Verdict
The smart #1 wins the key EV numbers: 268 hp against 148 hp, 315 km of range from a 49 kWh battery versus 270 km from 40 kWh, and 150 kW DC charging rather than 50 kW. Its 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time also beats 7.9 seconds. The Leaf counters with a 435-litre boot, 24 litres more than the smart’s, a 236 kg lower kerb weight and RM100 annual road tax against RM260. For Malaysians who use public DC chargers, the smart’s advantage is decisive.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you prioritise its 435-litre boot, lower RM100 annual road tax and included space-saver spare tyre.
Pick the smart #1 if you want substantially faster 150 kW DC charging, 315 km range, stronger performance and far richer driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Motor output: Nissan Leaf 148 hp and 320 Nm; smart #1 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- Battery and range: Nissan Leaf 40 kWh and 270 km; smart #1 49 kWh and 315 km.
- DC charging: Nissan Leaf 50 kW; smart #1 150 kW.
- Acceleration: 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.
- Annual road tax: Nissan Leaf RM100; smart #1 RM260.
Leaf
- 435-litre boot is 24 litres larger.
- Lower RM100 annual road tax.
- Around View Monitor and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 50 kW DC charging trails the smart #1’s 150 kW rate.
- 270 km range and 148 hp fall short of the smart #1’s 315 km and 268 hp.
- No blind spot monitoring or lane-keeping steering correction.
#1
- 150 kW DC charging and 315 km range.
- 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with Highway and Traffic Jam Assist, plus rear autonomous braking.
- 411-litre boot is smaller than the Leaf’s 435 litres.
- RM260 annual road tax is RM160 higher.
- At 1,780 kg, it is 236 kg heavier than the Leaf.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888✓ | RM169,000 |
| 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 | 315 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 7.2 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 | 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 |
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 better for most buyers, with 45 km more range, triple the DC charging rate, 120 hp more and broader active-safety equipment. Choose the Leaf if its larger boot and lower annual road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888 and the smart #1 costs RM169,000, so the smart is RM112 more expensive.
Which EV is better for DC charging?
The smart #1 is clearly better for DC charging at 150 kW, compared with the Nissan Leaf’s 50 kW maximum. Its 49 kWh battery also gives it a 315 km range, against 270 km for the Leaf.