Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM27,800 more than the RM225,000 Hyundai Santa Fe, and its RM439 annual road tax is RM319 higher. That buys 201 hp, 300 Nm and a quoted 7.6-second 0-100 km/h, but not family capacity: the Santa Fe has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase against five seats, 476 litres and 2,692 mm. For Malaysian family duty, the Hyundai is the clearer buy, helped by its eight-year/160,000-km warranty, 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree monitor. Choose the X1 for its smaller footprint and pace.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want 201 hp, 300 Nm and a quoted 7.6-second 0-100 km/h in a shorter 4,500-mm SUV.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot, lower RM120 road tax and longer warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Annual road tax: BMW X1 RM439; Hyundai Santa Fe RM120.
- Petrol-engine output: BMW X1 201 hp and 300 Nm; Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW X1 4,500 mm and 2,692 mm; Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm.
- Seating and boot space: BMW X1 five seats and 476 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW X1 two years with unlimited mileage; Hyundai Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km.
X1
- 201 hp, 300 Nm and a quoted 7.6-second 0-100 km/h.
- Adaptive LED projector headlamps and Parking Assistant.
- Shorter 4,500-mm body for tighter parking spaces.
- Five seats and a 476-litre boot versus seven seats and 628 litres.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus eight years/160,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats, 628-litre boot and 2,815-mm wheelbase.
- 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping and 360-degree monitor.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty and RM120 annual road tax.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm petrol-engine output versus 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the BMW's space-saver spare tyre.
- LED reflector headlamps rather than adaptive LED projectors, and no auto-parking system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
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 X1 & Santa Fe for sale
X1 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for most families, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags and lower road tax. The BMW X1 suits buyers who prioritise a smaller body and its quoted 7.6-second 0-100 km/h performance.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is RM27,800 cheaper than the BMW X1. It also has RM319 lower annual road tax, at RM120 versus RM439.
Which SUV has more useful safety equipment?
The Santa Fe has the broader listed package: 10 airbags, steering-correction lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor. The X1 has six airbags, lane-keeping warning and a reversing camera, but adds Parking Assistant.
