Verdict
The RM9,312-cheaper Nissan Leaf is the quicker electric choice, reaching 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and carrying a 40.0 kWh battery rated for 270 km, while its RM100 annual road tax is RM337 below the CR-V’s. But the Honda CR-V is the more useful family car: its 589-litre boot beats the Leaf’s 435 litres, and it brings 1,993 cc hybrid petrol backup for longer journeys. It is also 211 mm longer, with rear air vents, adaptive cruise control and a far richer cabin specification. Choose based on charging access versus space and trip flexibility.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you need the 589-litre boot, 57-litre petrol tank and better rear-seat, driver-assistance and cabin equipment for family use.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if home or destination charging suits your routine and you want 270 km of rated EV range, 7.9-second acceleration and RM100 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Honda CR-V RM178,200; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
- Powertrain: CR-V has 181 hp and 335 Nm from two motors plus a 1,993 cc hybrid petrol engine; Leaf has one 148 hp, 320 Nm motor and a 40.0 kWh battery.
- Performance: CR-V 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and 185 km/h; Leaf 7.9 seconds and 155 km/h.
- Space: CR-V boot 589 litres and length 4,691 mm; Leaf boot 435 litres and length 4,480 mm.
- Running figures: CR-V road tax RM437/year and rated economy 7 L/100 km; Leaf road tax RM100/year and rated EV range 270 km.
- Charging: CR-V has no stated charging rate; Leaf charges at 6.6 kW AC and 50.0 kW DC.
CR-V
- 589-litre boot, 154 litres larger than the Leaf’s.
- 181 hp and 335 Nm, plus a 57-litre petrol tank.
- Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and blind-spot information.
- RM9,312 more expensive and RM337/year higher in road tax.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 8.9 seconds versus 7.9 seconds.
- No stated EV range or AC/DC charging capability.
Leaf
- 40.0 kWh battery with 270 km rated EV range.
- Quicker 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM100 annual road tax and 6.6 kW AC/50.0 kW DC charging.
- 435-litre boot is 154 litres smaller than the CR-V’s.
- No rear air vents; the CR-V gets dual-zone climate control and rear vents.
- Manual front seats and passive cruise control, against the CR-V’s powered seats and adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,200 | RM168,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM437 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 146 hp | — |
| Torque | 190 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 81 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13.9 | — |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm✓ | 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 | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,691 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,866 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,681 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,701 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,616 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 57 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 589 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 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 | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 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 | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags | 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 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 with Remote Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 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.
Used CR-V & Leaf for sale
CR-V vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Honda CR-V or Nissan Leaf better?
The CR-V is better for carrying people and luggage, with a 589-litre boot, rear air vents and petrol-hybrid trip flexibility. The Leaf is better for an EV-based routine: it costs RM9,312 less, does 270 km rated range and reaches 100 km/h 1.0 second sooner.
What is the price difference?
The Honda CR-V costs RM178,200 and the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, so the CR-V is RM9,312 more expensive. Their annual road tax is RM437 and RM100 respectively, adding a RM337 yearly advantage for the Leaf.
Can the Nissan Leaf suit longer Malaysian trips?
The Leaf has a 40.0 kWh battery, 270 km rated range, 6.6 kW AC charging and 50.0 kW DC charging. The CR-V has a 57-litre petrol tank and 7 L/100 km rated economy, so it does not depend on charging between refuelling stops.