Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has announced a new variant of its MPV, the Nissan Serena Impul J for its model line-up, and is priced at RM169,888 on-the-road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.
As suggested by its name, this new variant of the MPV features an Impul aero bodykit that is made in Japan, which builds upon the existing Premium Highway Star Package specification for the Nissan Serena in this market.
On its exterior, the Impul J variant of the Serena is differentiated from its rangemates by additions including a chrome garnish on its front bumper, as well as chrome inserts added to the V-Motion front grille. At the rear, chrome trim is also applied to the lower edge of the rear bumper to match the aesthetic at the front of the vehicle, and the tailgate also receives an Impul emblem.
Rolling stock for the Serena J Impul is comprised of made-in-Japan, 18-inch Impul Millennium Y-spoke alloy wheels, with a black and polished finish. These are shod in Goodyear Eagle F1 Sport tyres.
Inside, the Serena J Impul gets interior trim specific to this variant, and its seats and door trim are upholstered in Nappa leather in a burgundy and black colour scheme.
The conveniences of the Serena range remain with this J Impul variant, featuring the split rear tailgate for loading flexibility in tight spaces, and the dual powered sliding doors for ease of entry and egress. Also included inside are seven USB charging ports, built-in window sunshades, a power door opening switch located in the third row as well as a variety of storage compartments throughout the cabin.
Powertrain for this version of the Serena remains as before, where the MR20DD 2.0 litre naturally aspirated inline-four cylinder petrol does duty, producing 150 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through an Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy is a claimed 14.2 km/litre (70.4 l/100 km), or equivalent to a range of 852 km on a full tank of fuel, says ETCM.
All Impul accessories are factory-fitted and are covered by a three-year, 100,000 km warranty, according to ETCM; the Nissan Serena is covered by a five-year, 100,000 km warranty according to the Nissan Malaysia website.
Along with its refreshed exterior, the facelifted Serena brings the welcome addition of driver assistance systems including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, as well as driver attention warning on both Highway Star and Premium Highway Star versions offered on sale in Malaysia; it is the latter, higher-spec variant we are sampling here.
Where the wardrobe change for the C27 Serena is concerned, visual changes are rather sparing, though the front fascia that now gains a full-height ‘V-motion’ grille certainly adds to the seven-seater’s road presence, particularly when seen through a preceding vehicle’s rear-view mirror. What else has changed? Let’s find out.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid facelift was recently launched in Malaysia after it was revealed in Japan in 2019. Two variants are available here – the Highway Star at RM149,888 and the Premium Highway Star at RM162,888 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of SST. The focus of this gallery will be on the top-spec Premium Highway Star variant.
Like before, the Serena S-Hybrid soldiers on with the MR20DD 2.0-litre direct injection four cylinder petrol engine, paired to an Xtronic CVT gearbox. The powertrain produces 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm, aided by a 1.8 kW (2.6 PS) and 48 Nm electric motor for better acceleration, sending drive to the front wheels. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 14.2 km/l on the NEDC cycle.
Starting with the front end, where the bulk of the changes are at, the new Serena now sports a full height V-motion grille that stretches down to the front bumper. The chrome bits on the bi-LED headlamps now stretch from the headlamps to the bottom of the grille – a design that the MPV a jewel-like look, Nissan claims.
At the rear, the LED taillamp design has been revised with a sharper, more futuristic look and is larger in size too. If you notice, the taillamps now stretch further downwards, past the rails for the sliding doors. In the Premium Highway Star variant, you get 16-inch wheels along with a black roof as standard.
Colour options now consists of Diamond Black, Tungsten Silver, Brilliant White and Radiant Red – the latter being available exclusively to the Premium Highway Star variant.
Inside, the changes are less apparent in the facelifted Serena. Aside from the quilted Nappa leather, a first for the Premium Highway Star, changes on the dasboard is limited to the silver surrounds on the gear lever console. It’s now much slimmer than before, presumably to accommodate the new larger 9.0-inch infotainment display, up from 6.75 inches. The Premium Highway Star’s roof-mounted monitor is also larger now, from 10.1 to 11.6-inch.
Standard features include seven USB ports, dual-zone air conditioning with ceiling mounted controls, 360-degree camera system with Moving Object Detection, six speakers, keyless entry, hands-free power-sliding doors on both sides, and auto-folding side mirrors.
