Verdict
The RM225,000 Santa Fe costs RM56,200 more than the RM168,800 C9, a substantial gap before running costs: annual road tax is RM120 against RM439. Hyundai answers with seven seats, a 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid drivetrain and a 2,815 mm wheelbase. The C9 is the punchier five-seater: its 2.0-litre turbo makes 257 hp and 400 Nm against 177 hp and 265 Nm from the Santa Fe’s petrol engine, and its 660-litre boot is 32 litres larger. Families needing a third row have a clear Hyundai case; five-seat buyers get more power, an eight-speed automatic, a head-up display and a panoramic sunroof from the C9.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, third-row ISOFIX and lower RM120 annual road tax from its petrol-hybrid drivetrain.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if five seats are enough and you want 257 hp, 400 Nm, an eight-speed automatic and RM56,200 left in hand.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats; Omoda Jaecoo C9 five seats.
- Engine output: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp and 400 Nm.
- Transmission: Hyundai Santa Fe six-speed automatic; Omoda Jaecoo C9 eight-speed automatic.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Omoda Jaecoo C9 660 litres.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM439.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats with ISOFIX in the second and third rows.
- Petrol-hybrid system with a 1.49 kWh battery and 64 hp motor.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Costs RM56,200 more.
- Six-speed automatic versus the C9’s eight-speed unit.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare.
C9
- 257 hp and 400 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo engine.
- Head-up display, panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats.
- 660-litre boot, 20-inch alloys and a full-size spare tyre.
- Five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Seven-year/150,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM168,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 257 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9.5 |
| 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 | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,775 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,671 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,800 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,786 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 660 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats with Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| 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 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers |
| 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 | Panoramic Glass Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 7 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 & C9 for sale
Santa Fe vs C9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Omoda Jaecoo C9 better?
The C9 is the stronger five-seat choice, with 257 hp, 400 Nm, an eight-speed automatic and more luggage space. Choose the Santa Fe if seven seats, third-row ISOFIX, hybrid assistance and lower annual road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM56,200 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9: RM225,000 versus RM168,800.
Which SUV is better for carrying people and luggage?
The Santa Fe carries seven people, while the C9 carries five. With the rear seats in place, the C9 has the larger quoted boot at 660 litres, compared with 628 litres for the Santa Fe.
