Verdict
At RM154,800, the Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM31,190 less than the Volkswagen Golf and brings seven seats, a 2,870-mm wheelbase and a powered left sliding door for family duty. Its 160-hp, 315-Nm motor also contrasts with the Golf’s 148-hp, 250-Nm 1.5-litre turbo MHEV. The Golf is the smaller, five-seat choice, but has the larger 380-litre boot, a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 8.6 seconds, lane steering correction and pedestrian/cyclist detection. Its annual road tax is RM90 versus the Serena’s RM120.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if you need seven seats, a 4,690-mm MPV body and a powered sliding rear door while spending RM31,190 less.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf if five seats are enough and you want a 380-litre boot, 7-speed DSG, adaptive cruise control and lane steering correction.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800; Volkswagen Golf RM185,990.
- Seating and boot space: Nissan Serena e-Power 7 seats and 280 litres; Volkswagen Golf 5 seats and 380 litres.
- Dimensions: Nissan Serena e-Power is 4,690 mm long with a 2,870-mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Golf is 4,289 mm long with a 2,631-mm wheelbase.
- Powertrain: Nissan Serena e-Power has a 160-hp, 315-Nm motor and 1.77-kWh battery; Volkswagen Golf has a 148-hp, 250-Nm 1.5-litre turbo 48V MHEV engine.
- Driver assistance: Nissan Serena e-Power has no lane-keeping assist; Volkswagen Golf has steering correction and autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist…
- Wheels and rear suspension: Nissan Serena e-Power has 16-inch alloys and a torsion beam; Volkswagen Golf has 17-inch alloys and multi-link rear suspension.
Serena e-Power
- Seven seats and a 2,870-mm wheelbase.
- RM31,190 lower purchase price.
- Powered left sliding door and rear blower control.
- 280-litre boot is 100 litres smaller.
- No lane-keeping assist or steering correction.
- 9-inch screen and four speakers trail the Golf’s 12.9-inch display and seven-speaker system.
Golf
- 380-litre boot in a shorter 4,289-mm hatchback body.
- Adaptive cruise control, lane steering correction and pedestrian/cyclist detection.
- 12.9-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, navigation and seven-speaker audio.
- Five seats versus the Serena e-Power’s seven.
- RM31,190 higher purchase price.
- No powered sliding door.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM154,800✓ | RM185,990 |
| Body type | MPV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,433 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 123 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 160 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.77 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,483 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,784 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 380 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Electronic differential lock (XDS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | 2nd Row Vents, single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 7-speaker Sound System |
| 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 |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation with Split Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| 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 & Golf for sale
Serena e-Power vs Golf FAQ
Is the Nissan Serena e-Power or Volkswagen Golf better?
The Serena e-Power is the better fit for seven occupants and MPV access, while the Golf suits buyers needing five seats, a larger 380-litre boot and more driver-assistance equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf costs RM31,190 more than the Nissan Serena e-Power. The Serena is RM154,800, while the Golf is RM185,990.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Volkswagen Golf has the bigger stated boot at 380 litres, 100 litres more than the Nissan Serena e-Power’s 280 litres. The Serena counters with seven seats instead of five.