Verdict
At RM168,888 for the Nissan Leaf and RM169,000 for the smart #1, the RM112 gap is negligible, but the cars are not. The smart brings a 49 kWh battery, 315 km range and 150 kW DC charging, against the Leaf’s 40 kWh, 270 km and 50 kW, so it is the easier EV to live with beyond regular home charging. It is also much better equipped, including adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The Leaf fights back with a 435-litre boot, 24 litres more than the smart, plus a space-saver spare tyre.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want the larger 435-litre boot, a space-saver spare tyre and a lighter 1,544 kg hatchback.
Pick the smart #1 if you want 315 km range, 150 kW DC charging, 268 hp and far more driver-assistance and cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; smart #1 RM169,000.
- Battery and range: Nissan Leaf 40 kWh and 270 km; smart #1 49 kWh and 315 km.
- Motor output: Nissan Leaf 148 hp and 320 Nm; smart #1 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- DC charging: Nissan Leaf 50 kW; smart #1 150 kW.
- Performance: Nissan Leaf reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds; smart #1 does it in 6.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Nissan Leaf 435 litres; smart #1 411 litres.
Leaf
- 435-litre boot, versus 411 litres.
- Space-saver spare tyre included.
- 236 kg lighter at 1,544 kg.
- 270 km range trails the smart #1’s 315 km.
- 50 kW DC charging is one-third of the smart #1’s 150 kW rate.
- No blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
#1
- 49 kWh battery and 315 km EV range.
- 150 kW DC charging and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and powered front seats.
- 411-litre boot is 24 litres smaller than the Leaf’s.
- 1,780 kg kerb weight is 236 kg heavier than the Leaf’s.
- RM260 annual road tax, against RM100 for the Leaf.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888✓ | RM169,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| 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 | 315 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 7.2 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | 150 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 | 6.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,780 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Amps 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 | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking | 5 stars |
| 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, |
| 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 | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, 64-colour Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Yes |
| 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 with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Yes, Powered |
| 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 Mileage Extended | — | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM260 |
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 & #1 for sale
Leaf vs #1 FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or smart #1 better?
The smart #1 is the stronger all-round choice: it has 45 km more range, three times the DC charging rate, 120 hp more and substantially more convenience and safety equipment. Choose the Leaf for its larger boot and space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The smart #1 costs RM112 more than the Nissan Leaf: RM169,000 versus RM168,888. That tiny gap buys a 49 kWh battery, 315 km range, 150 kW DC charging and extensive extra equipment.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #1 charges faster on both AC and DC. Its AC rate is 7.2 kW versus 6.6 kW for the Leaf, while its 150 kW DC rate is three times the Leaf’s 50 kW.