Nissan Serena S-Hybrid: More for Less
If you are an MPV user or plan to buy an MPV in the very near future, I am sure you would have heard about the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid. You will also hear some comments about the hybrid system, which is bound to be confusing, and a test drive at any Nissan showroom will probably be just around the block, which will not give you much opportunity to evaluate it fully.
Well, we have taken the said vehicle for a full four days last week, and are able to share some insights with you.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid currently is the only ‘hybrid’ MPV available in the country, and therefore, if you are looking at hybrid technology as a way to save on fuel costs, and maybe contribute to the environment, then this is the only model available, and pending the new NAP (National Automotive Policy) announcement, we will not even be sure if the S-Hybrid will be available, unless Tan Chong decides to go into CKD (local assembly). As a matter of fact, the entire Malaysian automotive industry is waiting for the NAP announcement.
A source within the company told me the Serena ‘normal’ is now not available for sale to the general public, citing the model as ‘only for fleet buyers’.
As CBU (fully imported) unit, the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid enjoys the hybrid tax break under the current NAP (which has supposedly run out as of 31st December 2013), and pending the new announcement, whatever stocks that are already here in Malaysia will be what is available until further notice.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is a hybrid by definition, in that it has the two power sources (gasoline engine and electric motor), and energy regeneration items. There is also a ‘spare’ battery that is used to store regenerated energy in the form of electricity, to be used to help power the vehicle.
Unlike the other hybrids available here, the Serena S-Hybrid’s spare battery is a normal lead acid battery placed in the engine compartment, and therefore has limited capacity for storage – which explains why the system only provides ‘assistance’ during initial take-off form standstill (operating between 500 rpm and 2,000 rpm), and provides a mere 1.8 kW (2.44 horsepower) to the base engine, and an additional 53.6 Nm of torque. This additional power is transmitted back to the engine by reversing the current flow through the generator unit, through the fan-belt that is connected to the main pulley.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid also has some features common to fuel-efficient cars here, namely brake energy regeneration, auto stop, and ECO drive mode. The brake energy regeneration mechanism uses energy which would otherwise be wasted during braking, while the engine auto-stop system simply switches off the engine when you come to a stop, (for example, at a traffic light), and automatically re-starts it when you take your foot off the accelerator. Some more sophisticated systems sense the interior temperature/humidity and re-start the engine so that the air-conditioner system can work again.
Now that we have dispensed with the technicalities, how does the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid perform?
The base engine is rated at 147PS at 5,600 rpm, and delivers a maximum torque of 210 Nm. This engine features direct injection, which means that it is potentially more fuel efficient than a conventional port-injection engine. Add the additional torque from the ‘hybrid’ system, and at least on take-off, the Serena S-Hybrid does it smoothly – not rubber-burning-fast, but decently enough. In truth, the base engine is good enough to propel the Serena S-Hybrid around quite decently, provided that the driver is a normal, sane person who wants an MPV, and not a performance car. Drive is to the front wheels through an electronically controlled CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission), which also contributes towards fuel efficiency. In terms of drive train performance, the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid has adequate power for the people likely to buy it.
The Serena S-Hybrid’s fuel consumption is rated at 15.2 kilometres per litre (6.57 litres per 100 kilometres) based on Japan JCOB test cycle. In real world terms, after driving around for approximately 250 kilometres in and around Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, we got 9.6 kilometres per litre, which translates into 10.41 litres per 100 kilometres. Actually this figure is quite reasonable, bearing in mind that this is a huge box on wheels and made to carry up to seven people, and we were driving in heavy traffic for at least half the time.
As an MPV, the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid scores quite high – good headroom for all, nice seats, and a comfortable ride. The third row folds upwards onto the sides – not the best arrangement, as I would have preferred fold-flat seats. However, fold flats do tend to have less cushioning as they have to be made slim so that they can fold away. There is plenty of room for everybody, but like all MPV’s of this sort, if you fill it with its full capacity of passengers, there is not much space left for luggage. Therefore, if you want to travel, it is best as a four or five seater if you need to carry luggage. In addition, the seats can be folded over in many configurations, so moving people or things around in this vehicle would be easy. Dual air-conditioning (front and rear) is something I really appreciate in the Serena S-Hybrid. What I particularly like about the Serena S-Hybrid are the two electric-powered sliding doors, and the keyless entry and keyless start.
The biggest attraction of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid would be the price of RM149,500 which is contributed to largely by the fact that it enjoys the hybrid subsidy. This makes it a very affordable MPV for the user who needs a 7-seater vehicle.
In terms of looks, I have to be honest to say that it is not the most handsome of vehicles, but what can you really do to a large square box? To be fair, I have not yet come across any MPV that really appeals to me, yet.
The final question is whether it is a good buy? Different people will have different motivations for buying, but in a nutshell, the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is quite economical to run, has plenty of space, many great features, and of course, a reasonable price tag.
