Verdict
At RM168,888, the Nissan Leaf costs RM3,888 more than the RM165,000 Renault Zoe, yet it is the more powerful car with 148 hp and 320 Nm versus 108 hp and 225 Nm. It is also the larger hatchback, with a 435-litre boot against 338 litres. The Zoe makes the stronger EV case for Malaysian daily use: its 52 kWh battery is rated for 395 km, 125 km beyond the Leaf’s 270 km, and its 22 kW AC charging rate is far higher than 6.6 kW. Both reach 50 kW on DC charging.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want 148 hp, 320 Nm, a 435-litre boot and autonomous emergency braking with six airbags.
Pick the Renault Zoe if longer 395 km range, 22 kW AC charging and a lower annual road tax matter more than outright power and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; Renault Zoe RM165,000.
- Motor output: Nissan Leaf 148 hp and 320 Nm; Renault Zoe 108 hp and 225 Nm.
- Battery and range: Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh and 270 km; Renault Zoe 52.0 kWh and 395 km.
- AC charging: Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW; Renault Zoe 22.0 kW.
- Size and luggage: Nissan Leaf is 4,480 mm long with 435 litres; Renault Zoe is 4,087 mm long with 338 litres.
- Wheels and road tax: Nissan Leaf gets 17-inch alloys and RM100/year; Renault Zoe gets 16-inch alloys and RM50/year.
Leaf
- 148 hp and 320 Nm motor output.
- 435-litre boot, 97 litres larger.
- Six airbags, autonomous emergency braking and around-view monitor.
- 270 km range trails the Zoe by 125 km.
- 6.6 kW AC charging is far below the Zoe’s 22 kW.
- No steering correction, rear parking sensors or telescopic steering adjustment.
Zoe
- 395 km EV range from a 52.0 kWh battery.
- 22 kW AC charging and the same 50 kW DC rate as the Leaf.
- Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers and rear parking sensors.
- 108 hp and 225 Nm trail the Leaf’s 148 hp and 320 Nm.
- 338-litre boot is 97 litres smaller than the Leaf’s.
- No autonomous braking, while the Leaf has it and six airbags.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888 | RM165,000✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100 | RM50✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 148 hp✓ | 108 hp |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 225 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh | 52.0 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 270 km | 395 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 22.0 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | — |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | Renault |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,087 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,787 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,588 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,502 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 338 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 195/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 195/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" 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 |
| 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 front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 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 | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain |
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 Leaf & Zoe for sale
Leaf vs Zoe FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe better?
The Renault Zoe is better for range and AC charging, delivering 395 km and 22 kW. Choose the Nissan Leaf for stronger 148 hp/320 Nm output, a 435-litre boot, autonomous emergency braking and six airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM3,888 more than the Renault Zoe. The Zoe also halves annual road tax, at RM50 versus RM100.
Which one charges faster at home or public AC chargers?
The Renault Zoe charges faster on AC at up to 22 kW, against 6.6 kW for the Nissan Leaf. Both are rated at 50 kW for DC charging.