Verdict
For most Malaysian families, the Hyundai Santa Fe is the stronger buy: it costs RM54,000 less at RM225,000, seats seven rather than five and carries 628 litres of boot space against 522 litres. Its annual road tax is also RM120, far below the Outback’s RM878, while the hybrid pairs a 177 hp 1.6-litre turbo with a 64 hp motor. The Subaru Outback answers with all-wheel drive, 185 hp and a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time, but its 245 Nm arrives at 3,400 rpm versus the Santa Fe’s 265 Nm from 1,500 rpm.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a larger 628-litre boot and far lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h figure and a sunroof matter more than rear-seat capacity and price.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Road tax per year: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Subaru Outback 5 seats.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Subaru Outback 5 years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- RM54,000 cheaper with RM120 annual road tax.
- Seven seats and 628 litres of boot space.
- 10 airbags and an 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive.
- No sunroof, front foglamps or alarm where the Outback has all three.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and a quoted 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Sunroof, front foglamps and alarm.
- 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
- Costs RM54,000 more and annual road tax is RM758 higher.
- Five seats and 522 litres of boot space versus the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- Seven airbags and a 5-year/100,000 km warranty trail the Santa Fe’s 10 airbags and 8-year/160,000 km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front 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 Two Rear Passenger 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 Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 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 & Outback for sale
Santa Fe vs Outback FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Outback better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for most buyers because it is RM54,000 cheaper, has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and RM120 annual road tax. Choose the Subaru Outback specifically for all-wheel drive, its 9.6-second 0-100 km/h figure and sunroof.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the Outback is RM54,000 more expensive.
Which one is better for a large family?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear family choice. It has seven seats, ISOFIX on the second and third rows, rear air-con blower controls and a 628-litre boot. The Subaru Outback has five seats, ISOFIX for two rear passengers and 522 litres of boot space.
