Verdict
At RM166,800, the Tiggo 9 undercuts the RM225,000 Santa Fe by RM58,200 while bringing 251 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive against the Hyundai’s 177 hp, 265 Nm and front-wheel drive. It is also the more lavishly specified cabin, with ventilated, heated and massaging front seats, a panoramic roof and a 15.6-inch screen with 14 speakers. The Santa Fe counters with hybrid assistance, a 2,815-mm wheelbase, 628-litre boot and eight-year/160,000-km warranty. Its RM120 annual road tax is far easier on the wallet than the Chery’s RM439.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 9 if you want the RM58,200 saving, 251 hp/390 Nm turbo engine, all-wheel drive and richer comfort equipment.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if hybrid assistance, the 628-litre boot, lower RM120 road tax and longer eight-year/160,000-km warranty matter more than outright power.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 9 RM166,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Power and torque: Chery Tiggo 9 251 hp and 390 Nm; Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Driveline: Chery Tiggo 9 all-wheel drive; Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase and boot space: Chery Tiggo 9 2,800 mm and 448-2,065 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe 2,815 mm and 628 litres.
- Warranty: Chery Tiggo 9 seven years/150,000 km; Hyundai Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km.
- Road tax: Chery Tiggo 9 RM439 per year; Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year.
Tiggo 9
- 251 hp and 390 Nm, plus all-wheel drive.
- Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats.
- 15.6-inch touchscreen and 14-speaker Sony sound system.
- RM439 annual road tax versus the Santa Fe’s RM120.
- Seven-year/150,000-km warranty trails the Santa Fe’s eight years/160,000 km.
- No built-in navigation, while the Santa Fe has it.
Santa Fe
- Hybrid assistance adds a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor and 1.49-kWh battery.
- 628-litre boot and 2,815-mm wheelbase.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm fall well short of the Tiggo 9’s 251 hp and 390 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Tiggo 9’s all-wheel drive.
- No panoramic glass roof or front-seat heating, ventilation and massage.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM166,800✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 251 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 390 Nm✓ | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed DCT | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,925 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,741 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 1,887 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 448-2065 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Rear Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats, third 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 | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver Side Memory with Heating, Ventilation & Massaging | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last 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 AC Vents with Heating & Ventilation | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14-speaker Sony Sound System | 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, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 | 150,000 km | 160,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 10-year or one million km warranty for the engine | — |
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 Tiggo 9 & Santa Fe for sale
Tiggo 9 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 9 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Tiggo 9 is the stronger value choice: it costs RM58,200 less, has 251 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive. Choose the Santa Fe for hybrid assistance, its 628-litre boot, lower road tax and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 9 costs RM166,800 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the Santa Fe is RM58,200 more expensive.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM439 for the Chery Tiggo 9. The Santa Fe uses a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid powertrain, while the Tiggo 9 has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
