Verdict
At RM225,000, the Santa Fe undercuts the RM269,888 MIFA 9 by RM44,888 and makes stronger sense for buyers who want seven seats without stepping into a 5,270-mm MPV. Its 10 airbags and eight-year/160,000-km warranty also beat the Maxus on paper. The MIFA 9 fights back with electric running, a stated 435-km range, 1,010-litre boot and powered sliding doors. It is the more useful people carrier, but its 440-mm greater length and RM220 annual road tax versus RM120 require a clear need for the extra cabin and luggage room.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want the lower entry price, 10 airbags and a longer eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty in a shorter SUV body.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if a 435-km EV range, 1,010-litre boot and powered sliding doors matter more than the extra RM44,888.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888.
- Length: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm; Maxus MIFA 9 5,270 mm.
- Wheelbase and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 2,815 mm and 628 litres; Maxus MIFA 9 3,200 mm and 1,010 litres.
- Airbags: Hyundai Santa Fe 10; Maxus MIFA 9 6.
- Vehicle warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km; Maxus MIFA 9 five years/100,000 km.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Maxus MIFA 9 RM220.
Santa Fe
- RM44,888 lower purchase price
- 10 airbags
- Eight-year/160,000-km warranty
- 628-litre boot versus the MIFA 9's 1,010 litres
- No powered sliding doors
- Six-speaker audio versus eight speakers
MIFA 9
- 435-km stated EV range
- 1,010-litre boot
- Powered sliding doors
- Six airbags versus the Santa Fe's 10
- Five-year/100,000-km vehicle warranty versus eight years/160,000 km
- RM220 annual road tax versus RM120
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM269,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM220 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 241 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | — | 435 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.2 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,200 mm |
| Weight | — | 3,095 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 1,010 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on front passenger and outer two 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 Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED Tail Lights |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Sliding and Folding Second Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 Santa Fe & MIFA 9 for sale
Santa Fe vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Santa Fe is the better all-round buy for lower upfront cost, more airbags and longer vehicle warranty. Choose the MIFA 9 if its EV powertrain, 1,010-litre boot and powered sliding doors are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM44,888 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has the larger boot at 1,010 litres, compared with 628 litres in the Hyundai Santa Fe. Its wheelbase is also 3,200 mm, against 2,815 mm for the Santa Fe.
