Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe saves RM44,888 and brings a 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain, seven seats and a 628-litre boot in a substantially shorter 4,830-mm SUV body. The RM269,888 Maxus MIFA 9 is the space-first choice: its 5,270-mm MPV body, 3,200-mm wheelbase and 1,010-litre boot will matter far more to regularly full-car families. It is also the EV, with 435 km of stated range and 11-kW AC/120-kW DC charging. The Santa Fe counters with lower RM120 annual road tax, more USB ports, stronger factory warranty cover and extra airbags.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want to spend RM44,888 less on a more compact seven-seat petrol hybrid with an eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if maximum seven-seat cabin and luggage space, powered sliding doors and a 435-km electric range suit your daily charging access.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000 | Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888
- Body length and wheelbase: Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm | MIFA 9 5,270 mm and 3,200 mm
- Boot space: Santa Fe 628 litres | MIFA 9 1,010 litres
- Powertrain: Santa Fe 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with 64 hp/264 Nm motor | MIFA 9 EV with 241 hp/350 Nm motor
- Road tax: Santa Fe RM120 per year | MIFA 9 RM220 per year
- Manufacturer warranty: Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km | MIFA 9 five years/100,000 km
Santa Fe
- RM44,888 lower purchase price
- Eight-year, 160,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Seven USB-C ports plus wireless charging and rear window shades
- 382 litres less boot space than the MIFA 9
- No powered sliding doors or sunroof
- Six-speaker audio versus the MIFA 9's eight speakers
MIFA 9
- 1,010-litre boot and 3,200-mm wheelbase
- 435-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 120-kW DC charging
- Powered sliding doors and sunroof
- Costs RM44,888 more
- RM220 annual road tax versus RM120
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe's
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM269,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM220 |
| 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 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 241 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | — | 435 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.2 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,200 mm |
| Weight | — | 3,095 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 1,010 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on front passenger and outer two second row 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 Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED Tail Lights |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Sliding and Folding Second Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and 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" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 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 & MIFA 9 for sale
Santa Fe vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Santa Fe is the stronger fit for a lower upfront price, lower road tax and longer manufacturer warranty. Choose the MIFA 9 if its 1,010-litre boot, powered sliding doors and 435-km EV range are more important than the RM44,888 premium.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM269,888, which is RM44,888 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe at RM225,000.
Which has more luggage space?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has the larger boot at 1,010 litres, ahead of the Hyundai Santa Fe's 628 litres by 382 litres.
