Research

Maxus V80 vs Nissan Leaf

Maxus V80

Maxus V80

Verdict

The Maxus V80 and Nissan Leaf solve very different jobs. The V80 is a 5,700 mm diesel commercial with two seats, a manual gearbox, 330 Nm and an 80-litre tank, so it is the workhorse choice. The Leaf is a 4,480 mm C-segment electric hatch with five seats, a 40.0 kWh battery, 270 km range and a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time. For a Malaysian buyer, this is less about size than use case: cargo and cost control, or passengers and EV running.

V80

Pick the Maxus V80 if you need a large two-seat diesel commercial vehicle with a manual gearbox, front-wheel drive and an 80-litre fuel tank.

Leaf

Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want a five-seat electric hatchback with 270 km range, six airbags and auto emergency braking.

Key differences

  • Price: Maxus V80 RM102,076; Nissan Leaf RM168,888
  • Seats: Maxus V80 2; Nissan Leaf 5
  • Powertrain: Maxus V80 2,499 cc diesel manual; Nissan Leaf single-motor EV single-ratio automatic
  • Power: Maxus V80 136 hp; Nissan Leaf 148 hp
  • Size: Maxus V80 5,700 mm long; Nissan Leaf 4,480 mm long
  • Road tax: Maxus V80 RM839/year; Nissan Leaf RM100/year

V80

  • Much larger body at 5,700 mm long and 2,552 mm tall
  • 330 Nm diesel torque and 80-litre fuel tank
  • Lower purchase price than the Leaf
  • Only two seats
  • Two airbags and no listed auto emergency braking
  • Manual gearbox only

Leaf

  • Five seats and 435-litre boot
  • 270 km EV range from a 40.0 kWh battery
  • Six airbags and auto emergency braking
  • Costs RM66,812 more than the V80
  • Shorter and narrower than the V80
  • No fuel tank option if charging access is an issue
Price & overview
PriceRM 102,076RM 168,888
Body typeCommercialHatchback
SegmentCommercialC-Segment
AssemblyCKDCBU
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-valve, common-rail direct fuel injection, turbodiesel
Capacity2,499 cc
Horsepower136 hp
Torque330 Nm
Cylinder ArrangementInline
FuelDieselElectric
Bore92 mm
Compression Ratio17.5
Number of Motors1
Motor Horsepower148 hp
Motor Torque320 Nm
Battery TypeLithium-ion
Battery Capacity40.0 kWh
EV Range270 km
Charger Type (AC)Type 1
Charging Rate (AC)6.6 kW
Charger Type (DC)CHAdeMO
Charging Rate (DC)50.0 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionManualSingle Ratio Automatic
Transmission Name5 Speed ManualConstant Ratio Gearbox for EV
Gears5
Transmission ManufacturerNissan
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h7.9 seconds
Rated Economy9.1 L/100 km
Top Speed155 km/h
Dimensions
Length5,700 mm4,480 mm
Width2,383 mm1,790 mm
Height2,552 mm1,540 mm
Wheelbase3,850 mm2,690 mm
Weight3,500 kg1,544 kg
Fuel Tank80 litres
Doors65
Seats25
Boot Space435 litres
Front Tyre215/75R16215/50R17
Rear Tyre215/75R16215/50R17
Spare TyreFull-size 16" SteelSpace Saver
Factory TyresDunlop Enasave EC300
Chassis
AssemblyMalaysia (CKD)Japan (CBU)
ChassisUnibodyUnibody
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionLeaf SpringTorsion Beam
Front Wheels16" Steel17" Alloy
Rear Wheels16" Steel17" Alloy
Front BrakesVentilated DiscVentilated Disc
Rear BrakesSolid DiscSolid Disc
SteeringRack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis Notese-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking
Safety
AirbagsDriver and PassengerDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Child Safety LockManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts2 Three-point5 Three-point
ISOFIXAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes
Lane-keeping AssistNo
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFront Seats Only
Lighting
HeadlampsHalogen ReflectorLED Projector
TaillampsNormal BulbLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsManual AdjustableManual Adjustment
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conManual Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear Vents with Blower Control
Power Sockets1 Front1 Front
Interior LightingMap LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front
AudioRadio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo WindowsFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartManual KeyKeyless Push Button
LocksRemote Control ActivationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Cruise ControlPassive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Boot OperationManual Operation
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with Around View Monitor (AVM)
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterDigital/Analogue
Parking BrakeElectronic
Convenience Notes6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer
Warranty
Warranty Mileage Manufacturer100,000 km100,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer3 years3 years
Warranty Notes3-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 / yearRM 839RM 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.

V80 vs Leaf FAQ

Is the Maxus V80 or Nissan Leaf better?

The Nissan Leaf is better for family or passenger use, with five seats, six airbags, AEB and 270 km EV range. The Maxus V80 is better if the job is commercial carrying, with a much larger body and diesel running.

What is the price difference?

The Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, while the Maxus V80 costs RM102,076. That makes the Leaf RM66,812 more expensive before considering road tax, which is RM100 per year for the Leaf and RM839 for the V80.

Which one is quicker?

The Nissan Leaf is the only one here with a listed 0-100 km/h figure, at 7.9 seconds, and it has 148 hp. The Maxus V80 has 136 hp and 330 Nm, but its acceleration and top speed figures are not meaningfully listed.

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