Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM27,000 more than the RM198,000 Toyota Urban Cruiser, but it is the family hauler: its 628-litre boot is 322 litres larger and its 2,815 mm wheelbase is 115 mm longer. The Urban Cruiser answers with a 61.1-kWh battery, 426 km EV range and 67-kW DC charging, against the Santa Fe’s 1.49-kWh hybrid battery. For a Malaysian household regularly using six or seven seats, the Hyundai earns its premium; five-seat buyers with charging access will spend less upfront and drive electric.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con with blower controls for regular family trips.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if five seats are enough and its 426 km EV range suits your charging routine.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Seats and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Toyota Urban Cruiser 5 seats and 306 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Toyota Urban Cruiser 4,285 mm and 2,700 mm.
- Battery capacity: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh; Toyota Urban Cruiser 61.1 kWh.
- Motor output: Hyundai Santa Fe 64 hp and 264 Nm; Toyota Urban Cruiser 172 hp and 193 Nm.
- Airbags: Hyundai Santa Fe 10; Toyota Urban Cruiser 7.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Dual-zone climate control plus rear vents and blower controls.
- 10 airbags, powered boot and powered front seats with driver memory.
- Costs RM27,000 more.
- Six-speaker audio trails the Urban Cruiser’s nine-speaker JBL system.
Urban Cruiser
- 61.1-kWh battery, 426 km EV range and 67-kW DC charging.
- Costs RM27,000 less.
- Nine-speaker JBL audio and a front sunroof.
- Only five seats and a 306-litre boot.
- No rear air-con vents or blower controls.
- Single-zone climate control versus the Santa Fe’s dual-zone system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| 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 | 172 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm✓ | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 61.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 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 | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| 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 Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front 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 and Ambient 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 | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL 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 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & Urban Cruiser for sale
Santa Fe vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families, with seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The Urban Cruiser is the better fit for five-seat EV use, bringing 426 km of range from a 61.1-kWh battery.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM27,000 more than the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Can the Toyota Urban Cruiser charge quickly on a road trip?
Yes. The Urban Cruiser supports DC charging at up to 67 kW and AC charging at up to 7 kW. No AC or DC charging rate is stated for the Santa Fe’s 1.49-kWh hybrid battery.
