Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 asks RM225,000, RM55,112 more than the RM169,888 Santa Fe TM, but it brings a 177 hp/265 Nm 1.6-litre turbo hybrid system with a 64 hp motor, against the TM’s 170 hp/225 Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine. Malaysian families also get 628 litres of boot space rather than 547 litres, a 2,815 mm wheelbase rather than 2,765 mm, and substantially fuller active safety. The TM remains the rational used-buy proposition if its RM55k saving and 300,000 km warranty cover matter more than newer hardware.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe TM if you want the RM55,112 lower entry price, a 70-litre tank and 300,000 km of warranty cover.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want the stronger hybrid powertrain, 628-litre boot and active safety systems including autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: TM RM169,888; MX5 RM225,000.
- Powertrain: TM 2.4L naturally aspirated petrol, 170 hp and 225 Nm; MX5 1.6L turbo petrol hybrid, 177 hp and 265 Nm, plus a 64 hp/264 Nm motor and 1.
- Dimensions: TM is 4,770 mm long with a 2,765 mm wheelbase; MX5 is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: TM 547 litres; MX5 628 litres.
- Safety: TM has six airbags and no autonomous braking; MX5 adds rear curtain airbags, a front-centre airbag, driver’s knee airbag and autonomous braking.
- Warranty and fuel tank: TM has five years/300,000 km and a 70-litre tank; MX5 has eight years/160,000 km and a 67-litre tank.
TM
- RM55,112 cheaper to buy
- 70-litre fuel tank and space-saver spare tyre
- 300,000 km manufacturer warranty
- Less torque: 225 Nm versus 265 Nm
- Smaller 547-litre boot versus 628 litres
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information or adaptive cruise control
MX5
- 177 hp/265 Nm turbo-hybrid powertrain with 64 hp electric motor
- 628-litre boot and 50 mm longer wheelbase
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information and adaptive cruise control
- Costs RM55,112 more
- 67-litre tank versus 70 litres
- Tyre repair kit instead of the TM’s space-saver spare tyre; warranty mileage is 160,000 km versus 300,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM169,888✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM727 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,359 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 225 Nm | 265 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 88 mm | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 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 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 547 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Crugen HP91 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | 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 | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot | 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 | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen with MP3 playback, AUX-in, USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Recognition | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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
TM vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe TM or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The MX5 is the more complete family SUV, with 177 hp, 265 Nm, 628 litres of boot space and active safety systems absent from the TM. The TM is the better budget-led choice at RM55,112 less, with a larger fuel tank and longer 300,000 km warranty mileage.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000 and the Santa Fe TM costs RM169,888. The difference is RM55,112.
Which Santa Fe has more practical luggage space?
The MX5 has the larger boot at 628 litres, 81 litres more than the TM’s 547 litres. It is also 60 mm longer and has a wheelbase 50 mm longer, while both provide seven seats.
