Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM143,668 less than the RM368,668 Kia EV9 and carries only RM120 annual road tax against RM515. It is also the more useful seven-seater for luggage, with 628 litres of boot space versus 333 litres. The EV9 answers back with 380 hp and 700 Nm from two motors, all-wheel drive, a 99.8-kWh battery and 505 km of range. Its 350-kW DC charging and 3.6-kW V2L suit buyers committed to EV charging, but the Santa Fe is the clearer value-led family choice.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if RM143,668 saved, a 628-litre boot and an eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty matter more than EV range and outright performance.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want 505 km of electric range, 380 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and 350-kW DC charging in a larger seven-seat SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia EV9 RM368,668.
- Powertrain: Santa Fe 177 hp/265 Nm 1.6-litre petrol hybrid plus 64 hp/264 Nm motor; EV9 two motors with 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- Driveline: Santa Fe front-wheel drive; EV9 all-wheel drive.
- Size: Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815-mm wheelbase; EV9 is 5,015 mm long with a 3,100-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Santa Fe 628 litres; EV9 333 litres.
- Road tax: Santa Fe RM120 per year; EV9 RM515 per year.
Santa Fe
- RM143,668 cheaper to buy.
- 628-litre boot is 295 litres larger.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the EV9's all-wheel drive.
- No stated EV range, AC/DC charging rate or V2L capability.
- Lacks the EV9's panoramic glass roof, head-up display and remote parking assist.
EV9
- 505-km EV range from a 99.8-kWh battery.
- 380 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 350-kW DC charging, 11-kW AC charging and 3.6-kW V2L.
- Costs RM143,668 more and annual road tax is RM395 higher.
- 333-litre boot is 295 litres smaller.
- Five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe's eight-year/160,000-km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM368,668 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM515 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 380 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 99.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,648 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 333 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental PremiumContact C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| 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 with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| 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 Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery |
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 & EV9 for sale
Santa Fe vs EV9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia EV9 better?
The Santa Fe is better for a lower RM225,000 entry price, lower RM120 road tax and a 628-litre boot. The EV9 is better for electric driving, with 505 km range, 380 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and 350-kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668, which is RM143,668 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe at RM225,000.
Which has more space for a family?
Both have seven seats, but the EV9 is larger outside at 5,015 mm long with a 3,100-mm wheelbase. The Santa Fe carries more luggage, however, with 628 litres of boot space versus the EV9's 333 litres.