Verdict
The RM81,112 step from the RM143,888 Tucson to the RM225,000 Santa Fe buys a proper seven-seat D-segment SUV, 628 litres of boot space and a hybrid-assisted 1.6-litre powertrain rated at 177 hp and 265 Nm. It is also 200 mm longer, yet its annual road tax is only RM120 against the Tucson’s RM440. The Tucson remains the sensible five-seat choice: it gives up only 46 litres of boot space, costs far less and has a space-saver spare. For family duty, though, the Santa Fe’s third row, wider cabin and active safety kit carry real weight.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, 628 litres of luggage room and adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if five seats suffice and saving RM81,112 upfront matters more than a third row and hybrid assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Hyundai Tucson RM143,888.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Hyundai Tucson 5 seats.
- Power and torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp and 265 Nm; Hyundai Tucson 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm and 2,755 mm.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Hyundai Tucson 582 litres.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Hyundai Tucson RM440.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats with ISOFIX in the second and third rows
- 177 hp hybrid-assisted powertrain and RM120 annual road tax
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control
- RM81,112 pricier than the Tucson
- No spare tyre; only a tyre repair kit
- 200 mm longer and 55 mm wider than the Tucson
Tucson
- RM143,888 price
- Space-saver spare tyre
- More compact 4,630 mm length
- Five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Santa Fe’s 177 hp and 265 Nm
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM143,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.8 |
| 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 | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 181 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,665 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,488 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 54 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 582 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear 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 | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC Vents |
| 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 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years | 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 Santa Fe & Tucson for sale
Santa Fe vs Tucson FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Tucson better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families, with seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and active safety features including autonomous braking. The Tucson is better value if you need only five seats, costing RM81,112 less.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Hyundai Tucson costs RM143,888, a difference of RM81,112. The Santa Fe also has lower annual road tax: RM120 versus RM440.
Which Hyundai has more luggage space?
The Santa Fe has 628 litres of boot space, 46 litres more than the Tucson’s 582 litres. It also adds a third row, although that extra seating will affect how much luggage space is available in use.