BYD Seal vs Nissan Leaf
Verdict
For a RM2,912 higher sticker price, the BYD Seal gives a Malaysian buyer a much bigger EV envelope: 308 hp versus 148 hp, 570 km range versus 270 km, and 150 kW DC charging versus 50 kW. It is also the larger car, with a 2,920 mm wheelbase against the Nissan Leaf’s 2,690 mm. The Leaf fights back with a hatchback body, 435 litres of boot space and a space-saver spare, but on paper the Seal buys you far more battery, performance and cabin kit.
Pick the BYD Seal if you want longer range, faster DC charging, stronger performance and more driver-assist and cabin equipment.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want the lower entry price, hatchback practicality, a bigger boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
Key differences
- Power: BYD Seal 308 hp; Nissan Leaf 148 hp
- Range: BYD Seal 570 km; Nissan Leaf 270 km
- DC charging: BYD Seal 150 kW via CCS; Nissan Leaf 50.0 kW via CHAdeMO
- Acceleration: BYD Seal 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds; Nissan Leaf in 7.9 seconds
- Boot space: BYD Seal 400 litres; Nissan Leaf 435 litres
- Warranty: BYD Seal 6 years/150,000 km; Nissan Leaf 3 years/100,000 km
Seal
- Much stronger 308 hp motor and quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 82.56 kWh LFP battery gives a 570 km range
- Richer kit: ventilated powered front seats, panoramic glass roof, HUD and adaptive cruise control
- Smaller 400-litre boot than the Leaf’s 435 litres
- No spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit
- Higher annual road tax at RM335 versus RM100
Leaf
- Lower price at RM168,888 versus RM171,800
- Hatchback body with the larger 435-litre boot
- Space-saver spare tyre included
- Far shorter 270 km range than the Seal’s 570 km
- Slower 50.0 kW DC charging versus 150 kW
- Less driver-assist kit: no blind spot monitoring or lane keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 171,800 | RM 168,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 82.56 kWh✓ | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | 570 km✓ | 270 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 1 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW✓ | 6.6 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CHAdeMO |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW✓ | 50.0 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Nissan |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.9 seconds✓ | 7.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 2,055 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 400 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R19 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R19 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective Damping | 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio System | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 335 | RM 100✓ |
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.
Seal vs Leaf FAQ
Is the BYD Seal or Nissan Leaf better?
The BYD Seal is the stronger all-round EV on paper, with more power, more than double the battery capacity, longer range, faster charging and more equipment. The Nissan Leaf mainly answers with hatchback practicality and a lower price.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Seal costs RM171,800, while the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888. That makes the Seal RM2,912 more expensive before running costs such as road tax.
Which one is better for long-distance driving?
The BYD Seal is the easier pick for long trips: it has a 570 km range and 150 kW DC charging. The Nissan Leaf is rated at 270 km and 50.0 kW DC charging.