We've commented on the previous Serena S-Hybrid as "bland yet highly practical" and chose it as our preferred MPV. Well the facelift version is here, and it is anything but bland.

The new changes to the Serena are purely cosmetic. The face has received redesigned LED headlamps with LED signature lamps along with a new grille, bonnet, fender, front bumper and side moulding.

Other changes include a new pattern for the rear LED tail lamps and a new 16-inch wheel design. The CKD facelift has also finally received a space saver spare tyre rather than the CBU's repair kit.

The 2.0-litre MR20DD engine has been carried over from the old Serena, with 145hp @ 5,600rpm and 210Nm of torque @ 4,400rpm, and paired with the XTRONIC CVT gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control.

For now, ETCM has released the estimated price for the Highway Star to be below RM140,000 and the Premium Highway Star to be below RM150,000. We like what we're hearing.