Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is the far more complete family SUV, but its RM225,000 price is RM65,542 above the RM159,458 Santa Fe DM. That money brings 10 airbags instead of two, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera, plus a 628-litre boot and 2,815-mm wheelbase. Its 1.6-litre hybrid also produces 265 Nm from 1,500 rpm against the DM’s 227 Nm at 3,750 rpm, while annual road tax drops from RM727 to RM120. The DM remains the sensible used-route choice for its all-wheel drive and 300,000-km warranty limit.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe DM if you want the RM65,542 cheaper seven-seater with all-wheel drive and a 300,000-km warranty limit.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want substantially stronger safety equipment, hybrid low-end torque and more room for family use.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe DM RM159,458; Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 RM225,000.
- Powertrain torque: DM 227 Nm at 3,750 rpm; MX5 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm, plus a 64-hp/264-Nm motor.
- Driveline: DM all-wheel drive; MX5 front-wheel drive.
- Dimensions and boot: DM 4,690-mm long, 2,700-mm wheelbase and 585-litre boot; MX5 4,830 mm, 2,815 mm and 628 litres.
- Safety: DM has 2 airbags; MX5 has 10 airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Warranty and road tax: DM 5 years/300,000 km and RM727 yearly road tax; MX5 8 years/160,000 km and RM120.
DM
- RM65,542 lower purchase price
- All-wheel drive
- 300,000-km manufacturer warranty limit
- Only 2 airbags versus the MX5’s 10
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information or 360-degree camera
- Smaller 585-litre boot and 2,700-mm wheelbase
MX5
- 10 airbags with autonomous braking and blind-spot information
- 265 Nm from 1,500 rpm with hybrid assistance
- 628-litre boot, 2,815-mm wheelbase and RM120 annual road tax
- RM65,542 more expensive
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- 160,000-km warranty limit versus 300,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,458✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM727 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with variable intake valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,359 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 176 hp at 6,000 rpm | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 227 Nm at 3,750 rpm | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 88 mm × 97 mm | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 64 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.9 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 208 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 1,666 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 64 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 585 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Assisted Driver's Seat | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-Con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunvisor with Illuminated Vanity Mirror | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Integrated Radio with CD/WMA/MP3 Playback, AUX-in, USB, iPod Connectivity and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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
DM vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe DM or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The Santa Fe MX5 is better equipped for family safety and convenience, with 10 airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot information, a 360-degree camera and a larger boot. The DM is the better budget choice if all-wheel drive and its 300,000-km warranty limit matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000 and the Hyundai Santa Fe DM costs RM159,458, a difference of RM65,542. The MX5 also has lower annual road tax: RM120 versus RM727.
Which Santa Fe has the stronger powertrain?
The MX5 has the stronger low-rpm response on paper: 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm from its 1.6-litre turbo hybrid system, versus the DM’s 227 Nm at 3,750 rpm from a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
