The Nissan Serena 1.4 e-POWER Highway Star is a family-oriented MPV that combines hybrid technology with practicality, comfort, and safety features, making it a strong contender in Singapore’s growing hybrid vehicle market. Here's a detailed review of what the Serena offers in terms of performance, design, and user experience.
The Serena’s design is more functional than flashy. Its boxy shape maximizes interior space, which is typical for a family MPV. The Highway Star trim brings some added styling with sporty touches like chrome accents, a bold grille, and sleek LED headlamps. While it may not turn heads for its looks, it’s more about the space and functionality on offer.
Step inside, and you'll immediately notice the spaciousness of the cabin. The Serena is designed to carry up to eight passengers comfortably, with wide sliding doors for easy entry and exit. The seats are cushioned, and the second-row captain chairs in the Highway Star variant offer excellent comfort for long trips. Plus, the third-row seats can be easily folded to accommodate more luggage or bulky items.
• Cabin Quality: The interior is mostly plastic but solidly built. The materials feel durable, which is ideal for families with kids.
• Convenience Features: Multiple USB charging points, automatic air conditioning, and a touchscreen infotainment system keep passengers entertained and comfortable.
• Noise Isolation: The e-POWER system ensures a quiet ride, especially at lower speeds, where the electric motor does most of the work.
The e-POWER system is where the Serena sets itself apart from traditional MPVs. Here’s a breakdown of how it performs:
• Hybrid Powertrain: The 1.4L gasoline engine doesn’t directly drive the wheels but serves as a generator to charge the battery. The electric motor powers the wheels, giving it a more electric-vehicle-like driving experience with smooth, immediate acceleration.
• Power Output: The system delivers about 136 horsepower, which is adequate for city driving and the occasional highway cruise. While not a powerhouse, it’s enough for the vehicle’s size and purpose.
• Fuel Efficiency: The Serena shines in terms of fuel economy. In urban settings like Singapore, it delivers impressive mileage by maximizing the use of its electric motor during stop-and-go traffic.
• Driving Experience: It’s not designed to be sporty, but it offers a stable, smooth, and comfortable ride. The e-POWER system delivers instant torque, making it more responsive at lower speeds, which is great for city driving. On highways, it cruises comfortably but doesn’t feel overly powerful.
Nissan’s Safety Shield technologies are a key selling point for the Serena. It includes:
• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking for enhanced safety in city traffic.
• Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring, which are crucial when navigating narrow streets or changing lanes on busy highways.
• 360-Degree Camera system that makes parking this large MPV much easier in tight Singaporean parking spaces.
This is where the Nissan Serena really excels. It’s a family MPV, so practicality is key:
• Flexible Seating Configuration: You can configure the seats in various ways depending on the number of passengers and cargo. The second and third-row seats are highly adjustable, offering more legroom or extra luggage space as needed.
• Cargo Space: With all seats in place, the Serena offers decent cargo space, but when you fold the third row, it transforms into a large, practical vehicle for hauling goods or family luggage.
The Nissan Serena 1.4 e-POWER Highway Star is a solid choice for families in Singapore who value space, safety, and fuel efficiency over flashy design or high performance. It’s one of the more practical MPVs available, offering a smooth and comfortable ride with low running costs, thanks to the hybrid system. While it may not be the most exciting vehicle to drive, its blend of practicality, modern tech, and family-friendly features make it a top contender in the family MPV segment.
