Verdict
At RM245,000, the seven-seat hybrid is the rational Santa Fe: its 1.6-litre turbo hybrid brings 177 hp, 265 Nm and RM120 annual road tax, while retaining the same 4,830 mm body and 628-litre boot. The RM270,000 six-seater counters with a far stronger 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine, producing 277 hp and 422 Nm, plus all-wheel drive. That is a RM25,000 gap before the RM838 annual road tax is considered. Choose the hybrid for more seats and lower ownership charges; pay up only if the extra 100 hp, 157 Nm and AWD matter more than those savings.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, navigation and substantially lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want 277 hp, 422 Nm, all-wheel drive, a twin sunroof and Bose audio in a six-seat layout.
Key differences
- Price: RM245,000 vs RM270,000
- Power and torque: 177 hp/265 Nm vs 277 hp/422 Nm
- Driveline: front-wheel drive vs all-wheel drive
- Seating: seven seats vs six seats
- Annual road tax: RM120 vs RM838
- Wheels: 20-inch alloys with 255/45R20 tyres vs 21-inch alloys with 245/45R21 tyres
1.6T Hybrid Prestige
- Seven seats with 7 three-point seat belts
- Hybrid powertrain and RM120 annual road tax
- Navigation and driver-seat memory
- 100 hp and 157 Nm down on the other Santa Fe
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No twin sunroof or 12-speaker Bose sound system
2.5T Calligraphy
- 277 hp and 422 Nm from the 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine
- All-wheel drive and eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission
- Twin sunroof, head-up display and 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Costs RM25,000 more
- Six seats rather than seven
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM120
| 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 at 5,500 rpm | 277 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 422 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 88.5 mm × 101.5 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 | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 10 (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 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The RM245,000 hybrid is better for most families because it has seven seats and RM120 annual road tax. The RM270,000 petrol is better only for buyers who place real value on 277 hp, 422 Nm and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The price difference is RM25,000: RM245,000 for the hybrid Santa Fe and RM270,000 for the petrol all-wheel-drive Santa Fe.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe has more seats?
The hybrid Santa Fe has seven seats and seven three-point seat belts. The petrol all-wheel-drive Santa Fe has six seats, using individual second-row seats and a 50:50 split-folding third row.
