Verdict
At RM133,900, the Civic undercuts the RM154,800 Serena e-Power by RM20,900 and is the clear choice for five-seat sedan duties: its 180 hp, 240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 497-litre boot are hard advantages. The Serena pays for a different job. Its 160 hp, 315 Nm electric motor, seven seats and sliding, reclining second row suit larger families, though its 280-litre boot and 1,784 kg kerb weight demand compromises. Both are CKD, front-wheel drive and carry five-year warranties.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want the lower RM133,900 entry price, a 497-litre boot and proven 8.3-second 0-100 km/h performance for five occupants.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if carrying up to seven people matters more than boot volume, as its second row slides and reclines and it has a 315 Nm electric motor.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic RM133,900; Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800.
- Seats: Honda Civic 5; Nissan Serena e-Power 7.
- Boot space: Honda Civic 497 litres; Nissan Serena e-Power 280 litres.
- Power and torque: Honda Civic 180 hp/240 Nm; Nissan Serena e-Power motor 160 hp/315 Nm.
- Kerb weight: Honda Civic 1,349 kg; Nissan Serena e-Power 1,784 kg.
- Wheelbase: Honda Civic 2,735 mm; Nissan Serena e-Power 2,870 mm.
Civic
- 180 hp and 240 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo
- 497-litre boot is 217 litres larger
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction
- Five seats versus the Serena e-Power's seven
- No blind spot information system
- Rear air-con is vents only, against the Serena e-Power's blower control
Serena e-Power
- Seven seats with sliding and reclining second row
- 160 hp, 315 Nm electric motor and 1.77 kWh battery
- Blind spot information system and powered left sliding door
- 280-litre boot is 217 litres smaller
- 1,784 kg kerb weight is 435 kg higher
- Passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,900✓ | RM154,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,433 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 123 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 160 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.77 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,678 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,802 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,415 mm | 1,885 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | 1,349 kg | 1,784 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 497 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R16 | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental MaxContact MC5 | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation with Split Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km ePower Components Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Civic & Serena e-Power for sale
Civic vs Serena e-Power FAQ
Is the Honda Civic or Nissan Serena e-Power better?
The Civic is better for five-seat driving, boot space and outright acceleration, with 180 hp and an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The Serena e-Power is better when seven seats, a flexible second row and a powered sliding door are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM20,900 more than the Honda Civic: RM154,800 against RM133,900.
Which has the more practical cabin?
The Serena e-Power has the more flexible passenger cabin, with seven seats, a sliding and reclining 50:50-split second row and a foldable third row. The Civic counters with far more luggage space: 497 litres versus 280 litres.