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Hello OtoDriver Viewer
This is a Nissan Serena
which had been facelifted in 2015
The base is still the same from previous model, C26.
But already underwent a cosmetic change in its exterior and interior
At the exterior now you can see it features headlights with different curves
Also LED technology in front also in the back
For the Highway Star and Autech Version
it is equipped with an attractive signature lamp in the front
Meanwhile in the back, the rear lamps have a dynamic pattern
As you can see, Serena is a very spacious car
You can acommodate your family easily here
But it drives like a compact car
Thanks to its low height dashboard
The steering wheel also small, not too big
The visibility also amazing through all direction
And with the ergonomic seating position
Tilt and telescopic steering adjusment
I can say that probably driving this car is the most fun in its class
Compare to its rival like Biante and Nav1
It is simply an MPV that gives the user friendliness
and also the best fun to drive feeling in its category
But if you're an adrenaline junky
this is not a car for you, because..
..in term of agility this car is not that good
Just like another high MPV, the body will roll at high speed maneuvre
And the throttle response also..
..a little bit lazy
You have to throttle a little bit deep
before its CVT transmission and engine accelerate the car
But in terms of comfort, and if you like to drive a bit relax
Serena is one of the best in its class
Coz the ride is soft
it also has armrests to relax your driving
also equipped with steering audio controls
A little critic, there are still noises from outside
This is due to a very big glass all around the car
Although that also makes a very good visibility
There's a slightly awkward thing
when you drive straight and you sit precisely in the middle
You can see that the steering wheel is not precisely in front of you
but it has offset like 2 or 3 cm to your left
I don't know why, but..
Not too big a deal, but for you who like to notice details..
..it's a little bit annoying on the road
The previous Serena was notoriously had a poor mileage
It can only do 7 km/l around city
So how about this one?
It has a new CVT gearbox and engine that improves fuel economy
Now in the city, based on our own test at 22 km/h average
it can do 9,3 km/l
And on the highway it returns 13,5 km/l
OK it is still sensible for such a big MPV, but not the most economical in its class
The most economical one is Mazda Biante that can do more than 10 km/l around city
The instrument cluster of this car is like Star Trek
All digital
Speed, RPM, all digital
And it creates..
modern feel. But if we think again..
in the 90's, Mazda 323 Interplay already used digital instrument like this
But anyway..
that indeed makes Serena unique compare to its rivals
On annoying thing is the absence of hill start assist..
so whenever you climb or park the car in a steep hill
when you switch your foot from brake to throttle
The car will roll back
And it risks you hitting someone on the back, since it rolls back quite freely
So it will be very useful if Nissan put hill start assist on this car
Acommodation inside Serena is quite good, as usual
And if you don't have passenger behind, you can roll the seat back for more leg room
The head room also amazing
The seats is originally captain seat, but not purely captain seat
It's more like a normal seat that is divided into three
It has no armrest
If you want one, you need to pull back this console
Tho console itself is quite special, it has compartment, cup holders
Also you can convert it into another seat with 3 points safety belt
However, if you don't need this
You can move the console to the front
So you can slide the seat..
Maybe to move closer to your lover
You want more privacy?
You can pull this curtain
So not only colder inside, people outside also very difficult to peep on you
But if you put this down, you will get massive visibility
And it will be very nice to have when you travel through a beautiful scenery
In front of you there's a small table
Only suitable for small plates, but features 2 cup holders each
So in total..
this car has 11 cup holders, even though can only acommodate 7 people
It also has 4 closed compartments, 3 in front and 1 in the middle
So it has a very good practicality
Overall, sitting in the back of Serena is quite joyful, like a medium MPV should
And it also has..
Individual AC ventilation
for each passenger in all row
And it's on the side, because on the center there's an entertainment system monitor
that can play DVD
So if you really need to..
use a chaffeur
this car is really nice also to be enjoyed at the back.
Back seat folding system is still the same, fold to the side
Not too neat, but still allow you to carry more things
Down here there's also a big compartment, so..
if you lost your child at home..
try to open this compartment
Hei, get out!
Child : How can you know, father?
So, the under floor compartment..
..is big enough even for a 5 years old kid
Serena is not a pefect car, there are areas that still can be improved
But it definitely better then it's predecessor that has a 2 generation gap
The facelift also makes it more modern look
And among its rivals, Serena is the most comfortable
moset practical and most fun todrive
If you want to compare Serena to its rival directly..
You can do it on the building behind me
ICE Building at BSD which will host GIIAS on August 2015
There you can compare them directly
And, Serena also has a competitive price
Since tha price range is from 360-403 million Rupiah by the time we tested it
So that was our review of Nissan Serena
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Put some critics/comments so we can improve in the future
Don't forget to visit otodriver.com
For more comprehensive test data, you can read it on Car Review magazine
See you on our next review