Verdict
The Leaf is about 15% cheaper, while the DS5 is 10% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the DS5 has over the Leaf
What the Leaf has over the DS5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The DS5 is 81 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the DS5: 468 litres against 435.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM198,888 | RM168,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM100 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,030/mo | RM1,725/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,451 | RM4,639✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM2,905 | RM1,316✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.53 | RM6.58✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM42,230 | RM30,277✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 6.1 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 55 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 165 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed automatic | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 202 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Co2 | 169 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,530 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,871 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,538 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,727 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,420 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 468 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R17 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R17 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 16 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Flexible Transverse Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy Canaveral | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy Canaveral | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Electro hydraulic power steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Yes) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Yes | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | Yes | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Yes | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Xenon headlamp | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Front seats with electric lumbar & massage function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Split folding rear seats | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Automatic dual zone air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Yes | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map + Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Yes | 2 Front |
| Audio | — | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Yes | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Yes | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used DS5 & Leaf for sale
Our reviews & guides
DS5 vs Leaf FAQ
How long does charging take?
The Leaf's 40.0 kWh battery takes about 6.1 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 55 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 50 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The DS5 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Leaf is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The DS5 carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 3 years for the Leaf. Leaf: 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.