Verdict
The Nissan Leaf is the bigger, quicker hatchback: 148 hp, 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h, 435 litres of boot space, six airbags and auto emergency braking. The Renault Zoe counters with the number that matters most to many Malaysian EV buyers, with a 52.0 kWh battery and 395 km range against the Leaf’s 40.0 kWh and 270 km. It is also RM3,888 cheaper and pays RM50 road tax instead of RM100. Choose space and safety kit, or range and lower running cost.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want the larger C-segment EV with more power, a bigger boot, six airbags and auto emergency braking.
Pick the Renault Zoe if your priority is range, because 395 km from a 52.0 kWh battery beats the Leaf’s 270 km and 40.0 kWh.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; Renault Zoe RM165,000
- Power: Nissan Leaf 148 hp; Renault Zoe 108 hp
- Battery and range: Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh, 270 km; Renault Zoe 52.0 kWh, 395 km
- Size: Nissan Leaf 4,480 mm long; Renault Zoe 4,087 mm long
- Boot space: Nissan Leaf 435 L; Renault Zoe 338 L
- Safety kit: Nissan Leaf 6 airbags and AEB; Renault Zoe 4 airbags and no AEB listed
Leaf
- Stronger 148 hp single-motor output
- Larger 435-litre boot
- Six airbags plus auto emergency braking
- Shorter 270 km EV range
- Smaller 40.0 kWh battery
- Higher RM100 annual road tax
Zoe
- Longer 395 km EV range
- Larger 52.0 kWh battery
- Lower RM50 annual road tax
- Lower 108 hp output
- Smaller 338-litre boot
- Four airbags and no AEB listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888 | RM165,000✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100 | RM50✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 148 hp✓ | 108 hp |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 225 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh | 52.0 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 270 km | 395 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 22.0 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | — |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | Renault |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,087 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,787 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,588 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,502 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 338 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 195/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 195/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| 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 Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 |
| 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) | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| 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 | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain |
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 & Zoe for sale
Leaf vs Zoe FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe better?
The Renault Zoe is better if range is your main concern, with 395 km versus 270 km. The Nissan Leaf is better if you need more space, more power and more safety kit.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM3,888 more than the Renault Zoe.
Which one is more practical for daily family use?
The Nissan Leaf is the more practical family hatchback on size, with a C-segment body, 2,690 mm wheelbase and 435-litre boot. The Zoe is smaller but travels further per charge.