Exclusive kit for the Premium Highway Star are door visors, “Tech On” mats for the folding trays, front and rear dashcams and V-Kool tinting.
The facelift Serena has also received upgrades on the safety front. The six airbags are complemented by features like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and driver attention warning. Check out our full launch report and compare specs at CarBase.my.
GALLERY: 2022 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star
Nearly three years after the facelifted Nissan Serena went on sale in Japan, the car has finally landed in Malaysia. The refreshed MPV was launched in Mid Valley Megamall this morning, bringing some welcome updates to the C27 – particularly on the safety side.
Those improvements come with a sizeable hike in the prices, although they now include the sales and service tax (SST). As before, the Serena is available in two variants, both with the mild S-Hybrid powertrain – the Highway Star retails at RM149,888 on-the-road without insurance, while the Premium Highway Star with some additional accessories goes for RM162,888.
Compared to the previous model before the SST exemption, the new Serena is RM17,000 more expensive in Highway Star form and RM18,000 more as the Premium Highway Star (the latter is against the old two-tone package variant, which now comes standard). A five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is included with the purchase, with early bird customers also getting five times free parts and labour for every alternate service.
No matter which version you go for, you get an unchanged MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. It’s mated to an Xtronic CVT and a 1.8 kW (2.6 PS) electric motor that provides 48 Nm of accelerative boost when needed, with drive sent to the front wheels. Combined fuel consumption is rated 14.2 km per litre on the NEDC cycle.
The exterior redesign is dominated by a distinctive full-height V-motion grille that stretches all the way down to the centre air intake – replete with chrome “dashes” that Nissan claims gives the car a jewel-like look. Lower down, the L-shaped inserts on the corners of the front bumper are larger and more aggressive, and these are repeated at the rear of the car.
The lamp units have also been revised – the split headlights come with a chrome instead of body-coloured strip, flowing neatly into the massive grille. They are also now bi-LED with new reflector and projector units, and they come with “eyebrow” LED positioning lights. Completing the look are unique LED tail lights (the brake lights are also now LED) that curve outwards, giving the rear end a wider look.
As before, the Serena comes with plain silver 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, with the Premium Highway Star gaining the same 16-inch rollers, now finished in black. The higher-spec model also gets a black roof as standard – it was optional before, and the Cashmere Gold paint was paired with a brown roof instead. Speaking of which, the colour options have shrunk to just four and include Brilliant White, Diamond Black, Tungsten Silver and Radiant Red, the last of which is exclusive to the Premium Highway Star.
Inside, revisions are limited to minor trim changes and new graphics for the seven-inch colour instrument display in the centre, although the segmented LED speedometer remains in front of the driver. The seven seats are still upholstered in black fabric as standard, but the Premium Highway Star gains quilted Nappa leather for the first time, available in either black or brown.
Elsewhere, the 6.75-inch infotainment touchscreen has been bumped up to a nine-inch unit on the Premium Highway Star, still with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. That variant’s rear roof-mounted monitor has also grown in size from 10.1 inches to 11.6 inches.
Passengers continue to sit in sliding captain’s chairs on the second row and a three-abreast third-row bench (resulting in a 2-2-3 seating configuration) that tips up to fold; they plug into no fewer than seven USB ports (three in front). You also still get dual-zone automatic climate control – one zone for the front, the other for the second and third rows, the latter adjustable via the same ceiling-mounted control panel.
The rest of the standard equipment is mostly identical and includes keyless entry, push-button start, manually-adjustable Zero Gravity front and second-row seats, a 360-degree camera system with Moving Object Detection (MOD), six-speakers, hands-free power-sliding doors on either side and a manual tailgate with a separately-opening rear windscreen section. Auto-folding door mirrors have been added to the list.
Step up to the Premium Highway Star and you’ll continue to gain door visors, LED interior lighting and a “Tech On” mat for the second-row folding tray tables, along with new additions such as V-Kool window tint and front and rear dash cams. All the top spec’s extras are optional on the Highway Star except for the black roof, wheels, head unit and leather upholstery.
The aforementioned big step up in safety is the inclusion of driver assistance systems like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a driver attention warning on all models. Malaysia remains one step behind Japan, losing out on the latter’s optional ProPilot semi-autonomous driving function – but hey, progress is still progress. Six airbags, stability control and second-row ISOFIX child seat anchors are still standard fitment.
