The C28 Nissan Serena has been a long time coming for Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM). The model was spotted camouflaged on Malaysian roads as early as five months after its global debut, hinting that ETCM could be quick with its model launch — but that ultimately was not the case.
After multiple delays (which, from what we understand, were not entirely ETCM’s fault), the C28 Nissan Serena is finally inching closer to a Malaysian launch.
Overview
The Nissan Serena is no stranger to Malaysians, as ETCM has locally assembled (CKD) the model since the first-generation C23 back in the 1990s. Subsequently, every generation of the Nissan Serena — barring the C25 — was locally assembled here.
With the launch of the C28 Nissan Serena, things won’t be any different. ETCM’s Serendah facility will be in charge of producing the model, both for local consumption and export markets.
Yes, the C28 Nissan Serena, like its C27 predecessor, will be exported regionally. Exports of the latter to Thailand commenced in late-2024, with the C28 Serena set to take over the mantle in due time.
Exterior
If there’s one thing Nissan excels at, it’s vehicle design — and the C28 Serena is quite the looker without overselling it.
Up front, there’s a massive grille, with the LED headlights neatly integrated into the grille assembly, creating a look that is unmistakably Nissan. Towards the rear lies the Serena’s party piece — its split tailgate design.
On paper, the split tailgate is nothing to write home about, but in practice, it’s a highly underappreciated feature until you’ve actually used it. The split tailgate comes in clutch when reversing the Serena into a tight space, where opening the full tailgate would be borderline impossible during loading or unloading. As the name suggests, the upper half of the tailgate can be opened independently, allowing easy access to the boot area without opening the entire tailgate.
As before, the Malaysian-spec C28 Serena offers a rear fog light, just like the C27 and C26 predecessors. However, unlike the earlier centrally mounted rear fog lights, the C28 Serena’s unit is neatly integrated into the driver-side (right-side) reflector.
Interior
Matching the futuristic exterior is a completely revamped interior. Out goes the messy-looking dashboard of the predecessor, as the C28 Serena now features a modern layout with dual 12.3-inch displays — one serving as the digital instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment screen.
Below that sits the climate control system, which integrates both touch-sensitive and physical controls. The latter also incorporates the push-button-style shifter controls. Yes, Nissan has stepped into the 21st century with the C28 Serena, ditching the conventional gear lever entirely.
Further reinforcing its modern credentials is the inclusion of a Qi wireless charging pad, along with a total of six USB ports scattered throughout the cabin, catering to increasing power demands. Speaking of scattered throughout the cabin, Nissan engineers have cheekily placed easter eggs in the form of ducks in the cup holders.
Material choices and build quality feel top-notch, with no rattles or poorly fitted panels to be found — at least in the test unit we drove.
The C28 Nissan Serena continues to offer a 2-2-3 seating configuration, with no fewer than 13 seating and cargo configurations, truly redefining practicality. Even with four adults on-board, we were never left wanting for more space (with multiple luggage and backpacks).
Powertrain
The C28 Nissan Serena is ETCM’s second model to feature the innovative e-Power powertrain, following the Nissan Kicks e-Power. It also marks a departure from the S-Hybrid mild-hybrid system used since the C26 Serena.
Like the Kicks, propulsion is handled by a front-mounted electric motor. Here, the motor produces 163 PS and 315 Nm, drawing power from a small 1.77-kWh battery pack located under the front seats. A naturally aspirated 1.4-litre HR14DDe petrol engine acts solely as an onboard generator and is not mechanically connected to the front wheels.
Under the more lenient NEDC test cycle, ETCM claims fuel consumption of up to 5.4 L/100 km (18.5 km/L). During our drive, we managed, at best, around 13.6 km/L.
Driving Impression
Our drive took us from the Nissan showroom in Petaling Jaya to the coastal town of Kuantan.
Now, if there’s one thing I personally enjoy, it’s the driving experience of an MPV. Hear me out — an MPV offers near-perfect all-round visibility thanks to its large glass area, while its tall driving position allows you to see far ahead, all without the bulk of an SUV.
Couple that with the near-EV driving experience, and the C28 Serena accelerates briskly. There are no hesitations from gear shifts or turbo lag — just instant torque as the Serena pulls away. That said, this is still a seven-seater MPV, and it’s not meant to be driven like a hot hatch.
Thanks to its reworked suspension geometry, along with components adapted from the T33 X-Trail up front, the C28 Serena feels noticeably more confident on the road, especially through the winding sections of the Karak Highway. These dynamics align well with how families are expected to drive the Serena — calmly and well within national speed limits.
The addition of an acoustic windshield further helps to keep wind noise at bay, resulting in a reasonably quiet cabin that’s well suited for long-distance journeys.
Conclusion
It’s been a long time coming for the C28 Serena. Granted, ETCM is effectively in a one-horse race here, as its closest rivals — the Honda StepWGN and Toyota Voxy/Noah — are available strictly as reconditioned imports. The C28 Serena stands out not just for being a hybrid, but for offering a full factory warranty.
At its estimated sub-RM200k price point, the C28 Serena presents itself as a logical choice for most families — significantly cheaper than full electric MPVs, yet more upmarket than B-segment seven-seaters.
Of course, the full picture can only be assessed once the C28 Serena is officially launched, complete with final pricing. ETCM is scheduled to launch the model roughly a month from now. If you’re in the market for a seven-seater MPV, this is one worth waiting for.
