Nissan Leaf vs Nissan Serena e-Power
Verdict
The Nissan Leaf is the purer choice: RM168,888 buys a 40.0 kWh EV with 270 km range, 6.6 kW AC charging and 50 kW CHAdeMO DC charging. The Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM154,800, so the RM14,088 saving gets you a 7-seat MPV with a 160 hp motor, a 1.77 kWh battery and petrol-hybrid/REV running. For a Malaysian buyer, this is really charging access versus family carrying; the Leaf is quicker on paper, the Serena is far easier to pack with people.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want a full EV with 270 km range, a larger 435-litre boot and home/DC charging capability.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if you need seven seats, rear air-con and the petrol-hybrid/REV convenience of not planning around charging stops.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800
- Seats: Nissan Leaf 5; Nissan Serena e-Power 7
- Battery capacity: Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh; Nissan Serena e-Power 1.77 kWh
- Motor output: Nissan Leaf 148 hp/320 Nm; Nissan Serena e-Power 160 hp/315 Nm
- Boot space: Nissan Leaf 435 litres; Nissan Serena e-Power 280 litres
- Size: Nissan Leaf 4,480 x 1,790 x 1,540 mm; Nissan Serena e-Power 4,690 x 1,695 x 1,885 mm
Leaf
- Full EV with 270 km stated range
- Bigger boot: 435 litres versus 280 litres
- Quicker on paper with a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Costs RM14,088 more
- Only 5 seats versus 7
- Shorter manufacturer warranty: 3 years versus 5 years
Serena e-Power
- Seven-seat MPV layout with sliding and reclining second row
- Rear air-con vents with blower control
- Gets blind spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors
- Smaller boot with seats up: 280 litres versus 435 litres
- No spare tyre; tyre repair kit only
- No stated plug-in charging or EV range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 168,888 | RM 154,800✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,433 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 97 hp |
| Torque | — | 123 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 148 hp | 160 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 315 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh✓ | 1.77 kWh |
| EV Range | 270 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 1 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CHAdeMO | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,885 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,784 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 205/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking | — |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | 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 | Manual Operation | Manual Operation with Split Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year | 8-year/160,000 km ePower Components Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 100✓ | RM 120 |
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.
Leaf vs Serena e-Power FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or Nissan Serena e-Power better?
For most families, the Nissan Serena e-Power is the better fit because it has 7 seats, rear air-con and a lower RM154,800 price. The Nissan Leaf is better if you specifically want a full EV with 270 km range.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, while the Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM154,800. That makes the Leaf RM14,088 more expensive.
Which one has more boot space?
The Nissan Leaf has more boot space at 435 litres. The Nissan Serena e-Power has 280 litres with its MPV seating layout in use, but it counters with 7 seats against the Leaf’s 5.