Verdict
At RM84,900, the Honda City costs RM83,988 less and is the simpler ownership proposition for a Malaysian buyer who needs a 519-litre boot, rear air vents and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The RM168,888 Nissan Leaf answers with electric running, a 40 kWh battery, 270 km range and 50 kW DC charging, while its 148 hp/320 Nm motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 7.9 seconds. It is much quicker, but its 435-litre boot and 100,000-km vehicle warranty are less generous.
Pick the Honda City if RM83,988 saved, a 519-litre boot, rear vents and unlimited-mileage five-year cover matter more than EV performance.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you can charge regularly and want 320 Nm electric torque, 270 km EV range and a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
- Powertrain: City 119 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre petrol; Leaf 148 hp/320 Nm electric motor.
- Acceleration: City 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds; Leaf in 7.9 seconds.
- Energy use: City rated at 5.6 L/100 km; Leaf has a 40 kWh battery and 270 km EV range.
- Boot space: City 519 litres; Leaf 435 litres.
- Warranty: City five years/unlimited mileage; Leaf three years/100,000 km vehicle warranty.
City
- RM83,988 cheaper to buy
- 519-litre boot is 84 litres larger
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Slower 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.9 seconds
- 145 Nm trails the Leaf's 320 Nm
- Halogen projector headlamps versus LED projectors
Leaf
- 148 hp and 320 Nm electric motor
- 270 km range with 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging
- LED projector headlamps and Around View Monitor
- RM83,988 higher purchase price
- 435-litre boot is 84 litres smaller
- Three-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty versus five years/unlimited mileage
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900✓ | RM168,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| 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 | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" 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, Front and Rear 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | 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 | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | 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 | RM90✓ | RM100 |
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 City & Leaf for sale
City vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Honda City or Nissan Leaf better?
The Honda City is the better buy for lower upfront cost, a larger 519-litre boot and longer unlimited-mileage warranty. Choose the Nissan Leaf for electric driving, 320 Nm and markedly quicker 7.9-second acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM83,988 more than the Honda City: RM168,888 versus RM84,900.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, compared with 435 litres in the Nissan Leaf. Both seat five and have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.