Verdict
At RM168,888, the Nissan Leaf is RM6,112 cheaper and brings the more useful 435-litre boot, but it is an older-fashioned proposition beside the smart #3. The RM175,000 smart has 268 hp to the Leaf’s 148 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds rather than 7.9, and its 49 kWh battery is rated for 325 km versus 270 km. Its 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging also make a real difference to charging stops, while rear-wheel drive, multi-link rear suspension and a much fuller driver-assistance suite strengthen the case for the #3.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want the lower entry price and a 435-litre boot, and can live with 270 km range and slower charging.
Pick the smart #3 if you want 325 km range, far faster 22 kW AC/150 kW DC charging and substantially stronger performance for RM6,112 more.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; smart #3 RM175,000.
- Motor output: Nissan Leaf 148 hp and 320 Nm; smart #3 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- Battery and range: Nissan Leaf 40.0 kWh and 270 km; smart #3 49 kWh and 325 km.
- Charging: Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC; smart #3 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC.
- Performance: Nissan Leaf 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and 155 km/h; smart #3 5.8 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Boot space: Nissan Leaf 435 litres; smart #3 370 litres.
Leaf
- RM6,112 lower purchase price.
- 435-litre boot, 65 litres larger.
- Space-saver spare tyre.
- 270 km range trails the smart #3's 325 km.
- 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging are much slower.
- No blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, parking sensors or adaptive cruise control.
#3
- 268 hp motor and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- Blind-spot monitoring, steering lane-keeping correction and adaptive cruise control.
- RM6,112 more expensive.
- 370-litre boot is 65 litres smaller.
- RM260 annual road tax versus RM100.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888✓ | RM175,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM260 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 148 hp | 268 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm | 343 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh | 49 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 270 km | 325 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | 150 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 4 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 | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & #3 for sale
Leaf vs #3 FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or smart #3 better?
The smart #3 is the stronger all-round choice: it has 325 km range, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging, 268 hp, and more driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Leaf for its larger 435-litre boot and lower price.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM6,112 more than the Nissan Leaf. That gap brings a larger battery, 55 km more rated range, much faster AC and DC charging, and a 120 hp output advantage.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Nissan Leaf has the bigger boot at 435 litres, compared with 370 litres in the smart #3. The Leaf therefore carries 65 litres more luggage despite being only 80 mm longer.