The all-new C28 sixth generation 2023 Nissan Serena was announced for Japan in November last year, initially with a 2.0-litre naturally aspired MR20DD engine (150 PS / 200 Nm). Bookings for the fuel-sipping series-hybrid 1.4-litre e-Power variant (HR14DDe, 163 PS / 315 Nm) followed later in February 2023.

Now, Nissan has revealed it has collected over 20,000 bookings for the Serena e-Power variant in just two months. Deliveries will begin on 20-April.

Nissan adds that e-Power variants now contribute more than half of all Nissan Serena sales in Japan.

The most popular body color is Prism White, followed by Diamond Black, while the Prism White/Super Black two-tone color combination is also well received.

Cumulative sales of the Nissan Serena have now crossed 2 million units, making it one Japan’s of most successful minivans in its class.

The C28 generation Nissan Serena e-Power uses a larger 1.4-litre capacity HR14DDe engine, replacing the previous C27 generation e-Power’s 1.2-litre HR12DE.

As before, e-Power is a series-hybrid, meaning that the 1.4-litre naturally aspirated 98 PS / 123 Nm engine doesn’t drive the wheels. Instead, it works as a generator to charge the lithium-ion high voltage battery powering the EM57 163 PS / 315 Nm drive motor that turns the front wheels.

This setup allows the engine to spin at a constant, optimum energy efficiency engine speed to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption.

The C28 generation 2023 Nissan Serena e-Power has a claimed fuel consumption of between 4.9-litre / 100 km to 5.4-litre / 100 km, depending on variant. Figures are based on the newer, more stringent WLTC test cycle.

The C28 generation Serena is no longer offered with the S-Hybrid engine, which despite its name, was never a real hybrid (calling it a mild-hybrid is technically acceptable but is pushing the limits). S-Hybrid is merely a regular 2.0-litre MR20DD engine with an uprated SM24 starter motor that gives 2.6 PS of boost – too low to deliver any meaningful boost in performance.

Prices for the Japanese market C28 Nissan Serena e-Power starts from 3.499 million Yen to 4.79 million Yen. It competes against the Toyota Noah / Toyota Voxy and Honda StepWgn.

Closer to our region, Nissan already sells the Serena e-Power in Singapore, but this is the outgoing C27 generation 1.2-litre model.

In Malaysia, the C27 generation 2.0-litre Nissan Serena S-Hybrid sells for between RM 149,888 to RM 162,888, locally assembled (CKD) at Tan Chong’s plant in Serendah.