Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, RM13,502 more than the Kia Sorento at RM211,498, but its hybrid assistance brings a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor and annual road tax of just RM120 against the Kia’s RM838. Both are front-wheel-drive seven-seat SUVs with 177 hp, six-speed automatics and identical 2,815-mm wheelbases. The Hyundai is the more useful family machine: its 628-litre boot dwarfs the Kia’s 187 litres, and it adds four airbags plus a 360-degree camera. The locally assembled Sorento remains the sensible lower-entry choice, but gives up substantial practicality and warranty cover.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need the 628-litre boot, hybrid assistance, 10 airbags and eight-year/160,000-km warranty.
Pick the Kia Sorento if saving RM13,502 upfront matters more than hybrid assistance, boot volume and the longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia Sorento RM211,498.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; Kia Sorento RM838 per year.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Kia Sorento 187 litres.
- Airbags: Hyundai Santa Fe 10; Kia Sorento 6.
- Petrol-engine torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm; Kia Sorento 232 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Kia Sorento 5 years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Hybrid system includes a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor and 1.49-kWh battery.
- 628-litre boot and 10 airbags.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, 360-degree monitor and navigation.
- RM13,502 dearer to buy.
- No alarm or front foglamps, both fitted to the Sorento.
Sorento
- RM211,498 price and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, automatic high beam and front foglamps.
- Alarm and Tiptronic function are fitted.
- 187-litre boot is 441 litres smaller than the Santa Fe’s.
- No hybrid motor; annual road tax is RM718 higher.
- Six airbags and a five-year/100,000-km warranty trail the Santa Fe.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM211,498✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | 177 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 232 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 88.5 mm × 101.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| 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 | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Kia |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 187 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 8-way Power Adjustable Front 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 Second Row, 50:50 Split-folding Third Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| 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 Second Row, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB, 1 Second Row USB, 2 Third Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 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 & Sorento for sale
Santa Fe vs Sorento FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento better?
The Santa Fe is better for family utility and ownership cover, with a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags, hybrid assistance and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The Sorento is the better choice only if its RM13,502 lower purchase price is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is RM13,502 more expensive than the Kia Sorento: RM225,000 versus RM211,498.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has much lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM838 for the Kia Sorento. That is a RM718 yearly difference.
