Nissan Serena engines

The Nissan Serena is a Japanese minivan vehicle manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. since 1991. The 5th generation of the model has been produced since 2016. The name of the car comes from the Latin word “serēnus”, meaning “clean / calm”. Initially, the car was made for the Japanese market, and since 1992 – for the international in left-hand drive design at a factory in Spain. Cars were also produced in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and several other countries.

Nissan Serena, 1st generation (C23), 1991–2002

First generation Nissan Serena, 1991–2002 The first generation of the Nissan Serena minivan was produced in Japan from 1991 to 1999, and in 1992, the left-hand drive version of the car (including the van body under the names Nissan Vanette E and Quest Cargo) began to be assembled in Spain. In the cabin, the car could have five or eight seats. The range of engines consisted of 1.6 and 2-liter gasoline units with a capacity of 100 and 130 hp, respectively, as well as 2-liter naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines (76, 91 and 97 hp). In 1995, a 2.3 turbodiesel was installed on the European Serena, which developed 135 hp. The car had modifications with rear and all-wheel drive, gearboxes – a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

Nissan Serena, 2nd generation (С24), 1998–2012

First generation Nissan Serena, 1998–2012 The second generation of the model debuted in the Japanese market in 1999; in Europe, the Nissan Serena was no longer produced or sold. The basic version became front-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive transmission was offered for a surcharge. The minivan, which existed in seven- and eight-seater versions, was equipped with 2.0 (147 hp) and 2.5 (160 hp) gasoline engines, as well as 2.0 (145 hp) and 2.5 (150 hp) diesel engines, which were aggregated with a four-speed automatic transmission or a variator. The assembly of the version of this model was also organized in China, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Nissan Serena, 3rd generation (С25), 2005–2011

First generation Nissan Serena, 2005–2011 The eight-seat third-generation minivan lasted on the assembly line from 2005 to 2010, having survived a light restyling in 2008. As before, the Nissan Serena had modifications with front- or all-wheel drive. There was only one power unit – a two-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 137 hp paired with a continuously variable variator. A copy of the Serena was also sold in the Japanese market under the name Suzuki Landy.

Nissan Serena, 4th generation (С26), 2010–2016

First generation Nissan Serena, 2010–2016 The fourth generation Nissan Serena minivan was produced from 2010 to 2016. The car was equipped with a two-liter gasoline engine with direct injection, developing 144 or 147 hp (on front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, respectively). All versions were equipped with a stepless variator. In Japan, a copy of the model was produced under the name Suzuki Landy.

Nissan Serena, 5th generation, 2016

First generation Nissan Serena, 2016 The fifth generation of the Nissan Serena minivan has been produced in Japan since 2016. The car is sold in the local market, as well as in some Asian countries with left-hand traffic.

The machine was created as a result of a deep modernization of the previous model. The former dimensions and the general layout of the cabin have been preserved, but the design of the car is new – with “two-story” lighting equipment and a massive radiator grille. The interior has a new front panel with a modern design, a large screen of the multimedia system and another color screen of the instrument panel. The Nissan Serena still has three rows of seats, and the side sliding doors are powered and have a contactless opening function from the outside.

The minivan is equipped only with a hybrid power plant. Under the hood of the car is a 147 hp two-liter gasoline engine, a CVT and a small electric motor that develops 2.4 hp.

Nissan Serena became the brand’s first mass-produced car equipped with an autopilot. The system, branded as ProPilot, operates on highways at speeds between 30 and 100 km/h. After turning on the autopilot, the car independently keeps its lane, focusing on the marking lines, maintains the speed, controls the distance to the car in front, and, if necessary, is able to slow down to a complete stop. In the future, it is planned to give the autopilot new “abilities”.

The Nissan Serena was offered with 10 engines since 1991 (3 diesel, 7 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.2 to 2.5 liters, power output from 65 to 165 hp. 8 use a timing chain and 2 a timing belt. 1 is turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan SR20DE (about 400,000 km).

