Nissan Serena C27 and Skyline V37 (2020 facelift)

Two of the most noteworthy Nissans in the lineup, the Serena C27 and the Skyline V37 have been facelifted for the 2020 model year with newly redesigned looks, new features, and so much more. So, what's in store for the minor changes of these Nissans?

2020 Nissan Serena

First off, the updated version of the current-generation Nissan Serena. Starting below the 2.53 million Yen bracket, the C27 minor change features a newly redesigned exterior that looks somewhat noticeable by many. The base Serena now looks like the pre-facelift model's Highway Star variant, while the Highway Star variant now dons a massive grille that stretches toward the front bumper, which is rather odd for Japan's best-selling minivan but either way, the new models featured a redesigned wheels and a revised rearview.

On the inside, the Serena features a revised instrumental panel, optional waterproof seats in case the whole family went canoeing at the riverside, and pretty much it.

The choice of powertrains remains the same as the 2020 Nissan Serena is powered with choice of an MR20DD 2.0L petrol engine with a 1.8kW electric motor bolted on it for the S-HYBRID variant, and the popular choice e-POWER variant where the HR12DE petrol engine serves as a range extender for the 126PS electric motor and while it doesn't need charging like most electric cars do, the e-POWER variant will be getting 26.2km/L of fuel economy in the JC08 scale, which is outdated but rather impressive for a minivan like this.

Promising to be the safest Serena ever made since its launch three years ago, the 2020 Nissan Serena is offered numerous safety features, including a revised ProPilot with improved speed control. With a wide array of safety features that lets the Serena stop automatically, detects blind spots, suppresses false starts, and more, it's no doubt that this is the safest minivan Japanese families can't get enough of.

2020 Nissan Skyline

Next up, is the Nissan Skyline V37, and for the latest minor change, which starts at around 4.3 million Yen, not only the GT-R-styled front face that made the Skyline V37 striking to look at, but it's also the implementation of the brand new ProPilot 2.0 semi-autonomous tech as well as the first-ever VR30DDTT 3.0L Twin Turbo engine but more with that later on because let's look at the design first.

The previous Skyline V37 featured some Infiniti badges unknown to most Japanese customers for numerous reasons but for the 2020 minor change, the Nissan badge is back in the Skyline, and with the GT-R-styled nose slapped onto it, you can see that the luxury sports saloon is starting to take shape but please behave, people, because while the front looks like the GT-R, it's still the Skyline made for the posh gentlemen rather than for speedo boys.

On the inside, nothing's changed a bit, especially the twin monitors on the dashboard where the top one's for display and the bottom one's a touch screen. The double monitors, the steering wheel, the gear lever, they're all the same as last time.

Now, let's talk more about the ProPilot 2.0, which is available in the Skyline V37 minor change. The new and improved tech uses a wide array of sensors capable of hands-free driving while cruising in a single lane, although drivers still need to keep their eyes on the road. It kind of feels like the Autopilot from the Tesla but despite its scary-but-unique hands-free driving, the new feature isn't foolproof though so think smart before using this ultra-smart feature on the highway.

Couple that with numerous safety features and the result is a much safer experience, which is rather un-Skyline-ish, but if you want more for the Skyline, let's talk about performance.

While the Nissan Skyline still retains the Hybrid powertrain with the VQ35HR 3.5L petrol engine bolted to an electric motor, a Li-ion battery, and a 7-speed AT, the facelift introduces the brand new VR30DDTT 3.0L Twin Turbo engine. In the range-topping 400R variant, it produces 405PS of power and 475Nm of torque through the rear wheels and it's mated to a 7-speed AT. The 400R serves as the range-topper of the V37 and if you want something more powerful than the Lexus IS, consider this.

Apart from the engine choices, the 2020 Skyline comes with other features such as the revised Intelligent Dynamic Suspension with Direct Adaptive Steering.

These two recently facelifted Nissans are up for grabs in the midst of the autumn season so those who wanted something family-oriented should go for the Serena while those who wanted a luxury sports saloon that delivers a no-filter drive should go for the Skyline.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.