Verdict
At RM299,000 versus RM225,000, the Denza D9 asks RM74,000 more and plays the chauffeur-style MPV card hard: it is 5,250 mm long, has a 3,110 mm wheelbase, powered sliding rear doors and second-row captain seats with ventilation, massage and ottomans. The Hyundai Santa Fe is the smaller SUV at 4,830 mm with a 2,815 mm wheelbase, but it gives you the bigger boot, 628 litres against 410 litres, plus petrol-hybrid range flexibility from a 67-litre tank. Different briefs, not a simple winner.
D9
Pick the Denza D9 if you want a full-EV seven-seat MPV with 520 km of range, powered sliding doors and the better second-row lounge setup.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want the lower price, larger 628-litre boot and petrol-hybrid drivability in a seven-seat SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000
- Powertrain: Denza D9 full EV with one 308 hp/360 Nm motor; Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 turbo petrol hybrid with 177 hp/265 Nm engine and 64 hp/264 Nm motor
- Battery and range: Denza D9 103.36 kWh LFP battery with 520 km EV range; Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery with no EV range listed
- Size: Denza D9 5,250 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall; Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,720 mm tall
- Wheelbase and boot: Denza D9 3,110 mm wheelbase and 410-litre boot; Hyundai Santa Fe 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot
- Warranty and road tax: Denza D9 6 years/150,000 km and RM335 road tax; Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km and RM120 road tax
D9
- 520 km EV range with 166 kW DC charging
- Second-row captain seats get ventilation, massage and ottoman support
- Powered sliding rear doors suit MPV family use
- Costs RM74,000 more than the Santa Fe
- Smaller boot: 410 litres versus 628 litres
- Shorter manufacturer warranty and higher road tax
Santa Fe
- RM74,000 cheaper to buy
- Larger 628-litre boot
- Longer 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty
- No listed EV driving range, unlike the D9’s 520 km
- Second row lacks the D9’s captain seats with ventilation, massage and ottomans
- Smaller 12.3-inch screen and 6-speaker audio versus the D9’s 15.6-inch screen and 14-speaker Dynaudio system
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 299,000 | RM 225,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 265 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| 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 Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion Polymer |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 335 | RM 120✓ |
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.
D9 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Denza D9 is better for EV MPV comfort and second-row luxury. The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for price, boot space and warranty. For most family SUV buyers, the Santa Fe is the easier buy; for chauffeured use, the D9 makes more sense.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000, while the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000. That makes the Denza RM74,000 more expensive.
Which one has more boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has more boot space at 628 litres. The Denza D9 has 410 litres, despite being the larger vehicle externally.