Verdict
At RM245,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige is the more sensible Malaysian family pick: it seats seven, has navigation and costs RM120 a year in road tax. The RM270,000 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy brings a RM25,000 step up for 277 hp, 422 Nm and all-wheel drive, plus a twin sunroof, head-up display and 12-speaker Bose audio. Its RM838 annual road tax and six-seat layout make it a more specialised choice. Buy the Calligraphy for its extra performance and cabin toys, not because it is fundamentally roomier.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige if you need seven seats, navigation and RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy if you want 277 hp, 422 Nm, all-wheel drive and its richer six-seat cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige RM245,000; Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy RM270,000.
- Power and torque: 1.6T Hybrid Prestige 177 hp and 265 Nm; 2.5T Calligraphy 277 hp and 422 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: 1.6T Hybrid Prestige front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic; 2.
- Seating: 1.6T Hybrid Prestige has seven seats with a 60:40 middle row; 2.5T Calligraphy has six seats with individual second-row seats.
- Wheels and tyres: 1.6T Hybrid Prestige gets 20-inch wheels with 255/45R20 tyres; 2.5T Calligraphy gets 21-inch wheels with 245/45R21 tyres.
- Road tax: 1.6T Hybrid Prestige RM120 per year; 2.5T Calligraphy RM838 per year.
1.6T Hybrid Prestige
- Seven-seat layout with a 60:40 split-folding middle row.
- RM120 annual road tax.
- Driver's seat memory and built-in navigation.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm fall well short of the Calligraphy's 277 hp and 422 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No twin sunroof, head-up display or 12-speaker Bose system.
2.5T Calligraphy
- 277 hp, 422 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- Twin sunroof, head-up display and 12-speaker Bose audio.
- Individual second-row seats and front/rear side airbags.
- RM25,000 more expensive.
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Six seats rather than seven, and no navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM245,000✓ | RM270,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 277 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 422 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 628 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd 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 Projectors | LED Projectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Individual Second Row Seats, 50:50 Split Folding Third Row Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | — | Twin Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Front, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shades, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose 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 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years | 8 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 cars for sale
1.6T Hybrid Prestige vs 2.5T Calligraphy FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige or Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy better?
The 1.6T Hybrid Prestige is better for a seven-seat family and low annual road tax. Choose the 2.5T Calligraphy only if its 277 hp, 422 Nm, all-wheel drive, six-seat layout and extra cabin equipment matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy costs RM25,000 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige.
Which Santa Fe has lower road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige has far lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM838 for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy.
