Nissan Elgrand Highway Star vs Serena e-Power: Which Japanese People Mover Fits Your Big Family?
Big families need space, comfort, and reliability. Japan's domestic market is full of excellent people movers that never officially reached many overseas markets. Two standouts are the Nissan Elgrand Highway Star and the Nissan Serena e-Power. Both seat eight, both are popular with importers, and both can be sourced through an exporter like GULJI TRADERS.
Why Japanese People Movers Are Worth Importing
Japanese MPVs are typically well-maintained, low-mileage, and free from the rust that plagues cars from harsher climates. The auction system gives buyers access to detailed condition reports. For families who need three rows of seats without paying premium new-car prices, a used Japanese import is a practical route.
Nissan Elgrand Highway Star: The Full-Size Luxury Cruiser
The Elgrand is Nissan's flagship minivan. The Highway Star trim adds sporty exterior styling, alloy wheels, and a more upscale cabin. Inside you get eight seats, often with captain's chairs in the second row, twin power sliding doors, and plenty of legroom. Engine choices include a 2.5-litre or 3.5-litre V6 petrol, delivering smooth, quiet cruising. Most are 2WD, but 4WD versions exist.
A Nissan Elgrand Highway Star import makes sense if you regularly carry seven or eight people and want long-distance comfort. The trade-off is fuel consumption and, in Ireland, a higher Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) because of the larger engine's CO2 and NOx emissions.
Nissan Serena e-Power: The Efficient Hybrid Family Shuttle
The Serena e-Power uses a series hybrid system: a small 1.2-litre petrol engine generates electricity, and an electric motor drives the wheels. You refuel with petrol; there is no plug. The result is smooth, quiet acceleration and strong fuel economy for a vehicle of this size. It seats eight, has flexible seating arrangements, sliding doors, and on newer models, Nissan's ProPILOT driver assistance.
A Nissan Serena e-Power import from Japan is ideal for city and suburban families. Because its CO2 emissions are much lower than the Elgrand's, VRT in Ireland is significantly cheaper. Some grades offer 4WD for extra traction.
Importing from Japan: Key Steps for Overseas Buyers
The usual route is to buy at a Japanese auction through an exporter such as GULJI TRADERS. They handle bidding, payment, export certificates, deregistration, and shipping. You then pay customs duty (10% on the CIF value in the EU), VAT (23% in Ireland), and VRT before you can register the car.
If you plan to import Nissan Elgrand to Ireland, budget carefully for VRT. The Elgrand's larger petrol engine puts it in a high emissions band. The Serena e-Power sits in a much lower band. You will also need an NCT after registration, and a rear fog light is often required. Because Japan and Ireland both drive on the left, headlights and the driving position are already compatible. The speedometer reads in km/h, which is correct for Ireland.
Which One Should You Import?
Choose the Elgrand Highway Star if maximum space, luxury, and motorway comfort matter most. Choose the Serena e-Power if fuel economy, lower running costs, and cheaper registration are priorities. Both are reliable, both seat eight, and both are well-suited to big families.
Final Thoughts
Importing a Japanese people mover can give you a better spec for less money than buying locally. Work with a reputable exporter like GULJI TRADERS to avoid paperwork headaches. Whether you import a Nissan Elgrand Highway Star or a Serena e-Power, research your local compliance rules and taxes first.
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