2019 Nissan Serena E-Power Test Drive Review - CarBuyer Singapore

Find out why the weirdly-shaped, and weirdly-powered Nissan Serena E-Power is possibly the most unique car we've driven in Singapore this year: An MPV that hasn't any direct competitors with a hybrid powertrain that's like an EV you top up with petrol.
Read more on CarBuyer.com.sg:
bit.ly/330UnXC - Our test drive review of the Nissan Serena E-Power
Content copyright CarBuyer Singapore / CarBuyer.com.sg 2019
Videography, editing, music, presenting by Derryn Wong.
Opening and closing animations by Faiz Yusri

[@EePingLiang]

Nice review! I liked your presentation!

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Thanks so much!

[@laughinloveforever6707]

Great test! Thanks a lot!

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Thanks for the feedback! Hope the buying advice helps :)

[@user-uv2st2hr4w]

Hello, please do a review on Nissan note epower! thank you in advance.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

@@user-uv2st2hr4w We actually have done a short drive in it - www.carbuyer.com.sg/how-does-nissans-e-power-system-work/ - but we will do a full review of the Note e-Power if/when it's launched in our market

[@allantian1915]

Road humps no need slow down.. so good this car

[@alextercisio]

Good representation

[@tangchiprathomo819]

Nice review! BTW, where did you shoot the video?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

A few places in the East of Singapore - still photos at Singapore Expo and driving in Pasir Ris :)

[@ubiquitous888]

Nice! Great review. Maybe Noah hybrid comes close though not apple to apple comparison!

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Yeah the Noah and StepWgn are close competitors, though both of them are grey imports in Singapore

[@VDJMAR]

What change nissan e power or prius toyota ?

[@donswier]

Wow. Very concise, informative review👍 View from an American, here: Reminds me of my BMW i3 REX Range Extender (but with a much smaller battery pack and no plug). Sounds like a great solution for those who can't count on plug access. Petrol engines can be very efficient if tuned to operate at specific rpm, hence the relative efficiency seen with epower.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Hello Don, thanks for the kind comments! The i3 is/was an awesome BEV, and we really enjoyed that car as well, not to mention the semi-exotic carbon/aluminium construction. You're right, hybrid tech like this is going to be the new mainstream until BEVs really become widespread.

[@lordk.07]

Hi bro....i actually wanted to ask something....is the soundsystem of the nissan serena s hybrid is good???.....and does it have bluetooth built in it???

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Hello! Actually we didn't spend much time testing the audio system sorry, we focused more on how it drives and the hybrid tech. We can say that the 7.0-inch infotainment screen is decent, not super sharp, but it does have Bluetooth connectivity, and you can also connect via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

[@raindropraindrop]

The car gives off a sound when moving forward in low speed to warn pedestrians, it makes another diff sound when reversing too.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Yep that's for safety, most hybrids do that at low speed. Although in our experience a lot of pedestrians do not recognise the sound as coming from a car!

[@raindropraindrop]

@@CarBuyerComSg These days, a lot them don't even bother when they see cars coming/reversing so I think they couldn't care less bout e sound too lol... Our eyes are the best safety equipment.

[@VDJMAR]

Разгон от 0 до 100 км ?

[@poon5544]

The hybrid system is similar to that of BMW i3 and i8 without the charging plug.

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

Poon no

[@yangerek78]

I think u should be more precise in comparing it to its rival such as Toyota Noah/ Voxy or Toyota Previa or Mazda Biente or Honda stepqagon

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Those are indeed direct rivals to the Serena, but the Previa hybrid, Noah/Voxy, and Stepwgn are all parallel import models, while Mazda no longer produces the Biante. We don't usually test parallel import cars, but might consider it if any of them offered!

[@matosmatos9292]

@@CarBuyerComSg definitely a valid point but I realise that most car reviewers in Singapore usually do not compare distributor car against PIs. Why not be the first one and I believe viewership will soar for sure! Seldom/never have such comparison in local market

[@nudgedoink55]

This road is lovely. Where is it?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

If you're referring to where we drove, it's at Lorong Halus

[@mhlophekinhlapo9273]

Hi I'm from South Africa I love this car. How do I order it.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

From what we can tell it's not officially sold there, but try bugging the folks at www.nissan.co.za/

[@VDJMAR]

Hi from Russia !! fuel consumption ?? Acceleration from 0 km to 100 km ?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Full specs at the end of our review here : www.carbuyer.com.sg/test-drives/2019-nissan-serena-e-power-singapore-review-new-price/

[@divinorum1488]

@@CarBuyerComSg Here no have information in Russia its very important))

[@joshgoh8448]

How would you compare this to odyssey ?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Odyssey is definitely a better drive (www.carbuyer.com.sg/test-drives/honda-odyssey-exv-2018-review-moving-journey/), more spacious and well built, but it's also quite a bit more expensive in Singapore, and the bigger engine is thirstier too.

