Verdict
At RM168,888, the Nissan Leaf costs RM200,000 less than the RM368,888 Renault Megane RS, and its RM100 annual road tax is RM179 lower. Its 40 kWh battery gives a stated 270 km range, plus 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging, while the 435-litre boot is 51 litres larger. The Megane RS is the costly performance choice: 296 hp, 420 Nm and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h versus the Leaf's 148 hp, 320 Nm and 7.9 seconds. For daily EV running, take the Leaf; for outright pace and chassis hardware, Renault.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want a 270 km EV with a 435-litre boot, autonomous emergency braking and a RM200,000 lower purchase price.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if its 296 hp, 420 Nm, 5.8-second sprint and Cup suspension matter more than EV range and purchase cost.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; Renault Megane RS RM368,888.
- Power and torque: Nissan Leaf motor 148 hp and 320 Nm; Renault Megane RS 296 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Nissan Leaf 7.9 seconds and 155 km/h; Renault Megane RS 5.8 seconds and 260 km/h.
- Energy storage: Nissan Leaf has a 40.0 kWh battery and 270 km range; Renault Megane RS has a 50-litre petrol tank and 7.9 L/100 km rated economy.
- Boot space: Nissan Leaf 435 litres; Renault Megane RS 384 litres.
- Chassis and wheels: Nissan Leaf has torsion-beam rear suspension and 17-inch wheels; Renault Megane RS has multi-link rear suspension and 19-inch wheels.
Leaf
- RM200,000 cheaper to buy and RM179 cheaper in annual road tax.
- 40 kWh battery, 270 km stated range, 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging.
- 435-litre boot, Around View Monitor and autonomous emergency braking.
- Slower at 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.8 seconds.
- 148 hp and 320 Nm trail the Megane RS's 296 hp and 420 Nm.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension and 17-inch wheels lack the Renault's multi-link setup and 19-inch wheels.
Megane RS
- 296 hp, 420 Nm, 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and 260 km/h top speed.
- Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering, Torsen limited-slip differential and launch control.
- 8.7-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, dual-zone climate control and rear air vents.
- RM200,000 more expensive and RM279 annual road tax versus RM100.
- 384-litre boot is 51 litres smaller than the Leaf's.
- No autonomous braking is listed, while the Leaf gets autonomous emergency braking and a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888✓ | RM368,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 296 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 420 Nm at 2,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 79.7 mm × 90.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.2 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 148 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 270 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 260 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 181 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 384 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 3 Rear |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year | — |
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 Leaf & Megane RS for sale
Leaf vs Megane RS FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or Renault Megane RS better?
The Nissan Leaf is the better fit for lower purchase cost, EV driving and luggage capacity. The Renault Megane RS is decisively quicker, with 296 hp, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and dedicated performance chassis hardware.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM200,000 more than the Nissan Leaf: RM368,888 versus RM168,888. Its annual road tax is also RM179 higher, at RM279 against RM100.
Which has the larger boot?
The Nissan Leaf has the larger boot at 435 litres, compared with 384 litres for the Renault Megane RS. That is a 51-litre advantage for the Leaf.
