Nissan Serena Hybrid: Big, a Joy to Ride, and Never Thirsty

It is big, a joy to ride, and never thirsty.

Never thought I’d write that sentence in a car review, but here we are. Never say never.

First, let’s rewind a bit and talk history. The name ‘Serena’ traces its roots to the Latin word serēnus, meaning ‘clear, tranquil, and pleasant’. Makes sense, because driving this beauty feels like stepping into a mobile zen retreat.

Since its debut in 1991, the Serena has been a steadfast companion for families, road-tripping veterans, and anyone who appreciates space, comfort and reliability. Now in its sixth generation, it’s been refined like a fine wine.

Let’s take a closer look.

Are You Right for Serena?

Now, instead of doing the usual car reviewer thing—rambling about specs and features for ten paragraphs before giving you the verdict—I’ll flip the script and jump straight to the conclusion: The Nissan Serena isn’t for everyone.

This car is for you if you:

• Want a vehicle that can comfortably seat your kids, parents, and maybe even your kaypoh neighbour (you know, the one who is always curious about what car you own).
• Appreciate a surprisingly sporty and nimble ride for a full-size MPV. Yes, it handles better than your average NTUC trolley!
• Love practicality and versatility. You can fold down the seats and transport everything from 200 boxes of cai png to a small herd of goats.

You should probably move on if you:

• Are a DINK (Double Income No Kids), DILDO (Double Income Large Dog Owner), or DINKWAC (Double Income No Kids With A Cat). Sorry, but this isn’t the minivan for your wild childless adventures.
• Prefer a purchase that appeals to your emotions—Serena is more about practicality than passion. Or perhap, Serena is a car for you to haul the outcome of your wild passions.
• Think driving should feel like being on a roller coaster. This isn’t the car for your adrenaline junkie dreams.

With that out of the way, take a deep breath and dive in to why the Nissan Serena is big, a joy to ride and never thirsty.

It’s Big

The Nissan Serena is all about space and versatility—it’s practically the Swiss Army knife of cars.

Check out the 360 photos below by panning and zooming to your desire.

The above is how you set it up for a typical family: two kids, one wife and three helpers. Everyone gets a seat, and there’s still room for groceries, a stroller, and that random piece of Tupperware no one remembers packing.

Now, if your two kids somehow grow up to be 2.5 metres tall (congrats on raising future basketball legends!), you can turn the Serena into a luxury limo with insane leg space.

And one fine day should you decide to retire and deliver parcels for Ninjavan (no affiliation), fold down all the seats and transform your Nissan Serena into a mobile warehouse.

And for those who are still building a new life together with your soulmate, you can, uh, literally make your future in the car.

Let’s be honest—this is way more space than what Minister Josephine was talking about, right?

Amazing versatility, isn’t it?

A Joy to Ride

Riding in the Serena sparked joy for me. Here’s why.

The plush suspension (with caveats)

The Serena boasts a plush suspension system that smooths out bumps in the road—especially if you’re cruising below 70 km/h. Sure, there’s some body roll (hardly surprising for a vehicle of this heft), but it’s all very well-mannered. Unlike many Japanese Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) that lean into corners like they’re auditioning for a pirate ship ride, the Serena keeps its rolling motions composed and dignified.

Above 70 km/h, especially on Singapore’s notoriously bumpy expressways like parts of the Pan-Island Expressway, things take a turn. Suddenly, it feels like you’re hurtling through the cosmos in a cardboard box—there’s some jumping, a bit of darting, and an undeniable sense that the car isn’t as firmly planted as it should be.

If you’re a speed demon, let me stop you right there: this car isn’t for you. But hey, think of it as a built-in safety feature! The Serena is basically saying, “Slow down, champ, don’t corner that fast, pleasssseeeee” So, in a twisted way, that’s still a win for the car.

Whisper-quiet serenity

Because this is effectively an Electric Vehicle or EV (more on that later), you’ll get a cabin so peaceful and quiet it could double as a meditation studio. But be warned – with great silence comes great responsibility. It’s so quiet that you won’t miss a single passenger’s contribution to the atmosphere from the hindquarters.

