Verdict
The Nissan Serena e-Power is the cheaper, taller box, and that matters if you want MPV practicality without paying D-segment money: it has 280 litres of boot space against 239 litres and a lower RM120 road tax. The Toyota Innova Zenix is bigger across the body, seats eight instead of seven and has much stronger petrol outputs, with 174 hp and 205 Nm versus the Nissan’s 97 hp and 123 Nm. Both are front-wheel drive, both get six airbags and AEB, so this is space efficiency versus muscle.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if you want seven-seat MPV space, a bigger boot and lower annual road tax for less money.
Pick the Toyota Innova Zenix if you need eight seats and prefer its stronger 1,987 cc petrol drivetrain.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800; Toyota Innova Zenix RM165,000
- Seats: Nissan Serena e-Power 7; Toyota Innova Zenix 8
- Power and torque: Nissan Serena e-Power 97 hp/123 Nm; Toyota Innova Zenix 174 hp/205 Nm
- Size: Nissan Serena e-Power 4,690 mm long/1,695 mm wide; Toyota Innova Zenix 4,760 mm long/1,850 mm wide
- Boot space: Nissan Serena e-Power 280 litres; Toyota Innova Zenix 239 litres
- Road tax: Nissan Serena e-Power RM120 a year; Toyota Innova Zenix RM435 a year
Serena e-Power
- Costs RM10,200 less
- Larger 280-litre boot
- Lower RM120 annual road tax
- Seats seven, not eight
- Much lower outputs at 97 hp and 123 Nm
- Narrower body at 1,695 mm
Innova Zenix
- Seats eight
- Stronger 174 hp and 205 Nm petrol drivetrain
- Wider 1,850 mm body
- Costs RM10,200 more
- Smaller 239-litre boot
- Higher RM435 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM154,800✓ | RM165,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 4-cylinder inline, 16 valve DOHC, Toyota Dynamic Force Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,433 cc | 1,987 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp | 174 hp✓ |
| Torque | 123 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| 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 | — | 10-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,760 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,784 kg | 1,595 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 239 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 16" Steel 205/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| 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 | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle Row Passenger Seats | Available on two outer middle passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| 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 Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front | 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front Cig Socket, 2 Middle Row USB-C, 1 Rear Row Cig Socket |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation with Split Opening | Powered boot |
| 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM435 |
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 & Innova Zenix for sale
Serena e-Power vs Innova Zenix FAQ
Is the Nissan Serena e-Power or Toyota Innova Zenix better?
The Toyota Innova Zenix is better for eight-seat use and stronger performance. The Nissan Serena e-Power is better if you want the bigger boot, lower road tax and lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM154,800, while the Toyota Innova Zenix costs RM165,000. The Toyota is RM10,200 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Nissan Serena e-Power has more boot space, with 280 litres against the Toyota Innova Zenix’s 239 litres.