Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the family-first choice: RM225,000 buys seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase, plus hybrid assistance from its 64-hp motor and 1.49-kWh battery. It is also 200 mm longer than the Tucson and carries 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction. The RM159,800 Tucson is RM65,200 cheaper, has five seats and a still-useful 582-litre boot. Its 178-hp petrol turbo is virtually level with the Santa Fe’s 177 hp, so the lower-priced SUV makes sense if third-row seating is unnecessary.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and the added safety hardware of 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if five seats are enough and saving RM65,200 matters more than the Santa Fe’s hybrid system, third row and larger cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Hyundai Tucson RM159,800.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Hyundai Tucson 5 seats and 582 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm and 2,755 mm.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 177-hp 1.6-litre hybrid with a 64-hp motor and 1.49-kWh battery; Hyundai Tucson 178-hp 1.6-litre petrol.
- Safety: Hyundai Santa Fe 10 airbags with autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction; Hyundai Tucson 6 airbags with no autonomous braking or…
- Fuel tank: Hyundai Santa Fe 67 litres; Hyundai Tucson 54 litres.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Hybrid assistance with a 64-hp motor and 1.49-kWh battery.
- 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- RM65,200 more expensive than the Tucson.
Tucson
- RM65,200 cheaper than the Santa Fe.
- 178 hp from its 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
- Only five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven.
- 582-litre boot is 46 litres smaller than the Santa Fe’s.
- Six airbags and no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM159,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,665 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,521 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 582 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| 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 & Tucson for sale
Santa Fe vs Tucson FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Tucson better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist. The Tucson is the better buy for five occupants because it costs RM65,200 less while its 178-hp output nearly matches the Santa Fe’s 177 hp.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Hyundai Tucson costs RM159,800, so the Santa Fe costs RM65,200 more.
Which has more safety equipment, the Santa Fe or Tucson?
The Santa Fe has 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction. The Tucson has six airbags and lacks autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist, although both get blind-spot information, collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
