Verdict
At RM154,800, the Nissan Serena e-Power saves RM10,200 against the RM165,000 Toyota Innova Zenix and cuts annual road tax from RM435 to RM120. Its 160 hp, 315 Nm electric motor and 280-litre boot suit a seven-seat family load, while the Innova brings an eighth seat, a stronger 174 hp/205 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine and substantially more driver assistance. The Toyota is also 155 mm wider, but the Serena’s 2,870-mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer and it has the more useful powered sliding door.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if lower purchase and road-tax costs, a 280-litre boot and a powered left sliding door matter more than an eighth seat and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Toyota Innova Zenix if you need eight seats, 174 hp petrol performance, 18-inch wheels and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800; Toyota Innova Zenix RM165,000.
- Road tax: Nissan Serena e-Power RM120 per year; Toyota Innova Zenix RM435 per year.
- Seating and boot: Nissan Serena e-Power has 7 seats and 280 litres; Toyota Innova Zenix has 8 seats and 239 litres.
- Powertrain output: Nissan Serena e-Power has a 160 hp/315 Nm motor; Toyota Innova Zenix has a 174 hp/205 Nm engine.
- Size: Nissan Serena e-Power is 4,690 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and has a 2,870-mm wheelbase; Toyota Innova Zenix is 4,760 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and has a…
- Driver assistance: Nissan Serena e-Power has passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist; Toyota Innova Zenix has adaptive cruise control with stop and…
Serena e-Power
- RM10,200 lower purchase price and RM315 lower annual road tax
- 280-litre boot, 41 litres more than the Innova Zenix
- Powered left sliding door and dual-zone automatic climate control
- Seven seats versus the Innova Zenix’s eight
- No lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control or 360-degree camera
- 16-inch wheels versus 18-inch wheels
Innova Zenix
- Eight seats and a full-size 16-inch spare tyre
- 174 hp and 205 Nm from its 1,987-cc petrol engine
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, steering assist and 360-degree camera
- RM10,200 higher purchase price and RM315 higher annual road tax
- 239-litre boot is 41 litres smaller
- No powered sliding door and single-zone climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM154,800✓ | RM165,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM435 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 4-cylinder inline, 16 valve DOHC, Toyota Dynamic Force Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,433 cc | 1,987 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp | 174 hp✓ |
| Torque | 123 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 160 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 315 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.77 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 10-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,760 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,784 kg | 1,595 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 239 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/65R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 16" Steel 205/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle Row Passenger Seats | Available on two outer middle passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front | 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front Cig Socket, 2 Middle Row USB-C, 1 Rear Row Cig Socket |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 Speakers | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation with Split Opening | Powered boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km ePower Components Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Serena e-Power & Innova Zenix for sale
Serena e-Power vs Innova Zenix FAQ
Is the Nissan Serena e-Power or Toyota Innova Zenix better?
The Innova Zenix is better for eight-seat capacity and driver assistance, with adaptive cruise control, steering assist and a 360-degree camera. The Serena e-Power is the better cost-conscious choice, with lower road tax, a larger boot and a powered sliding door.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Innova Zenix costs RM10,200 more than the Nissan Serena e-Power. Its annual road tax is also RM315 higher.
Which MPV has more passenger and luggage capacity?
The Toyota Innova Zenix carries eight people, one more than the Serena e-Power. The Nissan has the larger quoted boot at 280 litres, versus 239 litres for the Toyota.