The facelifted Nissan Serena S-Hybrid can be had with interest rates starting from 1.99% per annum with Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s (ETCM) Green Financing. Buyers can also place a booking online on the company’s Lazada store for a lower fee. Browse full specifications and equipment on CarBase.my.
The C27-generation Nissan Serena facelift is now open for booking in Malaysia on the Nissan Malaysia website. Prices start from below RM150,000, according to the company, with two variants offered – the 2.0L Highway Star and the 2.0L Premium Highway Star Package, the latter to be priced below RM165,000.
Powered by the same 150 PS/200 Nm MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and is augmented by a 2.6 PS/ 48 Nm motor that serves as the starter and alternator, and handles the idle stop system, recuperation and drive assistance.
The 2022 facelift for Nissan’s MPV now adds active safety to its feature set, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind spot warning as well as rear cross traffic alert.
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Also listed as part of the 2022 Serena’s active safety features are hill start assist, VDC (stability control), traction control, ABS, EBD with brake assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second row, and a dual-channel (front and rear) video recorder that is standard on the Premium variant, but optional on the base 2.0L Highway Star. For passive safety, both variants get six airbags.
Conveniences offered by the 2022 Nissan Serena facelift – as on the pre-facelift – include a “dual back door” split-tailgate arrangement, kick motion-operated hands-free sliding doors on both sides, as well as a total of seven USB ports throughout the cabin.
Seating in the 2022 Serena offers Zero Gravity technology for the front and second rows, and can be set up in up to 13 configurations, where the second row gets captain chairs and the third row seats offer sliding adjustment with a tip-to-fold function for added cargo space when not in use by passengers.
Upholstery is fabric on the base Highway Star variant with leatherette trim offered as an option, while the Premium Highway Star Package brings combination leather trim featuring premium quilted Nappa leather in black or brown. Air-conditioning is a dual-zone system, with control switches offered in the second- and third-row seats.
Infotainment on the base 2.0L Highway Star variant is comprised of a 6.75-inch infotainment unit that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Premium variant offers the same smartphone integration set through a nine-inch touchscreen display; audio comes courtesy of a six-speaker system across both variants. Meanwhile, the driver gets a seven-inch full colour display.
The 2022 Nissan Serena facelift will be offered in a total of seven exterior colours – Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver and Diamond Black for the base Highway Star, and a two-tone finish comprised of a contrasting Diamond Black roof and pillars finish for the same three colours, in addition to Radiant Red for the Premium trim variant.
The Nissan Serena looks set to get a facelift in Malaysia this year, at least according to a dealer’s post on Facebook. The MPV, which is still in its fifth generation (C27), was first introduced here back in 2018 and is currently offered with the S-Hybrid powertrain and two variants – 2.0L Highway Star and 2.0L Premium Highway Star (available with the Black Package or Two-Tone Package).
As far as design changes go, the latest Serena features a tidier V-motion grille with slim chrome slats and a revised mesh. The grille’s more discreet chrome edges also extend into the headlamps, which retain their shape, but now appear conjoined as a result. Elsewhere, the front and rear bumpers have been slightly reprofiled, while the taillights remain the same before.
The revisions for the Highway Star version (that’s the one we get for the pre-facelift model) pictured here are a little more substantial, including a double V-motion grille that stretches further down to the centre air intake.
This is accompanied by a black surround and chrome inserts, as well as a more aggressive front bumper sporting L-shaped inserts at the corners that house the fog lamps. Those inserts are repeated for the rear bumper too, and the Highway Star’s taillight clusters are larger, extend further down the vehicle’s sides and feature a unique lighting signature.
Inside, the Serena gets some minor trim changes and a redesigned instrument cluster but otherwise remains largely the same to the pre-facelift model. This applies to both standard and Highway Star versions of the MPV.
The FB post did not include a full list of specifications, but it did state that the updated Serena will come with active safety systems like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and a blind spot monitor.
The current Serena we have now doesn’t have such systems and its safety kit for both variants include six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, hill start assist, an around view monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (i-MOD) and Intelligent Driver Alertness (i-DA). The MPV is a rather popular option for car buyers here, so having a more robust set of safety features would certainly be welcomed.
