Nissan Serena C28

The Nissan Serena is now on its sixth generation and it's ready to tackle against the newest versions of the Toyota Noah/Voxy and Honda StepWGN minivans with its revised design, interior, and fuel-efficient powertrain worth scratching their roofs. Time to have a peek at the new model.

2023 Nissan Serena

Priced at 2,768,700 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the all-new, sixth-generation, Nissan Serena can be somewhat costlier to own than the new Toyota Noah but cheaper to own than the new Honda StepWGN by comparison, meaning this is the second choice of the three new Japanese minivans launched in 2022. For a minivan that is right on the money in today's economy, there's so much to talk about it, starting with its new design.

2023 Nissan Serena

2023 Nissan Serena

2023 Nissan Serena AUTECH

While retaining the boxy design from its predecessors, the new design features a dramatic but radical front face some would call controversial, probably because of the updated expression of Nissan's V-Motion grille. In the normal versions, it looks right but on the high-end Highway Star and e-POWER Luxion versions, the front grille's enlarged to make a huge statement, even with its optional Front Dynamic Pack on. The AUTECH variant, meanwhile, is a massive dark blue showoff in both urban and rural environments. Whichever Serena you're on, the new design made a huge impression, albeit with divided results.

2023 Nissan Serena interior

2023 Nissan Serena interior

Amid the polarizing exterior, the new interior is something the new Serena C28's worth proud of; the spacing that will upset the competition in its class. Sure, the driver's view is totally minimalized while the instrumental panel's digitalized a la Nissan Note, the gear lever was replaced by a set of buttons, and the aircon features touch panels, which is worth a challenge for those wearing gloves, but in terms of passenger space, this is the most family-friendly Serena ever built.

Whether it's a six-seater or an eight-seater, the best-in-class interior and boot space are what made the Serena C28 ahead of the curve. With the two-way tailgate that can be opened either the whole door or the rear window as well as the Hands-Free Auto Slide Door carried over from the C27 predecessor, it's still the most practical Serena ever built for modern Japanese families.

2023 Nissan Serena

Asked about performance, the Nissan Serena C28 is powered by two powertrains. Starting with the 2.0L MR20DD petrol engine, it produces 150PS of power and 200Nm of torque. Mated to a CVT gearbox, it delivers a 13kmpl combined fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards. The e-POWER variants, meanwhile, saw a size increase to its petrol engine that powers the electric motor from the C27's 1.2L to the new model's HR14DDe 1.4L engine. With the new 1.4L petrol engine powering the 120kW EM57 electric motor, it delivers up to 20.6km/L combined fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards. Although not as fuel-efficient as the Noah, it beats the StepWGN e:HEV by a razor-thin margin. Because this is e-POWER, it has a little kick on that thing when you put your foot down.

While the suspension setup is the most enjoyable to drive for a minivan thanks to its rear multilink suspension, the Nissan Serena C28 is, by all means, the safest Serena ever built because of its ProPilot 2.0 carried from the Skyline V37. ProPilot 2.0 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's reminiscent of Tesla's Autopilot in various ways but you get the point. With the ProPilot 2.0 coupled with noteworthy advanced driving aids around it, it's the most technologically-advanced Serena you'll ever drive.

With its questionable looks, best-in-class interior space, the enlarged e-POWER powertrain, the most advanced safety features fitted to a minivan like this, and decent value for money, the Nissan Serena C28 truly is a Japanese minivan adapted for the new normal. As a decent rival to the newest versions of the Toyota Noah/Voxy and the Honda StepWGN, the Nissan Serena C28 is a tour de force in the minivan market with a little drama. Is this the best Japanese minivan you would like to drive?

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.