante in the battle of awkward looking mpvs…
This car basically a VAN type. Modified become MPV. Really sad about Nissan.
For the premium line… Sunroof is a must….
sunroof not practical in Malaysia
so many airbags impossible la. with the adjustable seating positions (they claim got over 10 variation), if 6 airbag it higher chance it will harm the passenger when inflating.
its the both front windows the make it look awkward or shall i say ugly……
the quantity of airbags = ridiculus…..come on la nissan
With Safety Shield, i believe it will help.
Although have only 2 airbag.