Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 asks RM55,112 more, but it brings a 177 hp/265 Nm 1,598 cc turbo hybrid, a 64 hp electric motor and 1.49 kWh battery against the TM’s 170 hp/225 Nm 2,359 cc petrol. Its 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot beat 2,765 mm and 547 litres, while 10 airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise make it far better equipped for family use. The TM remains the rational used buy, with a 70-litre tank and 5-year/300,000 km warranty versus 67 litres and 8 years/160,000 km.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe TM if a much lower entry cost, a 300,000 km warranty limit and a space-saver spare matter more than newer safety equipment.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want the stronger 265 Nm hybrid drivetrain, 81 litres more boot space and a proper suite of driver aids.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe TM RM169,888; Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 RM225,000.
- Engine output: TM 170 hp and 225 Nm from 2,359 cc; MX5 177 hp and 265 Nm from 1,598 cc, plus a 64 hp/264 Nm motor.
- Wheelbase and boot: TM 2,765 mm and 547 litres; MX5 2,815 mm and 628 litres.
- Airbags: TM six; MX5 10, including a front centre and driver’s knee airbag.
- Driver assistance: TM has passive cruise control and no autonomous braking; MX5 has adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
- Warranty: TM 5 years/300,000 km; MX5 8 years/160,000 km.
TM
- RM55,112 lower purchase price
- 5-year/300,000 km warranty
- 70-litre tank and space-saver spare
- 225 Nm versus 265 Nm
- Six airbags versus 10
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot system
MX5
- 177 hp/265 Nm turbo-hybrid powertrain with a 64 hp motor
- 628-litre boot, 81 litres larger
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise and 360-degree camera
- RM55,112 higher purchase price
- 160,000 km warranty limit versus 300,000 km
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare
| 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 at 6,000 rpm | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 225 Nm at 4,000 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 | 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 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 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 Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is the better-equipped family SUV, with more torque, a larger boot, 10 airbags and active safety aids. Choose the TM if its lower cost and 300,000 km warranty limit matter more than those upgrades.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM55,112 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe TM.
Which Santa Fe has better safety equipment?
The MX5 does. It has 10 airbags to the TM’s six, plus autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot information, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