[@yapster804]

Good review but maybe don't move the camera around so much. Makes it harder to watch

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Sorry about that! We're still getting the hang of the whole review thing and focusing on smoother camera work in future

[@Beyblade_Genki]

Is the head unit using a android base system ?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

The one on the Kicks SUV does, but we're not sure about this particular unit.

[@GuOeR84]

And also.. is it able to make the reverse cam video appear on the larger screen instead of dashboard?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

According to Nissan, there is one in front of the passenger seat (left of the driver) and another below the cupholders (under the gearshifter).

[@cg7622]

CarBuyer.Com.Sg I can’t find any display below the cup holders. Are you referring to USB ports?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

@@cg7622 Oh we were referring to the 12V socter, that's below the cupholders apparently. The reverse camera screen is only displayed on the left hand display and yes, it's quite small!

[@malakaji84]

if im not mistaken...i did found a video review of this new serena showing the reverse cam that APPEAR on the larger screen

[@cg7622]

malakaji84 Sadly, not for Singapore variant.

[@hellocourage]

For the height, i suppose the car will have a problem to enter into older multi storeye carpark.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Yes that could be an issue, as some of Singapore's older carparks are only 1.8-metres tall - here's a useful list - lifeguide.sg/2018/06/21/car-park-height-singapore/

[@shalomrutere2649]

I've heard many reviewers - including you - say that you don't drive vans fast because of the body roll and lack of confidence. I think you should be introduced to buses and vans in my country and get to know that they're usually the fastest on our highways😂😂

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Oh no doubt those guys have the biggest cojones around, but where do we draw the line between bravery and foolishness? :D

[@jasonzack8595]

How did the maintenance cost? battery faulty how?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

We don't own this vehicle so we can't comment, perhaps some long-term drivers of the Serena can chime in

[@moraloverride]

At S$135k, it's pretty pricey. And that's after VES rebates.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

It's not cheap for sure, but it's tough to find anything else that's 1. hybrid 2. seven seat MPV 3.with that much space 4. that's not parallel imported

[@randomfootages9120]

what is the fuel economy of this car if you drive 100 km

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Officially it's 5.4L/100km

[@yanitara7072]

How much the price? Thanks

[@CarBuyerComSg]

from S$134,800 with COE from Nissan dealer Tan Chong, as of early March 2021.

[@sigitpermadi6037]

E power : fast Hybrid : slow E power : less fuel consumption ICE : more fuel consumption E power : dont need charging station EV : need charging station

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Nice way of summing it up! Though it's not exactly right to say 'hybrid : slow' since E-Power is itself a kind of hybrid drivetrain.

[@sigitpermadi6037]

E power kind of different than old hybrid. Is there other brand has same technology like e power from Nissan?

[@chrislim2681]

I heard that sound from wheels or engine

[@CarBuyerComSg]

What sound? Dying lizards?!

[@damansarajaya88]

Sad case for Malaysians, end of 2020 and we are still driving the facelift version of previous model. Singaporeans already driving ePower model since 2019!! Cmon Tan Chong, do better.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Sad to hear that - are there rebates for hybrids in Malaysia come 2021?

[@damansarajaya88]

@@CarBuyerComSg Not sure about that but the service tax morotarium is extended until June 2021 to support the car industry. Hopefully the new Serena ePower is launched before this benefit ends. Not sure what is holding Tan Chong back from launching this model which is already launched a while in neighbouring countries.

[@TheMofaizul]

@@CarBuyerComSgupdate 2024 bought my serena facelift with rm10k rebate but still no epower.

[@user-gw3is2ss5f]

Ждём в РФ.

[@MP-zw8ff]

O my Lord.. the price is so expensive in sg

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Welcome to Singapore!

[@risegs450f]

なんで、セレナ E-POWERが海外に? コイツら 日本限定の車があるの気に食わないの？😡

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Nissan Singapore says our Serena E-Power are indeed made in Japan :)