Verdict
The RM34,212 Santa Fe premium buys a much larger seven-seat SUV: its 2,815 mm wheelbase is 145 mm longer, and its 628-litre boot is 313 litres bigger than the Crosstrek’s. Its hybrid-assisted 1.6 litre turbo also develops 177 hp and 265 Nm from 1,500 rpm, against 154 hp and 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, a RM190,788 entry price and a sunroof, but its RM438 annual road tax is RM318 higher. For Malaysian families carrying more people and luggage, the Hyundai’s practical advantage is decisive.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and stronger low-rpm torque for family duty.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a lower RM190,788 price and a smaller five-seat footprint matter more than passenger and cargo capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Seating and boot space: Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Crosstrek 5 seats and 315 litres.
- Power and torque: Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm.
- Driveline: Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Crosstrek all-wheel drive.
- Dimensions: Santa Fe 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase; Crosstrek 4,480 mm and 2,670 mm.
- Warranty: Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Crosstrek 5 years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- 177 hp hybrid-assisted turbo with 265 Nm from 1,500 rpm
- Eight-year, 160,000 km warranty
- RM34,212 dearer
- Front-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek’s all-wheel drive
- No sunroof or front foglamps
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive
- RM34,212 lower purchase price
- Sunroof and front foglamps
- Only five seats and a 315-litre boot
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the Santa Fe
- RM438 annual road tax versus RM120
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM190,788✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM438 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) |
| 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 | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| 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 |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 & Crosstrek for sale
Santa Fe vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Santa Fe is better for family space, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815 mm wheelbase. The Crosstrek suits buyers who prioritise all-wheel drive and a lower upfront price over carrying capacity.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Subaru Crosstrek costs RM190,788, so the Santa Fe is RM34,212 more expensive.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Santa Fe has the longer cover at eight years or 160,000 km, compared with five years or 100,000 km for the Crosstrek.
