Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia EV9
Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, RM143,668 less than the Kia EV9 at RM368,668, and that gap is hard to ignore if you need seven seats rather than an EV brief. The Kia fights back with 380 hp, all-wheel drive, a 99.8 kWh battery and 505 km of range; the Santa Fe has 177 hp, front-wheel drive and a 1.5 kWh hybrid battery. Yet the Hyundai carries more boot space, 628 litres versus 333 litres, plus lower RM120 road tax and an 8-year warranty.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want seven seats with the bigger 628-litre boot, lower RM120 yearly road tax, an 8-year warranty and petrol-hybrid refuelling.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want a full-electric seven-seat SUV with 380 hp, all-wheel drive and 505 km of range.
Key differences
- Price: RM225,000 vs RM368,668
- Powertrain: 1,598 cc petrol hybrid vs dual-motor electric
- Power and driven wheels: 177 hp/FWD vs 380 hp/AWD
- Battery and range: 1.5 kWh/no EV range figure vs 99.8 kWh/505 km
- Boot space: 628 L vs 333 L
- Warranty and road tax: 8 years/RM120 a year vs 5 years/RM515 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000✓ | RM 368,668 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Engine | 1,598 cc | Dual motor |
| Power | 177 hp | 380 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| Top speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 1.5 kWh | 99.8 kWh✓ |
| EV range | — | 505 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 628 L✓ | 333 L |
| Fuel tank | 67 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 8✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 515 |
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.
Santa Fe
- RM143,668 cheaper to buy
- Bigger 628-litre boot
- 10 airbags and AEB
- 177 hp versus EV9’s 380 hp
- Front-wheel drive only
- No EV range figure
EV9
- 380 hp dual-motor output
- All-wheel drive
- 505 km electric range
- RM143,668 higher purchase price
- Smaller 333-litre boot
- 5-year warranty versus Santa Fe’s 8 years
Santa Fe vs EV9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia EV9 better?
For most buyers watching price, boot space and warranty, the Hyundai Santa Fe is the easier pick. Choose the Kia EV9 if you specifically want full-electric running, all-wheel drive and far stronger 380 hp output.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 is RM143,668 more expensive than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which has more boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the larger boot at 628 litres. The Kia EV9 has 333 litres, despite being longer, wider and taller.