Verdict
The Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, just RM1,799 below the Volvo V40 at RM170,687, but they serve very different routines. The Leaf’s 40 kWh battery, 270 km range and 50 kW DC charging make it the lower-road-tax choice at RM100 a year, while its 435-litre boot is 100 litres larger. The V40 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds against 7.9 seconds, and brings a 240 km/h top speed, 62-litre petrol tank and more driver-assistance equipment. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the Leaf makes the stronger practical case; regular long-distance drivers will find the V40 simpler to refuel.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you have reliable charging and want 270 km of electric range, RM100 annual road tax and a 435-litre boot.
Pick the Volvo V40 if you need petrol refuelling, 6.3-second 0-100 km/h pace and its wider suite of parking, seat and safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Leaf RM168,888; Volvo V40 RM170,687.
- Powertrain: Leaf 148 hp/320 Nm motor with 40 kWh battery; V40 245 hp/350 Nm 1,969 cc turbo petrol engine.
- Performance: Leaf 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and 155 km/h; V40 6.3 seconds and 240 km/h.
- Practicality: Leaf 435-litre boot and 2,690 mm wheelbase; V40 335 litres and 2,647 mm.
- Annual road tax: Leaf RM100; V40 RM365.
- Charging/fuelling: Leaf 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging; V40 62-litre petrol tank.
Leaf
- 270 km EV range from a 40 kWh battery.
- 435-litre boot, 100 litres larger than the V40's.
- Around View Monitor and built-in navigation.
- Slower 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.3 seconds.
- No blind-spot information system, front or rear parking sensors, or auto parking.
- Manual front seats and single-zone climate control versus the V40's powered memory seat and dual-zone system.
V40
- 245 hp and 350 Nm, with 6.3-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- City Safety detects pedestrians and cyclists; also gets blind-spot information.
- Power-adjustable eight-way driver’s seat with memory, dual-zone climate control and auto parking.
- RM265 higher annual road tax.
- 335-litre boot is 100 litres smaller than the Leaf's.
- No reverse camera or navigation, where the Leaf has an Around View Monitor and navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,888✓ | RM170,687 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM365 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 245 hp |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Nissan | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 143 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,369 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,439 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,647 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,521 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave EC300 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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 | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric 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 outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | City Safety with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable 8-Way, Memory for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with CleanZone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers | 7" DVD/MP3 Player with 8 Speakers |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) | — |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 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 Leaf & V40 for sale
Leaf vs V40 FAQ
Is the Nissan Leaf or Volvo V40 better?
The Leaf is better for buyers with dependable charging who prioritise 270 km electric range, lower road tax and luggage space. The V40 is better for faster acceleration, petrol refuelling and extra safety and convenience equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo V40 costs RM1,799 more than the Nissan Leaf.
Which one is cheaper to tax and more practical?
The Leaf has RM100 annual road tax against the V40’s RM365, and its 435-litre boot is 100 litres larger than the Volvo’s 335-litre space.