Verdict
The Leaf is 30% more powerful, the Leaf has a 29% bigger boot, while the Beetle is about 19% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888 | RM137,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100 | RM55✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 8-valve SOHC with direct fuel injection and turbocharger |
| Capacity | — | 1,197 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 103 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 175 Nm at 1,550 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 71 mm × 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| 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 (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds✓ | 10.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 137 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,278 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,808 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,486 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,537 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,297 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Bridgestone Turanza ER300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Mexico (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 | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| 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 | 50:50 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 5.8" Composition Colour touchscreen radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback and 8 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 sensors |
| 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 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.
