Verdict
The Denza D9 is the more specialised seven-seat family carrier: its 103.36-kWh battery delivers a stated 520 km EV range, while its 3,110-mm wheelbase, captain’s chairs with massage and ottoman support, and rear sliding doors suit chauffeur-style use. The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM74,000 less, has a much larger 628-litre boot against 410 litres, and brings an eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty. For Malaysian buyers who can charge regularly, the D9’s 308-hp motor and 166-kW DC charging are persuasive; the Santa Fe is the lower-cost petrol-hybrid alternative with better luggage capacity.
Pick the Denza D9 if you want a 520-km electric seven-seater with rear captain’s chairs, sliding doors and a 3,110-mm wheelbase.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want to spend RM74,000 less, carry more luggage and get an eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 308-hp, 360-Nm electric motor; Hyundai Santa Fe 177-hp, 265-Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine plus 64-hp, 264-Nm motor.
- Energy storage/range: Denza D9 103.36-kWh battery and 520 km EV range; Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49-kWh battery and no EV range stated.
- Charging: Denza D9 supports 11 kW AC and 166 kW DC charging; Hyundai Santa Fe has no AC or DC charging rate stated.
- Size/boot: Denza D9 is 5,250 mm long with 410 litres of boot space; Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with 628 litres.
- Warranty: Denza D9 gets 6 years/150,000 km plus an 8-year/150,000-km battery warranty; Hyundai Santa Fe gets 8 years/160,000 km.
D9
- 520-km stated EV range from a 103.36-kWh battery.
- Rear captain’s chairs get ventilation, massage and ottoman support.
- 166-kW DC charging, 6-kW V2L and powered sliding doors.
- RM74,000 costlier than the Santa Fe.
- 410-litre boot is 218 litres smaller.
- Six-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe’s.
Santa Fe
- RM74,000 cheaper to buy.
- 628-litre boot is 218 litres larger.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- No stated EV range or AC/DC charging capability.
- Rear seating lacks the D9’s ventilated, massaging captain’s chairs with ottomans.
- Six-speaker audio system versus the D9’s 14-speaker Dynaudio system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm✓ | 264 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee 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 on Middle and Outer Third Row Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd 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 Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Front Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | 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 & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound System | 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 | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 160,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 D9 & Santa Fe for sale
D9 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The D9 is better for regularly charged electric travel and second-row comfort, with 520 km of stated EV range and massaging captain’s chairs. The Santa Fe is better for buyers prioritising a lower purchase cost, 628-litre boot and longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM74,000 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe: RM299,000 versus RM225,000.
Which one is better for carrying seven people and luggage?
Both seat seven, but the Santa Fe carries more luggage with a 628-litre boot, against 410 litres in the D9. The D9 instead gives second-row passengers captain’s chairs, ventilation, massage, ottomans and sliding doors.