Other systems added as part of the facelift include Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication. The optional ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving feature that was introduced when the C27 first debuted also gets a revamp to provide improved speed control for smoother braking in various driving conditions and is better at maintaining the driver’s set speed.
No mention of what will power the new Serena when it is launched here, although we should expect the same S-Hybrid powertrain as before. This consists of a MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine with 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.
Paired with an Xtronic CVT, the mill works with an SM24 ECO electric motor rated at 2.6 PS and 48 Nm that acts as an alternator and starter motor, helping to control the idling stop system, energy recuperation and providing acceleration assistance.
In Japan, the S-Hybrid is one of two powertrains offered, with the other being Nissan’s e-Power system that features an EM57 electric motor (136 PS and 320 Nm) that is juiced by a HR12DE 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine (84 PS and 103 Nm) – the engine has no direct connection to the wheels.
Here’s a full gallery of the Nissan Serena J Impul, which was first introduced in Malaysia back in December last year. This two-tone example is priced at RM149,888 on-the-road without insurance, but customers can opt for a version with a single-tone black exterior finish for RM2,000 less at RM147,888.
Aesthetic improvements here include a front apron with chrome garnishes for the fog lamps and lower lip, a chrome-plated rear lip, 18-inch Impul Millennium alloys in a black and polished finish (with 225/40 series tyres), as well as mocha-coloured diamond-quilted leather seats. Optional items are an in-car portable cooler box (RM488) and a DVD player head unit with navigation function (RM800).
The rest of the kit list is pretty much identical to the Premium Highway Star variant, and includes automatic LED projector headlamps, powered sliding doors, a seven-inch instrument cluster display, keyless entry and start, a 6.75-inch head unit, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a 10.1-inch rear LCD panel, six airbags and an around view monitor, just to name a few.
The Serena J Impul retains the same MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, which serves up 150 PS and 200 Nm of torque. The mill is paired with an Xtronic CVT that drives the front wheels, and is assisted by a 2.6 PS/48 Nm ECO electric motor that replaces the starter motor.
Included in the price is a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and the Impul accessories come with a separate three-year or 100,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).
Last month, Nissan previewed the facelifted C27 Serena, and the refreshed fifth-generation MPV has now gone on sale in its home market of Japan. The tweaks are mostly cosmetic in nature, but there are a couple of revisions in terms of the safety equipment on board.
Let’s start off with the looks, where the Serena incorporates what Nissan calls a “double V-motion” grille. On standard models, this entails a thicker black surround for the chrome grille, which gets twin slats. There are also sharper front and rear bumper designs that add a sportier look.
But it’s the Highway Star (that’s the one we currently get) that grabs the headlines with distinctive full-height grille that stretches all the way down to the centre air intake – replete with chrome inserts that Nissan claims gives the car a jewel-like look.
The L-shaped inserts on the corners of the front bumper are also larger and more aggressive, and these are repeated at the rear of the car. There are also redesigned 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels and unique LED tail lights that curve outwards, giving the rear end a wider look.
The split headlights are redesigned across both models, now with a chrome strip instead of body colour – on the Highway Star, they flow neatly into the chrome borders of that gargantuan grille. Higher-end models gain Nissan’s first adaptive LED headlights, which feature 12 diodes on each side that can be turned off individually, allowing for the use of the high beam without dazzling other motorists.
With the facelift come two new colours, these being Sunrise Orange and Dark Metal Grey – both of which can be optioned with a two-tone exterior colour scheme with a Diamond Black roof. There’s also a new, aerodynamic 15-inch two-tone alloy wheel design exclusive to the e-Power models.
Inside, revisions are limited to minor trim changes and a redesigned instrument cluster, with waterproof seat covers now offered as an option. As for safety, the Serena adds Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication to the standard kit list that already includes Intelligent Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning.
The optional ProPilot semi-autonomous driving feature has also been revamped, now with improved speed control that provides smoother braking in various driving conditions. It is also better at maintaining the driver’s set speed and balancing powertrain output when returning to flatter road surfaces.
Powertrain options have been maintained and include a 147 PS/210 Nm MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected twin-CVTC four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to an Xtronic CVT and a 1.8 kW electric motor that provides 50 Nm of accelerative boost when needed. It is available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, the e-Power model is powered by a 136 PS/320 Nm electric motor from the previous-generation Leaf, juiced by a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder engine – as with all e-Power models, there’s no charging port for pure electric driving. Nissan claims a fuel consumption figure of 26.2 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle.
