Verdict
The RM45,112 gap is substantial: the Santa Fe costs RM225,000 to the Staria’s RM179,888, but brings hybrid assistance, 10 airbags and a far broader active-safety suite. It is also the easier seven-seat family car to park, at 4,830 mm long with a 628-litre boot. The Staria is the people mover: 5,253 mm long, 3,273 mm between its axles and fitted with 10 seats. Its 431 Nm diesel torque suits loaded trips, although annual road tax is RM599 versus RM120 for the Santa Fe.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want a seven-seat SUV with a 628-litre boot, hybrid assistance and autonomous braking.
Staria
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need 10 seats, a 431 Nm diesel and substantially more cabin length for carrying people.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Hyundai Staria RM179,888.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Hyundai Staria 10 seats.
- Torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 265 Nm petrol engine torque plus a 264 Nm motor; Hyundai Staria 431 Nm diesel torque.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Hyundai Staria 5,253 mm and 3,273 mm.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Hyundai Staria 430 litres.
- Safety: Hyundai Santa Fe 10 airbags with autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Hyundai Staria 6 airbags with no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
Santa Fe
- Hybrid assistance with a 1.49 kWh battery and 64 hp motor.
- 10 airbags, blind-spot information system and 360-degree monitor.
- 628-litre boot and powered, contactless-opening tailgate.
- RM45,112 dearer to buy.
- Only seven seats versus the Staria’s 10.
- 265 Nm engine torque trails the Staria’s 431 Nm.
Staria
- 10 seats and a 3,273 mm wheelbase.
- 431 Nm 2.2-litre diesel torque.
- RM45,112 lower purchase price and a full-size spare tyre.
- RM599 annual road tax versus RM120.
- 430-litre boot is 198 litres smaller.
- Six airbags and no autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM179,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM599 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,199 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 175 hp at 3,800 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 431 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 85.4 mm × 96 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 16 |
| 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 | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 12.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,253 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,997 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,273 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 215/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 215/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Kumho PorTran KC53 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| 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) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Sliding Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Second Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Occupant Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, Two Flat-folding, Sliding and Reclining 3rd Row Captain Chairs, 60:40 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Ceiling-mounted Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Second-row USB, 1 Third-row USB, 2 Last-row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Front Windows, Auto Up and Down, Manual Slide Rear Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| 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 Santa Fe & Staria for sale
Santa Fe vs Staria FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Staria better?
The Santa Fe is better for a seven-seat family seeking a larger boot, hybrid assistance and active safety. The Staria is better when 10 seats and a much longer 3,273 mm wheelbase are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM45,112 more than the Hyundai Staria: RM225,000 against RM179,888.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Santa Fe is far cheaper to tax at RM120 a year. The Staria’s annual road tax is RM599, a RM479 difference.
