Verdict
The Mitsubishi Xpander costs RM99,980, undercutting the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid by RM49,908, while both are locally assembled seven-seat MPVs with five-year, unlimited-mileage warranties. The Xpander’s 104 hp, 141 Nm 1.5-litre and four-speed automatic are plainly the budget route. The Serena’s RM149,888 price buys a 148 hp, 200 Nm 2.0-litre hybrid system, CVT, six airbags, autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and power sliding doors. It is also 295 mm longer with an 85 mm longer wheelbase, but annual road tax rises from RM120 to RM439.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if RM49,908 saved, a 495-litre boot and 17-inch wheels matter more than stronger performance and advanced driver assistance.
Pick the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid if you want 148 hp, 200 Nm, six airbags, autonomous braking and power sliding rear doors for a seven-seat family MPV.
Key differences
- Price: Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980; Nissan Serena S-Hybrid RM149,888.
- Engine output: Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm; Serena S-Hybrid 148 hp and 200 Nm.
- Safety airbags: Xpander two; Serena S-Hybrid six, including front side and front/rear curtain airbags.
- Length and wheelbase: Xpander 4,475 mm and 2,775 mm; Serena S-Hybrid 4,770 mm and 2,860 mm.
- Transmission: Xpander four-speed conventional automatic; Serena S-Hybrid Xtronic CVT automatic.
- Annual road tax: Xpander RM120; Serena S-Hybrid RM439.
Xpander
- RM49,908 cheaper to buy.
- 495-litre boot space.
- 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R17 tyres.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the Serena S-Hybrid's 148 hp and 200 Nm.
- Two airbags versus the Serena S-Hybrid's six, and no autonomous braking or blind-spot information system.
- Four-speed automatic versus the Serena S-Hybrid's Xtronic CVT.
Serena S-Hybrid
- 148 hp, 200 Nm 2.0-litre hybrid system with a 3 hp, 48 Nm motor.
- Six airbags, blind-spot information and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection from 5 km/h.
- Power sliding rear doors and a 360-degree camera with moving object detection.
- RM49,908 more expensive than the Xpander.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM120.
- 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/65R15 tyres versus the Xpander's 17-inch wheels.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM99,980✓ | RM149,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Horsepower | 104 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 141 Nm | 200 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 75 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 3 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 48 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 7 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,475 mm | 4,770 mm |
| Width | 1,750 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,775 mm | 2,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,240 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | 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 | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (from 5 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | 5 Times Free Service |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable with Retractable Armrests |
| Rear Seats | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold | 2nd Row Manual Adjustable with Retractable Armrests, Long Slide Function and Tray Tables, 3rd Row 50:50 Split-folding and Flip-up |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 2nd Row, 4 3rd Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 6.75" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation with Split Opening |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and Moving Object Detection |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Rear Doors with Contactless Operation, Anti Pinch, Remote Control and Driver Control Operation |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Foot-operated |
| Convenience Notes | — | Ice Cool Tint |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5 Times Free Service |
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 Xpander & Serena S-Hybrid for sale
Xpander vs Serena S-Hybrid FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Xpander or Nissan Serena S-Hybrid better?
The Serena S-Hybrid is better equipped for safety and family access, with six airbags, autonomous braking and power sliding doors. The Xpander is the better budget choice, costing RM49,908 less while retaining seven seats and a 495-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid costs RM149,888 and the Mitsubishi Xpander costs RM99,980, so the gap is RM49,908.
Which MPV has more power?
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid has 148 hp and 200 Nm from its 2.0-litre system, compared with the Mitsubishi Xpander’s 104 hp and 141 Nm from its 1.5-litre engine.