2022 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid will be another hot seller again

More than a decade ago, the compact MPV segment in Malaysia was filled with options, and they were all Japanese manufactured models. We had the Honda Stream, Mazda Biante, Honda Freed, Nissan Serena and the most popular model, the Proton Exora.

 The Exora was the lowest priced at around RM 70,000, with the Honda Freed coming in at RM 99,000. Then came the Nissan Serena at RM 125,000, and after that, we had the rest at around RM 150,000.

 As the popularity of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) gathered momentum in Malaysia, 3 row SUVs started coming to Malaysia and the humble and more user-friendly compact MPV started disappearing from showrooms. Honda stopped selling the Freed and Stream. Toyota retired the Wish and also the Sienta, which had a few years of sales, and Mazda ended the Biante sales.

 Malaysians took home 3 row seat SUVs despite it being small in the rear and being very difficult to access the 3rd-row seats (it was more for style and less practical). However, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the brand guardian for Nissan in Malaysia, continued to locally assemble and market their Nissan Serena MPV.

 In May 2018, a hybrid version of the Serena was introduced, and it was powered by a 2L Twin CVTC petrol engine working with a mild hybrid battery system to reduce fuel consumption. 

This gave it a 13 percent fuel efficiency over a non-hybrid version. Priced from RM 135,500, it was a fast-selling item, and until today, it is popular with middle-class Malaysians who cannot afford a Toyota Alphard or Vellfire, which cost almost 3 times more.  

For 2022, we hear news of a revised Serena S-Hybrid making its way to ETCM showrooms and it will be equipped with a new electrified drivetrain. Already launched in neighbouring Singapore, this latest Serena gets its powertrain from the popular Nissan Note e-Power (not sold here).

 This spacious 8-seater MPV will be powered by a 1.2L petrol engine working with a more powerful battery electric motor to deliver 100kW and an impressive 320 Nm of torque. 

Interior features remain but get an upgrade. Seating comfort remains with 12 possible seating configurations, 16 cup holders (even with just 7-8 passengers allowed inside) six USB chargers and the boxy out-look remains. However, Nissan designers have updated the front nose treatment and the rear light cluster to give this latest Serena a more aggressive upmarket look. 

So, the biggest and most prominent change will be the drivetrain which will save fuel and provide better power from its battery-electric drivetrain. So, the question will be more on price. Will it be more expensive than the outgoing model? 

Well, with added technology provided and the fact that it is not a fully electric vehicle to enjoy a tax-free status right now, this latest Serena might actually come in at a slightly higher selling price. Probably 10-15 percent more.

 This means it will compete with the used reconditioned market, which is currently selling the used 2 to 3-year-old Toyota Voxy and Honda Spada compact MPVs, which are 2.0L powered and priced between RM 130,000 and 150,000, depending on age and specifications. 

Also read: Nissan's upcoming EV lineup for Europe: Everything we know