Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM26,112 more than the RM198,888 five-seat Volvo EX30, but it brings a 628-litre boot against 318 litres and a much longer 2,815-mm wheelbase. Its 1.6-litre petrol hybrid and 67-litre tank suit buyers who need three rows and rear air-con. The EX30 makes the stronger EV case: its 69-kWh battery is rated at 475 km, accepts 11-kW AC and 175-kW DC charging, and its 268-hp rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Budget for RM260 annual road tax, versus RM120.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con for regular family duty.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want a lower-priced EV with 475 km of stated range, rapid DC charging and far stronger motor figures.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volvo EX30 RM198,888, a RM26,112 gap.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Volvo EX30 5 seats and 318 litres.
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long on a 2,815-mm wheelbase; Volvo EX30 is 4,223 mm long on a 2,650-mm wheelbase.
- Energy system: Hyundai Santa Fe has a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with a 1.49-kWh battery; Volvo EX30 has a 69-kWh battery and 475-km EV range.
- Charging: Hyundai Santa Fe has no stated AC/DC charging rate or V2L; Volvo EX30 has 11-kW AC, 175-kW DC and 3.6-kW V2L.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; Volvo EX30 RM260 per year.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- 10 airbags and ISOFIX on the second and third rows.
- Rear air-con controls and USB-C ports across all three rows.
- RM26,112 higher purchase price.
- No stated EV range, AC/DC charging rate or V2L.
- No panoramic glass roof or auto parking.
EX30
- 69-kWh battery, 475-km stated range and 175-kW DC charging.
- 268-hp, 343-Nm rear motor with a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Panoramic glass roof and auto parking.
- Five seats and a 318-litre boot, against seven seats and 628 litres.
- Seven airbags versus 10, with ISOFIX only on the two outer rear seats.
- RM260 annual road tax, compared with RM120.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM198,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM260 |
| 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 | 268 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 343 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 69 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 475 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 318 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 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 | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" 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 | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear 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 Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | 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 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C 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 | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Harman Kardon 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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/160,000 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 & EX30 for sale
Santa Fe vs EX30 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo EX30 better?
The Santa Fe is better for seven occupants, luggage and rear-passenger comfort. The EX30 is better if five seats are enough and you want a 475-km EV with 175-kW DC charging and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Volvo EX30 costs RM198,888. The Santa Fe is RM26,112 more expensive.
Which is better for charging and family space?
The EX30 is the charging choice with 11-kW AC, 175-kW DC and 3.6-kW V2L. The Santa Fe is the family-space choice, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con.
