Nissan introduced the sixth-generation Serena e-Power as the latest version of its long-running family MPV in 2023, twinning the brand’s second-generation e-Power hybrid technology with a spacious seven-seat cabin.
The model is currently sold in some right-hand drive markets, but not officially available in the UK. However, independent importers offer older generations of the Serena, exposing a niche market for practical Japanese MPVs among British buyers.
We recently spent some time exploring the global-spec Nissan Serena e-Power to find out what it offers in terms of space, features and practicality.
Design
The Serena e-Power adopts a boxy MPV design with a tall roofline and large glass area to maximise interior space. Nissan’s V-Motion grille dominates the front fascia, while slim LED lighting elements give the vehicle a more modern appearance.
Large sliding rear doors and a practical dual back-door design make it easy to use in tight multi-storey car parks, or when parked closely in front of another vehicle.
Interior
In international markets, the Serena e-Power features a spacious seven-seat cabin with first-row seats and second-row captain seats incorporating Nissan’s Zero Gravity design.
13 different configurations are possible by sliding and folding the seats, allowing different passenger and luggage layouts. The cabin also includes 26 cupholders and numerous storage compartments throughout.
Higher-spec variants receive dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, while other versions use a 7-inch instrument display and a 9-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on higher trims, along with a wireless phone charger and six USB ports.
Other features include dual-zone automatic climate control with second-row digital controls, power sliding doors, walk-through cabin access, second-row tables with cupholders, rear sunshades and a motorised 14-inch roof-mounted monitor on selected variants.
Experience in the Serena e-Power
I spent quite some time in the Nissan Serena e-Power, and to begin with, it immediately felt like a vehicle designed with Japanese urban use in mind. The narrow body, sliding doors, low-effort ingress and large glass areas make it feel well suited to tight streets and compact parking spaces.
Getting into the front was easy for my 6-foot frame, and the step-in height was not a problem. The manually adjustable driver’s seat offered decent back support and good under-thigh support, but I would have preferred a wider seat.
Headroom is excellent, with nearly 20 cm above my head. Visibility is also a strong point, helped by the large windows and teardrop-shaped front quarter glass.
The cabin is practical rather than premium. The steering wheel feels grippy, the physical HVAC dials are convenient, and the screen is sensibly sized. However, the plastic quality is average, and the lower dashboard feels cheap.
The centre console could also have been slimmer, as my knees and UK size 11.5 shoes needed a little more room around the pedal area, but this won’t be an issue for everyone.
The second row is much better. The sliding doors, B-pillar grab handle, captain’s chairs, tray tables, USB ports, roof vents, roof-mounted HVAC controls and fold-down monitor give it a more comfortable feel. Knee room was generous, and my shoes slid under the front seat. However, the armrests are quite thin.
The third row is mainly for children. I had only around 2 cm of knee room, limited foot space, and about 6 cm of headroom. Still, Nissan has extracted excellent utility from the available space.
Specifications
The Serena measures 4,765 mm in length, 1,715 mm in width and 1,885 mm in height. The narrow width is an intentional JDM design constraint, which we see working well on UK roads.
The wheelbase measures 2,870 mm, ground clearance is 125 mm, and the minimum turning radius is 5.7 metres. Boot capacity is quoted at 280 litres and the fuel tank holds 52 litres, in the global-spec model.
Power comes from Nissan’s second-generation e-Power system, where the electric motor alone drives the wheels while the petrol engine functions as a generator. The electric motor produces 163 PS (120 kW) and 315 Nm of torque.
Energy is stored in a 1.77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, while power is generated by a 1.4-litre HR14DDe three-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection.
Nissan quotes fuel efficiency of 18.5 km/L under the NEDC cycle and a driving range of up to 1,000 km. The Serena e-Power also features e-Pedal Step, allowing drivers to accelerate and decelerate using a single pedal in many driving situations.
The suspension setup consists of MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. Ventilated disc brakes are fitted at the front and rear.
Safety equipment varies by trim but includes Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Intelligent Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist and Nissan’s ProPILOT system on selected variants.
Pricing
The Nissan Serena e-Power is not officially available in the UK. Nissan, which is in recovery mode after years of declining sales and revenue, may not invest in homologating the van for UK market needs, and is set to continue focusing on the SUV segments where higher volumes are to be had.
If Nissan were to introduce the latest generation here, we would expect a starting price of around GBP 40,000, with top-spec models reaching GBP 55,000. It would likely compete with large family MPVs such as the VW Multivan and premium seven-seat people carriers, while offering Nissan’s unique series-hybrid technology.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
