Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM143,668 less than the RM368,668 Kia EV9 and brings a far larger 628-litre boot against 333 litres. It is the sensible long-distance family choice, with a 67-litre tank, 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain and eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty. The EV9 is the much bigger, all-wheel-drive EV: its two motors make 380 hp and 700 Nm, its 99.8-kWh battery is rated for 505 km, and 350-kW DC charging changes the ownership equation for buyers with access to rapid chargers. Its RM515 annual road tax and price are substantial commitments.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want to spend RM143,668 less, carry more luggage in its 628-litre boot and retain petrol-hybrid flexibility.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want 380 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 505-km electric range, and can justify RM368,668.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia EV9 RM368,668.
- Powertrain: Santa Fe has a 1,598-cc petrol hybrid with 177 hp and 265 Nm; EV9 has two motors with 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- Energy storage/range: Santa Fe has a 1.49-kWh battery and 67-litre fuel tank; EV9 has a 99.8-kWh battery and 505-km EV range.
- Driveline: Santa Fe is front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic; EV9 is all-wheel drive with a single-ratio automatic.
- Size and luggage: Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815-mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot; EV9 is 5,015 mm long with a 3,100-mm wheelbase and 333-litre boot.
- Road tax: Santa Fe RM120 per year; EV9 RM515 per year.
Santa Fe
- RM143,668 cheaper to buy.
- 628-litre boot, 295 litres more than the EV9.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the EV9's all-wheel drive.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm versus 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- No stated EV range, AC/DC charging rate or V2L function.
EV9
- 380 hp and 700 Nm from two motors with all-wheel drive.
- 505-km range, 11-kW AC and 350-kW DC charging, plus 3.6-kW V2L.
- Longer 3,100-mm wheelbase and equipment including remote parking assist, head-up display and 14-speaker Meridian audio.
- RM143,668 more expensive.
- 333-litre boot is 295 litres smaller.
- RM515 annual road tax versus RM120, and five-year vehicle warranty versus eight years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM368,668 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM515 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | — |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 380 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 99.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,648 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 333 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental PremiumContact C |
| 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 | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| 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✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery |
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 & EV9 for sale
Santa Fe vs EV9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia EV9 better?
The Santa Fe is the better family-value choice: it costs RM143,668 less and has a 628-litre boot. The EV9 is better for electric driving and performance, with 505 km of range, 380 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM143,668 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe: RM368,668 versus RM225,000.
Which has the bigger boot, the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia EV9?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the bigger boot at 628 litres. The Kia EV9 has 333 litres, a 295-litre deficit despite its 185-mm longer body and 285-mm longer wheelbase.
