Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Facelift open for booking – now CKD with LED headlamps, below RM140k

serena-fl-open-booking

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.

Click to enlarge images

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.

serena-fl-est-price

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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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • seancorr (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Why still 2 airbags? This mpv is tasked as a family mover and Nissan thinks families do not deserve extra safety? Boo!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 74 Thumb down 2
    • Yeah, just give me 6 airbags please. I dont mind paying the extras for the safety of my family

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 2
    • sudonano (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 2
    • Merc Benz on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      OMG…two air begs….this car really like a coffin car…puihhhh.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 11:42 am

    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.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 59 Thumb down 2
    • ssvul on Oct 25, 2014 at 12:33 am

      Much better than 20 years old marseles

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Semi-Value (Member) on Nov 05, 2014 at 9:19 am

        ur 20 year old kia doesnt even have disc brakes.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Ayam & Hippo on Oct 27, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Tan chong..
      you should not care your profit only!
      6 air bags are minimum!

      NOBODY BUY THIS CRAPPY 2 airbags expensive MPV!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • I drove the car and I find the road handling was pretty good.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 2 airbag for a family car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • cendol (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 11:48 am

    Not bad price for this car.
    Now I can buy this car to sell sugar cane drinks at pasar malam

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 2
  • hahaha on Oct 24, 2014 at 11:58 am

    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

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • no 6 airbags though on Oct 24, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Nice facelift, now comes with spare tyre. D only let down is no 6 airbags though

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  • 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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 40 Thumb down 4
    • cendol (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 48
      • Huh? You can buy full featured Honda Odyssey at similar price, you say every cars are toned down?

        Alphard can go into waste yard.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Jimmy on Oct 24, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 0
    • Semi-Value (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      biante is a very good car, but 2 airbags also…..why la u all car seller no care of our safety?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • thefact on Oct 24, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    Signature Lamps? ini Peugeot ka?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 9
  • Rulered on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    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

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • insider on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • That Nissan Elegrand headlight though. MPV car got 2 airbag while subcompact get 6 airbag, seems legit

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • When I look at its headlights, can’t help but to think that I’d seen mini Elgrand

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • PaulLee on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Will anyone know what is the sales tax and exercise duty for this car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • 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

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • myoswee on Oct 24, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Before or after FL, still look like a car sending coffin

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    • panjang on Oct 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

      Sending coffin in a bit of style amd at the same time maintaining fuel efficiency that is.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • stallion on Oct 24, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Any ISOFIX? In the video, children all not using child seat or booster seat.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • AVH (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • oh please! on Oct 31, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      this is not a ‘real hybrid’ mpv to begin with, go ask the salesman in tan chong.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on Oct 24, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    I wd go for the biante in the battle of awkward looking mpvs…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Rickie on Oct 25, 2014 at 1:50 am

    This car basically a VAN type. Modified become MPV. Really sad about Nissan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
  • Nazreen on Oct 25, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    For the premium line… Sunroof is a must….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • 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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • kim sai on Oct 30, 2014 at 12:55 am

    its the both front windows the make it look awkward or shall i say ugly……
    the quantity of airbags = ridiculus…..come on la nissan

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Nordin on Nov 25, 2014 at 12:07 am

    With Safety Shield, i believe it will help.
    Although have only 2 airbag.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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