The C27 Nissan Serena still feels like a fresh product in this part of the world, having been launched here just last year in May. However, Nissan Japan has gone public by showing the facelifted MPV in full on its website, revealing two variants with very specific design revisions.
The first model in red takes on a more subtle restyle, featuring a tidier V-Motion grille with slimmer horizontal chrome bars, while the mesh design appears to be more three-dimensional than the outgoing model. The grille’s chrome edges now bleed into the new headlights, making the split units appear conjoined, despite retaining the exact same shape from before.
The V-Motion chin has also been raised, giving the lower bumper (the edges now get more prominent air curtains) a slightly cleaner look. The rectangular fog lamps are missing on this model, suggesting that it could be a cheaper variant.
But let’s face it, you’re here to talk about that big chrome grille, aren’t you? Based on what’s available on the website, the grille, which features seven rows and columns of slim chrome strips, is factory-fitted and is likely to be featured on more expensive variants, such as the Serena e-Power. This is the first time the V-Motion grille has been given such a bold look.
Here, the headlight graphics are completely new as well, with a combination of projector and reflector units, as well as more chrome accents that underscore the illuminating components. Fog lamps are present here, and they are highlighted by gloss black surrounds that are connected to the bolder air curtains. Other changes include new wheels, revised tail lights (taller than before), and a new rear bumper.
Inside, the cabin appears largely untouched. The picture you see below is of the Serena e-Power, which comes with a unique electronic gear shifter, electro-mechanical parking brake (regular Serena models get a foot parking brake), blue push-start button, and auto brake-hold assist.
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The website also shows a selection of interior colours. Models with fabric upholstery get three colour schemes – grey and black, black (with what looks like burgundy seats), and a full beige cabin. The premium black leather upholstery with quilted pattern is clearly reserved for the most expensive variant.
Other than that, expect no other changes to be done. The Serena will still be powered by the existing range of engines, such as the MR20DD 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, as well as the HR12DE three-cylinder petrol engine found on the Serena e-Power. The former makes 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm and is mated to an Xtronic CVT.
For safety, the updated Serena will get Nissan Intelligent Mobility, with features such as adaptive cruise control with intelligent emergency braking, adaptive LED headlights, rear cross traffic alert, and emergency brake for pedal misoperation.
Lastly, two new exterior colours join the existing palette, those being Sunrise Orange and Dark Metal Grey. Both colours can be had in a two-tone finish, with the roof and A-pillars painted in gloss black. Other colours include Cashmere, Maroon Red, Imperial Amber, Brilliant Silver, Azulite Blue, Diamond Black, and Brilliant White Pearl. So, thoughts, anyone?
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is getting into the festive spirit early by introducing a new Imperial Red colour for the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, specifically for the range-topping Premium Highway Star variant.
The new hue is part of a two-tone scheme applied on the seven-seat MPV, with the roof, rear spoiler and side mirrors all painted black. This look is reminiscent of what you’ll find with the X-Trail X-Tremer that was launched in February last year.
On that mention, ETCM also expanded the SUV’s colour options to include two new ones – Brilliant White and Tungsten Silver. Much like the existing Passion Red, the new finishes are applied on many parts of the car’s body, with the exception of the roof, roof rails, rear spoiler, side mirrors and 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels that are painted black.
Beyond the revised colour palletes, both models are unchanged in terms of specifications. The Serena’s powertrain consists of a MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine (150 PS/200 Nm), an Xtronic CVT and an ECO electric motor (2.6 PS/48 Nm) that replaces the starter motor.
In Premium Highway Star, features include LED headlamps, 16-inch wheels, a Clarion head unit with a 6.75-inch touchscreen, combination leather upholstery in either black or two-tone Truffle Brown and Chestnut, single-zone auto climate control, rear air-con controls, keyless entry and start, as well as a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD rear display.
Meanwhile, the X-Trail X-Tremer gets two engines – 2.0 litre (144 PS/200 Nm) and 2.5 litre (171 PS/233 Nm) – both mated to an Xtronic CVT. Nissan’s All Mode Intelligent 4X4-i system is available only with the larger-capacity engine.
