Nissan Serena e-POWER (2024) Review: Sharpened and Even More Desirable

What we like:

Series hybrid gives EV-like characteristics

Superb practicality

Thoughtful family-friendly design

What we dislike:

Cabin can get hot when sunny

The Serena e-POWER has always been a little different in its segment with a series hybrid system instead of a parallel one. That means that it basically runs like an electric vehicle, with the petrol engine’s sole purpose only to charge the battery that powers the electric motors. When we tested it almost five years ago, we were most impressed with the car’s responsiveness thanks to its EV-like torque delivery.

At the Singapore Motorshow earlier this year, Nissan introduced the facelifted version to the Singapore market and now we get to drive it.

What’s different with the 2024 Nissan Serena e-POWER?

The car has been facelifted extensively and comes with both cosmetic as well as mechanical changes. It is now available in either the more affordable Premium 8-seater variant, or the full-fat Highway Star Prestige 7-seater variant. The 8-seater variant comes with a multi-purpose centre seat in the second row to carry one additional passenger. However, the outer seats of the second row aren’t as adjustable as in the 7-seater variant, which can slide front and back, and even left and right.

It now has the 2nd generation e-POWER system, bringing it up-to-date with the Note and X-Trail e-POWER (the Kicks remains on the 1st generation system). It is said to be more powerful with less engine noise. The former 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine has been replaced with an all-new 3-cylinder 1.4-litre engine that’s only found in the Serena; the last e-POWER model released is the X-Trail which has yet another different motor, a 1.5-litre turbo engine. That Nissan developed a whole new engine just for a single model is quite remarkable.

How does the 2024 Serena e-POWER look?

Visually, the Serena now cuts a handsome form on the road, dispatching away any of the awkward looks of the pre-facelift car. The minivan proportions still remain, but it is far better disguised now with wide swathes of black piano panels and elegant, clever LED lighting. My favourite feature has got to be the bold lighting up front which nearly covers the whole of the front grille, yet isn’t over the top.

How different is the 2024 Serena e-POWER’s interior?

The overall interior design has been brought bang up-to-date. The gear knob has been replaced by buttons (there never were gears anyway), touch sensitive buttons control the 3-zone air-conditioning and there are tables for all 2nd and 3rd row seats that include holders that can accommodate 500 ml bottles. Every row also has their own USB-C charging ports.

All seats are covered in lovely, buttery smooth leather. There’s more intricate stitching all round, and there’s a non-slip mat between the front seats to put loose items like your phone. The instrumentation and infotainment screens look premium and are responsive. Overall, it’s very coherent and thoughtfully designed.

How is the 2024 Serena e-POWER good for families?

As with these Japanese minivans, visibility is incredible for occupants and Nissan claims to have the widest windshield of them all (I would believe it). It’s a joy especially for children as they can see a lot of their surroundings, but one drawback is that the cabin does get hot on a sunny day due to the greenhouse effect.

To improve comfort, Nissan has improved the Serena’s sound insulation, incorporated a new seat design and reduced crosswind effects. The car is markedly quieter and more refined than its predecessor, certainly a tangible improvement. There is also 120 mm of additional legroom for the driver, so it feels that bit more spacious up front.

There’s more. The Serena’s water-repellent seats are a huge boon in case of spills and splashes (don’t we parents know too well). The split tailgate is extremely useful given how big they are as one-piece items for our small parking spaces. Lastly, the dual sliding doors can also be kick-operated in case one’s hands are full (although they are not electric in the Premium 8-seater variant).

How does the 2024 Serena e-POWER drive?

It’s a relaxing place to be in, and while it isn’t the last word in engagement, it basically gets the minivan job done excellently. My wife loved it, my son loved it and I liked running it all day for life’s activities, be it for work or family. It’s noticeably more efficient than before (we achieved 18 km/l), so it’s a true workhorse. It’s probably the first time I saw my son more interested in sitting in the third row than the second (as the third row also had tables).

How is the 2024 Serena e-POWER taxed?

It’s a bit difficult to define the e-POWER drivetrain. When it was first launched in Singapore, it was classified as a hybrid. However, from what we understand from Nissan, the 2024 Serena is taxed as an EV (based on power rating instead of engine capacity). Thankfully, it would not attract the additional flat component (AFC) levied by the government to get electric vehicles to partially cover the fuel excise duties paid by equivalent Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.

For comparison sake, if the car was taxed as a hybrid with a 1,433 cc engine, it would attract road tax of $908 a year. As an EV, it would be taxed exactly the same $908 rate annually - as the car is exempt from the $700 AFC. All good, then.

Would you recommend the 2024 Serena e-POWER?

At $209,800, the Serena is literally the most affordable 7-seater full-sized minivan you can buy from an authorised distributor. We would wholeheartedly back the Serena.

Photos by James Wong

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