Verdict
The Volkswagen Tayron costs RM34,340 less at RM190,660, yet retains seven seats, adaptive cruise control and a 12.9-inch touchscreen. It is also locally assembled and brings 12-way powered, ventilated and massaging front seats, plus auto parking. The Hyundai Santa Fe answers with a larger 628-litre boot against 345 litres, a 67-litre tank and a 1.6-litre hybrid system rated at 177 hp and 265 Nm. Its 8-year/160,000-km warranty is far stronger than the Tayron’s two-year unlimited-mileage cover. For regular seven-up use and luggage, the Santa Fe earns its premium.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need the much larger 628-litre boot, 177 hp hybrid output and eight-year/160,000-km warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you want to save RM34,340 while gaining locally assembled status, auto parking and ventilated massaging front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres.
- Power and torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp and 250 Nm.
- Fuel tank: Hyundai Santa Fe 67 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 55 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Volkswagen Tayron 2 years/unlimited mileage.
- Front-seat adjustment: Hyundai Santa Fe powered front seats with driver memory; Volkswagen Tayron 12-way powered front seats with memory, ventilation and…
Santa Fe
- 628-litre boot is 283 litres larger.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm from its 1.6-litre hybrid system.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Costs RM34,340 more.
- No auto parking.
- Front seats lack the Tayron’s ventilation and massage functions.
Tayron
- RM190,660 price and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- 12-way powered front seats add ventilation and massage.
- Auto parking and 12.9-inch touchscreen with eight speakers.
- 345-litre boot is 283 litres smaller.
- 148 hp and 250 Nm trail the Santa Fe’s 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Two-year warranty is much shorter than the Santa Fe’s eight-year/160,000-km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| 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 with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 345 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| 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 |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 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 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 2 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 & Tayron for sale
Santa Fe vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Santa Fe is better for carrying people and luggage, with a 628-litre boot, 177 hp and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The Tayron is the better buy for lower upfront cost, auto parking and ventilated massaging front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Volkswagen Tayron costs RM190,660, so the Santa Fe is RM34,340 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the longer warranty at eight years or 160,000 km. The Volkswagen Tayron has a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage.