Highlights include front X-Face cladding, a chrome rear bumper protector and on the inside, luxurious Nappa leather seats finished in black.
ETCM is also giving Nissan customers the chance to a win a serviced apartment worth up to RM665,000 in The ERA, Duta North Kuala Lumpur when they purchase and register a Nissan vehicle from December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. With the Chinese New Year celebrations coming, rebates of up to RM12,000 are being offered for selected Nissan models as well.
Edaran Tan Chong Malaysia (ETCM) has just launched the new Nissan Serena J Impul, and prices for the new range-topper start from RM147,800 for the single-tone black exterior paintwork (available for the first time on the Premium Highway Star), whereas two-toned models cost RM2,000 more at RM149,800. The standard five-years unlimited mileage warranty applies, and the Impul accessories come with a separate three-year or 100,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).
To start, the J Impul model is essentially an aesthetic upgrade that costs RM6,000 more than its donor car. For the money, you get a chrome-plated front apron which garnishes the fog lamps and lower lip, chrome-plated rear lip, 18-inch Impul Millennium alloys in black and polished finish (shod with 225/40 rubbers), as well as mocha-coloured diamond-quilted leather seats.
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The company says the Japan-made genuine accessories offer an additional 10% downforce for better stability. Things are unchanged performance-wise – the Serena J Impul gets the same MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, making 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm. It’s mated to an Xtronic CVT which drives the front wheels. The engine is assisted by a 2.6 PS/48 Nm ECO electric motor that replaces the starter motor, controls the Idling Stop System and energy regeneration.
Fortunately, existing C27 Serena S-Hybrid owners can choose to upgrade their cars with the chrome-plated front and rear lips, although ETCM made no mention as to whether the 18-inch Impul alloys would be sold separately.
You’ve seen it in pictures, now it’s time you see it video form. The newly-launched, locally-assembled C27 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is offered in the same two variants as before – the Highway Star that’s priced at RM127,874 and the Premium Highway Star for RM139,195. Both are on-the-road prices without insurance (GST-free as well), and they are between RM2,300 and RM4,100 more expensive than the older C26 model.
More importantly, it’s now a seven-seater instead of eight (more like 7+1) from before, but the omission sees the introduction of two captain seats with Nissan’s Zero Gravity tech for the middle row. There’s seven USB ports scattered inside, and both the powered sliding doors feature hands-free access via a kicking motion.
Overall, the new C27 is bigger than the old C26, and the rear tailgate features a split-opening function that provides easier access to the boot in tight spaces, especially when you’re parked against a wall. Watch the video to see just how much the new Serena has been improved, and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
The 2018 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid represents a bit of a revival for the Nissan brand in Malaysia. It’s the first model to be launched by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) since the Navara pick-up made its debut here in 2015, its arrival lending the local Nissan line-up a much needed boost in terms of product freshness.
It has however taken a while for the fifth-gen MPV to reach these shores – two full years, if anyone’s counting. That’s because the C27 was unveiled in Japan in mid-2016. Nonetheless, it’s finally here, in locally-assembled CKD form, and joins the Nissan model range here as the replacement for the C26 Serena.
The Serena is, without a doubt, ETCM’s most important launch in years, so it’s absolutely crucial that it’s a good one. Well, is it? We put the people mover through the paces to find out.
The C27 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid has finally arrived in CKD form, and the mild-hybrid MPV is available in two variants – Highway Star (RM135,500) and Premium Highway Star (RM147,500).
To recap, power comes from a carryover MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, now revised to make 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels through an Xtronic CVT, and assisting propulsion is a 2.6 PS/48 Nm ECO electric motor that provides torque boost for up to one second when moving away from a standstill.
The model we reviewed in this video is of the Premium Highway Star variant, clad in the new Cashmere Gold paint with Imperial Umber roof. It’s also fitted with the two-tone Truffle Brown and Chestnut leather upholstery. Is it better than the outgoing C26 model? If so, by how much? Watch the video to find out!
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid has been a modest sales success for Nissan, and the new fifth-generation C27 hopes to continue finding favour with large families, with competitive pricing and a bunch of new features. As it happens, we’ve got a comprehensive photo gallery of the new car right next to the previous C26 to lay bare all the changes between the two generations.
