You’re looking at the elusive Nissan Serena C28 e-Power, recently spotted in Malaysia, as posted to the paultan.org Automotive/Car Discussion Group on Facebook, hinting at a possible release in the near future. Or at least we can hope. The sixth-generation MPV model has surely taken its own sweet time coming here – it was first unveiled in Japan way back in 2022.
We did get a bit of a false hope in early 2023 when a C28 test mule was seen along Genting Highlands, perhaps signaling an unusually early local debut (by Tan Chong standards, at least) but alas, we’ve heard no official word on it since. The current C27-generation Serena has been around in Malaysia since 2018, with a mild facelift arriving in 2022.
Our understanding is that there’s a bit of a barter trade between Nissan Malaysia and Thailand, with us supplying the old C27 for our neighbours, and then receiving the new C28 in return. The C27 – imported from Malaysia – was launched in Thailand in end-2024, priced at 1,469,000 baht (RM189k) and sold alongside the CKD C28 that goes for 1,690,000 baht (RM218k).
Whether the two-prong approach will be mirrored here is yet unknown, but if the answer is yes, it sure doesn’t bode well for the new C28 to be competitively priced. Locally, the C27 is priced between RM148,888 and RM163,888, so adding on another 15 or 20% (could well be more considering it will be a CBU-taxed model) would bring it close to the RM200k mark.
Still, it’s not without its strengths. The C28 Serena gets an upgraded version of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system, now featuring a 98 PS/123 Nm 1.4 litre HR14DDe naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine that powers a single electric motor with 163 PS and 315 Nm of torque via a 1.77 kWh battery.
Like in the Kicks e-Power, there is no mechanical link between the engine and front wheels, so the electric motor is the only means of motivation for the Serena e-Power. In essence, it will drive like a true blue electric vehicle, but one that gets its juice from a petrol engine acting as a power generator. Long distance road trips will be a breeze, only requiring regular fill ups at the petrol station.
Whether that’s going to be a big enough advantage over extremely well priced electric MPVs from Chinese brands – plus the odd few PHEV models as well – remains to be seen. If you’re looking for a family MPV in Malaysia, would the Nissan Serena C28 e-Power be on your radar? Comment below!
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been eyeing this ePower Serena since it was launched in Singapore. The quietness is unbeatable. This should sell like hot cakes here too.
Proton xnak 3-cylinder dah
The bigger the merrier.
At Japan,
The Nissan Serena C28
2.0L starts 2.72mil JPY, RM 74k
1.4L 3cyl RE-EV starts 3.25mil JPY 88.5k
Let’s see how much for CBU/CKD?
Mazda 3 kneels…hope we can get reasonable price for this too
is too late for me. but is fine, come come, let me see the high price
Would be merrier if Honda Malaysia brings in Stepwgn to spice things up. Hehehe
Maybe It need to comes with L2 adaptive cruise control,
Otherwise the base spec Hyundai Staria is more relevant for family weekend getaway for even more space and comfort.
staria pump diesel , a lot more expensive than petrol
It comes with Pro-Pilot assist. so yes that and hands-free steering
XPeng looks a lot hotter and futuristic.
xpeng MPV is almost double the price of this tho
Below 200k still can consider above that nope.
Anything above RM150k is hard to sell. Bankrupt issue too!
and yet alphard vellfire whcih costs 150k times three, selling so well
anything more than 160k is a no no. This is midsize mpv, so if TC really serious to market this, plz price reasonably and plz make sure bring in the 8seater option.
actually there isnt any other midsize mpv with sliding doors priced at 160k in market, so its a pretty good unfilled niche
Too slow, is this a joke.. technology from 2022 to be sold in 2026? Cars technology are moving so fast these days, what is Tan Chong dreaming about?
prefer to come with 7+1 Seats and not current 7 Seats only.
New Alphard/Vellfire is RM500k++ here. Similar China MPV is about RM300-350k. If China MPV can have this small size MPV and sell it around 120k, sure can take sales away from Nissan. Nissan is not Toyota, it is easy to grab its portion.