Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the family-first choice: it carries seven people, has a 628-litre boot and adds a 1.49-kWh hybrid battery with a 64-hp motor, while its RM120 annual road tax is far easier on the household budget. The Omoda Jaecoo J8 counters hard on price, costing RM46,200 less, and its 246-hp, 385-Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine is markedly stronger than the Santa Fe’s 177-hp, 265-Nm 1.6-litre unit. But its five seats and 200-litre boot make it less useful for bigger families.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and hybrid assistance with RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want to save RM46,200 while gaining 246 hp, 385 Nm, a panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Sony system.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800.
- Power and torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres; Omoda Jaecoo J8 five seats and 200 litres.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6-litre hybrid with one 64-hp, 264-Nm motor and 1.49-kWh battery; Omoda Jaecoo J8 2.0-litre petrol with no motor or battery.
- Transmission: Hyundai Santa Fe six-speed automatic; Omoda Jaecoo J8 eight-speed automatic.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM439.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Hybrid system with a 1.49-kWh battery and 64-hp motor.
- Eight-year, 160,000-km warranty and RM120 annual road tax.
- RM46,200 more expensive.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm trail the J8’s 246 hp and 385 Nm.
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display or auto parking.
J8
- RM178,800 price, RM46,200 below the Santa Fe.
- 246 hp, 385 Nm and an eight-speed automatic.
- Panoramic sunroof, head-up display, auto parking and 12-speaker Sony audio.
- Five seats and a 200-litre boot versus the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- No hybrid motor or battery assistance.
- RM439 annual road tax and a shorter seven-year, 150,000-km warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM178,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 246 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 385 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,820 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,930 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,820 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,892 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available For Second Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 7 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 Santa Fe & J8 for sale
Santa Fe vs J8 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Omoda Jaecoo J8 better?
The Santa Fe is better for large families because it has seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The J8 is better for buyers prioritising lower entry cost, stronger 246-hp performance and equipment such as a panoramic sunroof and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM178,800 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the J8 is RM46,200 cheaper.
Which SUV is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is decisively more practical: it has seven seats and 628 litres of boot space. The Omoda Jaecoo J8 has five seats and a 200-litre boot.