Let’s start with the most important information of all, pricing. Offered in locally-assembled (CKD) form and in the same two variants as before, the new Serena is priced at RM135,500 for the Highway Star variant and RM147,500 for the Premium Highway Star, on-the-road without insurance. That means that the new models are between RM2,500 and RM4,500 more expensive, which isn’t too bad considering the extra kit on board.
Although the new car’s slab-sided body appears to be an evolution of its predecessor, put both together and you can really see the design differences. While the old car sports a face that apes the larger Elgrand, the new one has a more striking maw, with dual-tier LED headlights that are reminiscent of the Toyota Vellfire. There’s also a V-motion front grille, a more aggressive front bumper design and rectangular fog lights.
The upswept beltline along the side remains, but on the new car it’s complemented by a downwards-sweeping character line that adds some pizzazz to the styling. The blacked-out D-pillars and shorter tail lights give the new Serena a trendy “floating roof” look, emphasised here by the two-tone colour scheme on this range-topping Premium Highway Star. The variant’s 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels are the same as before.
No such luck finding carryover components on the inside, as the new Serena has a thoroughly modernised cabin, with its floating centre console and flat-bottomed, three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel. What’s more, while the old car’s dashboard was made with hard-wearing hard plastics, the new one gets plusher soft-touch materials with real stitching.
Then there’s the level of technology on board, starting with the digital instrument cluster – now featuring a seven-inch full-colour multi-info display that shows the rev counter, trip computer information as well as the around view monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (i-MOD). There’s also a new Clarion head unit with a 6.75-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
One big change is the move from eight seats to seven, with second-row captain’s chairs with armrests. Local distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor says that this increases the feeling of luxury, but it also means that the outgoing model’s second-row centre seat, which could be folded and slid forwards to double as a storage console in front, is now gone.
New C27 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid (left) versus old C26 (right)
On the plus side, the first- and second-row seats feature Zero Gravity technology for improved comfort, and there are also seven USB ports all around the car – one in each of the front dashboard storage bins, one on the head unit and two each for the second and third rows. The third row can now be slid forwards and back for either increased legroom or a larger boot.
Access is improved though a new hands-free opening function for the twin power-sliding doors, operated using a kicking motion under the doors, while opening and closing buttons have also been fitted for the third row. A split-opening tailgate provides easier access to the boot in tight spaces.
An increase in space is claimed for the new Serena, with interior length extended by 180 mm, while height and width has been increased by 20 mm and 65 mm respectively. This is despite the exterior dimensions remaining largely identical, measuring 4,770 mm long and 1,865 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,860 mm also retained. Only the width of the car has been changed, growing a measly five millimetres to 1,740 mm.
New seven-seat layout (above) versus old car’s eight seats (below)
As standard, the new Serena comes with front and rear fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, single-zone auto climate control and new digital rear air-con controls. Safety wise, there are now six airbags instead of two, joining the existing ABS with EBD and brake assist and stability control. There’s also a new Intelligent Driver Alertness (i-DA) feature.
The Premium Highway Star variant adds the aforementioned 16-inch alloys, door visors, combination leather upholstery in either black or two-tone Truffle Brown and Chestnut, a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD rear display, a Tech-On tray mat on the second-row picnic table for holding tablets or other devices, an LED interior room light and V-Kool 4Mil security film tinting.
Powering the new car is a carryover MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, now making slightly more power at 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm. It’s fitted with a new dual-arm tensioner to reduce tension on the arm belt and improve fuel efficiency, and is mated to an Xtronic CVT.
New Serens’s split-opening tailgate makes it easier to load smaller items in tight parking spaces
Working alongside it is a 2.6 PS/48 Nm ECO electric motor that replaces the starter motor, controls the Idling Stop System and and energy regeneration. The motor also offers acceleration assistance to the MPV, providing a 50 Nm torque boost for up to one second when moving away from a standstill. As for fuel consumption, Nissan claims the Serena is good for 14.2 kilometres per litre on the European NEDC cycle.
While the new Serena rides on the same platform as before, it comes with a few upgrades to improve refinement, ride and handling, such as a sound-absorbing wheelhouse liner, a speed-sensitive electric power steering system with a quicker ratio, stiffer front and rear suspension mountings, as well as high-performance valves in the dampers for a more stable and comfortable ride.
