Verdict
The RM25,050 premium for the Hyundai Santa Fe buys a far larger seven-seat package: its 4,830 mm body, 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot eclipse the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door’s 3,985 mm length, 2,590 mm wheelbase and 211 litres. The Hyundai also brings a 177 hp 1.6-litre hybrid petrol engine, 10 airbags and autonomous braking. The Suzuki counters with all-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive with low range and a full-size spare tyre. For Malaysian family use, the Santa Fe’s space, safety kit and 67-litre tank justify the stretch; the Jimny suits buyers who specifically need its compact 1,645 mm width and low-range hardware.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and active safety systems including autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door if all-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive with low range and a 3,985 mm compact footprint matter more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door RM199,950.
- Power and torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 100 hp and 130 Nm.
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 4 seats and 211 litres.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door all-wheel drive with part-time 4WD low range.
- Safety: Hyundai Santa Fe 10 airbags and autonomous braking; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 6 airbags and no autonomous braking.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- 177 hp hybrid petrol powertrain with 265 Nm engine torque.
- 10 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
- RM25,050 more expensive than the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door.
- Front-wheel drive; no part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Jimny’s full-size alloy spare.
Jimny 5-Door
- All-wheel drive with part-time four-wheel drive and low range.
- 845 mm shorter and 255 mm narrower than the Santa Fe.
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare tyre.
- Only four seats and a 211-litre boot versus the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm trail the Santa Fe’s 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Six airbags and no autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot monitoring.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM199,950✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 100 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 74 mm × 85 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| 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 | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 17.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 3,985 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,590 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 211 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Dueller H/L |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Manual adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 50:50 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| 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 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 3 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 & Jimny 5-Door for sale
Santa Fe vs Jimny 5-Door FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Suzuki Jimny 5-Door better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for family transport, with seven seats, 628 litres of boot space, 10 airbags and autonomous braking. The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is the better choice only if its all-wheel drive and low-range four-wheel-drive system are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door costs RM199,950, so the Hyundai is RM25,050 more expensive.
Which has more space for passengers and luggage?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has seven seats and a 628-litre boot, against four seats and 211 litres in the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door. It is also 845 mm longer and has a 225 mm longer wheelbase.
