Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM143,668 less than the RM368,668 Kia EV9, a major saving for a Malaysian seven-seat SUV buyer. The Santa Fe brings a 1.6-litre turbo hybrid, 628-litre boot and 10 airbags, while its annual road tax is RM120. The EV9 answers with two motors producing 380 hp and 700 Nm, a 99.8-kWh battery with 505 km of EV range, and 350-kW DC charging. Its RM515 annual road tax and 333-litre boot make the trade-off clear: electric performance and charging capability cost more, and take luggage space.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if RM225,000 pricing, a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags matter more than pure-electric range and performance.
EV9
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want 505 km of electric range, 380 hp, 700 Nm and 350-kW DC charging in a seven-seat SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia EV9 RM368,668.
- Powertrain: Santa Fe 1.6-litre turbo hybrid with 177 hp and 265 Nm engine output plus a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor; EV9 has two motors with 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- Battery and range: Santa Fe 1.49 kWh with no EV range listed; EV9 99.8 kWh and 505 km.
- Charging: Santa Fe has no AC or DC charging rate listed; EV9 supports 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- Size and boot space: Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 628-litre boot; EV9 is 5,015 mm long with a 333-litre boot.
- Safety and road tax: Santa Fe has 10 airbags and RM120 annual road tax; EV9 has seven airbags and RM515 annual road tax.
Santa Fe
- RM143,668 cheaper to buy.
- 628-litre boot is 295 litres larger.
- 10 airbags and eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- No EV range or AC/DC charging capability listed, against the EV9's 505 km range and 350-kW DC charging.
- Much lower motor output: 64 hp and 264 Nm versus 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- No panoramic glass roof, head-up display or remote parking assist.
EV9
- 505 km EV range from a 99.8-kWh battery.
- 380 hp and 700 Nm from two motors, with all-wheel drive.
- 350-kW DC charging, 3.6-kW V2L and 14-speaker Meridian audio.
- RM143,668 more expensive and RM395 higher annual road tax.
- 333-litre boot is 295 litres smaller.
- Seven airbags versus the Santa Fe's 10, plus a shorter five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
| 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 | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 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 | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 7 (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 more practical-cost choice, with a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags and RM120 annual road tax. The EV9 is better for electric driving, delivering 505 km range, 380 hp, 700 Nm and 350-kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the EV9 is RM143,668 more expensive.
Which one is better for long-distance electric travel?
The Kia EV9 is the clear choice: it has a 99.8-kWh battery, 505 km EV range, 11-kW AC charging and 350-kW DC charging. The Santa Fe has a 1.49-kWh hybrid battery and no EV range or charging rates listed.