Nobody Feels Left Out

With aircon vents at every single row, meal tables and six USB ports, none of your passengers will feel left out. Every seat is a VIP seat, with a personal aircon breeze and a USB port within arm’s reach.

Great Seats

The seats are plush, supportive, and adjustable enough to make even your pickiest passenger happy. One of the Serena’s standout features is its sliding middle row seats, which can move left or right depending on the situation.

Kids getting along and sharing snacks? Slide the seats together and let them enjoy their rare moment of sibling harmony.

But if they’re in the middle of an all-out war, no problem—slide those seats apart like a referee calling for a time-out. Peace restored, courtesy of Serena’s smart design.

Serena Is Never Thirsty

The Nissan Serena uses the Nissan e-Power system, a hybrid system that’s all about efficiency. On paper, it boasts an impressive 20.4 km/litre—a solid 50-100% better than most non-hybrid cars in its class.

In reality? Pretty darn close! On my drive from Suntec City to my home near the heart of Singapore, I put it through its paces.

We’re talking a full safety orientation obstacle course: weaving through a sprawling carpark, cruising down an empty KPE, crawling through a congested PIE, and finally conquering a five-storey MCP climb to park. And yet, the Serena performed like a champ, sipping fuel modestly all the way achieving an overall fuel efficiency of 18.7km/litre.

The Nissan e-Power system

The sixth-generation Nissan Serena that I’ve tested come equipped with Nissan’s unique Gen 2 e-Power system. This is a hybrid system that combines both a gasoline engine and electric motor, but it works completely differently from most other hybrids in the market.

What’s unique about Nissan’s e-Power?

Unlike most hybrids, where an electric motor is awkwardly bolted onto a traditional gasoline engine drivetrain like an afterthought, the Serena takes a more elegant approach. Here, the wheels are driven purely by the electric motor.

So, technically, this is an EV in disguise. You get instant torque, buttery-smooth acceleration, and a petrol engine so quiet and sneaky it could moonlight as a ninja—expertly tiptoeing around to avoid waking a baby who, after three gruelling hours of lullabies and desperate bargaining, has finally drifted off, granting you a moment of blissful silence.

What’s even more amazing is the Serena’s smart feature, which proves it takes its namesake very seriously. This clever system monitors the ambient noise around you and makes a judgment call; if your surroundings are quiet, it won’t dare fire up the petrol engine to charge the battery. Instead, it preserves the peace, delivering true tranquility.

Learn more about the amazing Nissan e-Power here.

And no, you never have to awkwardly wrestle with charging cables or hunt for an elusive charging station. Just top up petrol like you would with any regular gasoline car, and you’re good to go.

With the Nissan Serena, you have an EV… that charges with petrol!

The Value

At under S$220,000 (as of 11 Nov 2024), the Nissan Serena is one of the most affordable full-size Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) money can buy in Singapore.

In a world where most MPVs come with price tags that could fund a three-room HDB flat, the Serena delivers spacious comfort, advanced hybrid tech and family-friendly features—all without requiring you to sell your soul (or a kidney). It’s proof that you don’t have to break the bank to ride in style and tranquility.

At the same time, the running costs are refreshingly low, thanks to the hybrid e-POWER technology delivering impressive fuel efficiency. Plus, let’s not forget—it’s a Japanese car. Combine that with the fact that the Serena is now in its sixth generation, and you’ve got a vehicle that’s practically engineered for longevity. This is a car designed to serve you faithfully for years, becoming a trusty sidekick for countless family road trips, grocery runs, and everything in between.

Reliable, economical, and built to last—what more could you ask for?

To experience the Nissan Serena first-hand, visit one of Nissan’s showrooms in Singapore:

• Leng Kee Showroom: 25 Leng Kee Road, Singapore 159097.
• Ubi Showroom: 19 Ubi Road 4, Singapore 408623.

For more details or to schedule a test drive, visit Nissan Singapore’s official website.