Verdict
At RM185,888, the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift is RM39,112 cheaper than the RM225,000 Hyundai Santa Fe MX5, yet both retain a 1.6-litre hybrid petrol powertrain rated at 177 hp and 265 Nm, six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive and seven seats. The MX5 is 45 mm longer and has a 50 mm longer wheelbase, but gives away 6 litres of boot space. Its extra spend lands in safety and cabin hardware: 10 airbags, steering lane-keeping, a 12.3-inch screen and 360-degree camera. The TM remains the sharper used-car value if those additions are not essential.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift if a RM39,112 saving, 634-litre boot and full-size alloy spare matter more than the newer car’s safety and infotainment upgrades.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want 10 airbags, steering-correction lane keeping, a 360-degree camera and a 50 mm longer wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift RM185,888; Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 RM225,000.
- Dimensions: TM Facelift is 4,785 mm long with a 2,765 mm wheelbase; MX5 is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase.
- Safety: TM Facelift has six airbags and lane-keeping warning; MX5 has 10 airbags and steering-correction lane keeping.
- Boot space: TM Facelift has 634 litres; MX5 has 628 litres.
- Infotainment: TM Facelift uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen; MX5 gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
- Tyres: TM Facelift runs 235/65R17 tyres; MX5 runs 255/45R20 tyres.
TM Facelift
- RM39,112 lower purchase price.
- 634-litre boot is 6 litres larger.
- Full-size alloy spare tyre.
- Six airbags versus the MX5’s 10.
- Lane keeping only warns, rather than applying steering correction.
- No 360-degree monitor; the MX5 has one.
MX5
- 10 airbags, including front-centre and driver’s knee airbags.
- Steering-correction lane keeping and a 360-degree monitor.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, full LCD instruments and powered boot.
- Costs RM39,112 more.
- 628-litre boot is 6 litres smaller.
- Tyre repair kit replaces the TM Facelift’s full-size alloy spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM185,888✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 4,200 rpm | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 265 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 | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 59 hp | 64 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,785 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,685 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 634 litres✓ | 628 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 2x Power Socket, 5x Charging Ports | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with MP3 playback, AUX-in, USB, Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay with Voice Recognition | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Push Button | 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 | Remote Control Activated | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | — | 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 cars for sale
TM Facelift vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is better equipped, with 10 airbags, steering-correction lane keeping, a 360-degree monitor and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The TM Facelift is the better value choice, retaining the same 177 hp and 265 Nm output for far less money.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM39,112 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift.
Which Santa Fe has more luggage space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift has the larger boot at 634 litres, compared with 628 litres in the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5. The difference is small, but the TM also carries a full-size alloy spare while the MX5 uses a tyre repair kit.
