Nissan Serena e-Power Smart 8 Review: The Power of Eight

There’s certainly no question about the popularity of the Serena e-Power in Singapore - in eight out of ten traffic lights you’re stopped at, it usually includes a Serena or two within your line of sight. Not surprising, since it boasts an impressive overall package as a family carrier and has been present in our market for over 6 years.

While it looks identical to the Serena e-Power launched in 2024, the Smart 8 here enters our market to solve something more specific: Offering a seat for that eighth person you’ve probably left out for years.

Smart By Design

The headline feature is, of course, the configurable second row. Instead of prompting you to decide who in your group of eight you like the least, the Smart 8 spares you the awkward conversation via a collapsible centre portion that fits snugly between the two seats in the second row.

And if all you need are 7 seats, an effortless tug-and-slide sequence clears a walkthrough to the third row - ideal for daily use. It’s intuitive, and more importantly, it works in daily life.

Nissan built it to slide forward enough into the front row to offer some elbow support, but what looks like remarkable thinking on paper translates to your elbow resting on the hard plastic rather than the cushion.

The trade-off, however, feels minor considering the flexibility it offers the family versus the discomfort it gives to the driver.

Everyday Ease

The Serena’s e-POWER system pairs a 1.4-litre engine (serving purely as a generator) with an electric motor that, alone, drives the front wheels.

On the move, it feels more EV than hybrid. With 315 Nm of torque delivered instantly, the Serena pulls away smoothly and quietly. There’s no gearbox shuffle, no dramatic surge; just steady, linear progress.

You can activate e-Pedal Step for its one-foot driving experience, where lifting off the accelerator produces stronger deceleration. It works well, though the Serena’s natural throttle and brake calibration already feels well judged without relying on it.

Consumption figures are impressive. Over three days of family duties covering 226 km, it returned 17.9 km/l with 575 km of range remaining.

On the expressway, the Intelligent Cruise Control can be easily activated on the steering control to work with a host of other safety features in managing changing traffic conditions or cars merging abruptly into your lane.

While the drive itself was effortless, the driver's seat didn’t provide much side bolster support, which found me moving in unison with the Serena when taking a turn at most speeds.

Built For The Family

Step inside and the Serena immediately feels airy. The elevated roofline translates into generous headroom for all three rows, and even with every seat occupied, the cabin never feels cramped.

Practical touches are thoughtfully integrated. Second row passengers get built-in sun shades while both passenger rows get dedicated USB-C charging ports, cup holders, and fold-out tables. Tri-zone automatic climate control keeps heads cool on hot days, with dedicated vents for the 2nd and 3rd rows.

While there’s no built-in Google Maps system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect seamlessly to your smartphone, putting familiar navigation and apps directly on the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. In everyday use, the connectivity feels intuitive and fuss-free.

Final Verdict

The Nissan Serena e-POWER Smart 8 adds a little extra to an already popular and obvious MPV choice for families in Singapore.

While the foldable 3rd seat solves one big problem and causes a potentially smaller one, there are plenty of features here to marvel at.

From the split tailgate mechanism to impressive fuel economy, sometimes the smartest solution isn’t picking seven or eight; it’s having the option for both.

Photos by Jegan Das

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