Verdict
At RM154,800, the Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM10,000 more than the Toyota Corolla, but it answers a very different family brief: seven seats, a 2,870-mm wheelbase, powered left sliding door and rear blower control. Its e-Power system has a 160-hp, 315-Nm motor, while the Corolla’s 1.8-litre petrol engine makes 137 hp and 172 Nm. The Toyota is the smarter pick for five people needing luggage space, with a 470-litre boot against 280 litres, plus adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. Nissan counters with blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if you need seven seats, sliding-door access and its 160-hp, 315-Nm electric motor drive.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if five seats and a 470-litre boot suit your needs, and you want RM10,000 back in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Seating: Nissan Serena e-Power 7 seats; Toyota Corolla 5 seats.
- Boot space: Nissan Serena e-Power 280 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Wheelbase: Nissan Serena e-Power 2,870 mm; Toyota Corolla 2,700 mm.
- Powertrain output: Nissan motor 160 hp and 315 Nm; Toyota 1.8-litre engine 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Road tax: Nissan Serena e-Power RM120/year; Toyota Corolla RM279/year.
Serena e-Power
- Seven seats and a 2,870-mm wheelbase.
- Powered left sliding door and rear air-con blower control.
- Blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.
- 280-litre boot is 190 litres smaller than the Corolla’s.
- Costs RM10,000 more.
- No adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera or driver’s knee airbag.
Corolla
- 470-litre boot and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- 360-degree camera, auto wipers and eight-way power driver’s seat.
- Five seats versus the Serena e-Power’s seven.
- No blind-spot information system or autonomous braking.
- RM279 annual road tax versus RM120 for the Serena e-Power.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM154,800 | RM144,800✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,433 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp | 137 hp✓ |
| Torque | 123 Nm | 172 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 160 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.77 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,784 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle Row Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 Speakers | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation with Split Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 Serena e-Power & Corolla for sale
Serena e-Power vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Nissan Serena e-Power or Toyota Corolla better?
The Serena e-Power is better for carrying up to seven people and for sliding-door practicality. The Corolla is better for a five-seat household that needs its 470-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM10,000 more than the Toyota Corolla.
Which has more luggage space?
The Toyota Corolla has the larger boot at 470 litres, compared with 280 litres in the Nissan Serena e-Power. The Nissan trades that space for a third row and seven-seat capacity.