Verdict
The Nissan Leaf costs RM50,375 less at RM168,888 and is the more practical EV choice if you can charge at home: its 40.0-kWh battery is rated for 270 km, with 6.6-kW AC and 50-kW DC charging. It also has a 435-litre boot and 320 Nm. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class counters with 163 hp, a 225-km/h top speed and much richer cabin and parking equipment, including 10.25-inch MBUX, powered memory seats and auto parking. Its 51-litre petrol tank makes it the easier fit for buyers without charging access.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if you want the better-equipped hatchback, 225-km/h top speed and petrol refuelling flexibility.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you have charging access and want to save RM50,375 for a 270-km EV with a larger boot and more torque.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz A-Class RM219,263; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
- Powertrain: A-Class 163 hp/250 Nm 1.332-litre turbo petrol; Leaf 148 hp/320 Nm electric motor.
- Range/energy: A-Class 51-litre petrol tank and 5.7 L/100 km rating; Leaf 40.0-kWh battery and 270-km EV range.
- Top speed: A-Class 225 km/h; Leaf 155 km/h.
- Boot space: A-Class 370 litres; Leaf 435 litres.
- Charging: A-Class has no charging rate; Leaf supports 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging.
A-Class
- 163 hp and 225 km/h top speed.
- 10.25-inch MBUX with 10 speakers and 225W.
- Powered memory front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and auto parking.
- Costs RM50,375 more.
- 370-litre boot is 65 litres smaller.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Leaf's three years.
Leaf
- 40.0-kWh battery with 270-km stated range.
- 320 Nm and a 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 435-litre boot and Around View Monitor.
- 155-km/h top speed is 70 km/h lower.
- Manual front-seat adjustment versus the A-Class' powered memory seats.
- No front or rear parking sensors, and no auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM219,263 | RM168,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM100 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 163 hp | — |
| Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 72.2 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8 seconds | 7.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Co2 | 130 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,419 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,796 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,375 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | 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 | Lowered comfort suspension | 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 Pelvis, 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.25" MBUX Multimedia System with Touchpad, 10 Speakers, 225W | 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 3 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 A-Class & Leaf for sale
A-Class vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or Nissan Leaf better?
The Leaf is the better choice for a buyer with dependable charging, delivering 270 km of stated range, 320 Nm and a larger 435-litre boot. Choose the A-Class if its richer equipment and petrol refuelling convenience matter more than EV driving.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class costs RM50,375 more than the Nissan Leaf: RM219,263 against RM168,888.
Which is quicker, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf is marginally quicker from 0-100 km/h at 7.9 seconds, against 8.0 seconds for the A-Class. The A-Class has the higher top speed, at 225 km/h versus 155 km/h.