Nissan Serena engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Nissan Serena 1 (C23) 1991–2002
Nissan SR20DE1991–20002.0 L R4130–165 hppetrolchain4 L~400,000 km
Nissan CD201991–19932.0 L R475 hpdieselbelt5.7 L~275,000 km
Nissan CD20T1991–20022.0 L R490 hpdiesel, turbobelt5.5 L~230,000 km
Nissan LD201991–20012.0 L R465 hpdieselchain4.7 L~350,000 km
Nissan KA24DE1993–20022.4 L R4140–155 hppetrolchain4.1 L~350,000 km
Nissan Serena 2 (C24) 2001–2012
Nissan QR25DE2001–20052.5 L R4152 hppetrolchain5.1 L~300,000 km
Nissan QR20DE2002–20122.0 L R4147 hppetrolchain3.9 L~300,000 km
Nissan Serena C25 2005–2010
Nissan MR20DE2005–20102.0 L R4133 hppetrolchain4.4 L~350,000 km
Nissan Serena C26 2010–2016
Nissan MR20DD2010–20162.0 L R4140–150 hppetrolchain3.8 L~220,000 km
Nissan Serena 5 (C27) 2018–present
Nissan HR12DE2018–present1.2 L R379–84 hppetrolchain3.2 L~250,000 km

Nissan Serena engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Nissan Serena?

Nissan Serena 1 (C23) (1991–2002): Nissan SR20DE, Nissan CD20, Nissan CD20T, Nissan LD20 and Nissan KA24DE; Nissan Serena 2 (C24) (2001–2012): Nissan QR25DE and Nissan QR20DE; Nissan Serena C25 (2005–2010): Nissan MR20DE; Nissan Serena C26 (2010–2016): Nissan MR20DD; Nissan Serena 5 (C27) (2018–present): Nissan HR12DE.

Which Nissan Serena engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Nissan Serena engines are: Nissan SR20DE — about 400,000 km; Nissan KA24DE — about 350,000 km; Nissan LD20 — about 350,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Nissan Serena engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan CD20 — 5.7 L (10W-30); Nissan CD20T — 5.5 L (10W-30); Nissan HR12DE — 3.2 L (5W-30); Nissan KA24DE — 4.1 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan LD20 — 4.7 L (10W-40); Nissan MR20DD — 3.8 L (5W-30); Nissan MR20DE — 4.4 L (0W-30 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-60 / 15W-40); Nissan QR20DE — 3.9 L (0W-30 / 5W-20 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-60 / 15W-40 / 20W-20); Nissan QR25DE — 5.1 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Nissan SR20DE — 4 L (5W-30, 5W-40).

Does the Nissan Serena have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Nissan HR12DE, Nissan KA24DE, Nissan LD20, Nissan MR20DD, Nissan MR20DE, Nissan QR20DE, Nissan QR25DE and Nissan SR20DE; timing belt: Nissan CD20 and Nissan CD20T. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Nissan Serena available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Nissan CD20, Nissan CD20T and Nissan LD20.

Engine details

Nissan LD20

1980–2001 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 65 hp · chain

A reliable, long-lived diesel with a cast-iron block and head.

Nissan KA24DE

Nissan KA24DE

1988–2004 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 140–155 hp · chain

Nissan SR20DE

Nissan SR20DE

1989–2002 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 130–165 hp · chain

This is a fairly reliable power unit without any pronounced weaknesses. On the forums, they regularly complain only about floating speed due…

Nissan CD20

Nissan CD20

1990–2000 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 75 hp · belt

You can’t call the fuel system capricious, but it really doesn’t like bad fuel.

Nissan CD20T

Nissan CD20T

1991–2002 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 90 hp · belt

On specialized forums, they often complain about the airing of the cooling system.

Nissan QR20DE

Nissan QR20DE

2000–2012 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 147 hp · chain

Until 2004, power units were constantly flooded with candles during cold starts, the catalyst was destroyed from excess fuel, and its crumbs…

Nissan QR25DE

Nissan QR25DE

2000–present · 2.5 L R4 · petrol · 152 hp · chain

Until 2004, motors were equipped with not very durable catalysts, which quickly collapsed, and their crumbs were sucked into the combustion chambers.…

Nissan MR20DE

Nissan MR20DE

2005–2020 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 133 hp · chain

This unit is very reliable and does not have any serious design flaws, however, many owners complain about oil consumption, and sometimes…

Nissan HR12DE

Nissan HR12DE

2010 · 1.2 L R3 · petrol · 79–84 hp · chain

This is a reliable motor, on the forums they regularly complain only about excessive vibrations.

Nissan MR20DD

Nissan MR20DD

2010–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 140–150 hp · chain

It is necessary to be careful when tightening the bolts and candles, the cylinder head cracks easily here.

Models with the same engines

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