Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM13,502 more than the RM211,498 Kia Sorento, but its 1.6-litre turbo hybrid brings 265 Nm, a 64-hp motor and RM120 annual road tax versus the Sorento’s 232 Nm and RM838. Its 628-litre boot is also vastly more useful than 187 litres. The Sorento counters with Malaysian CKD assembly, automatic high beam and front foglamps, but the Santa Fe’s eight-year/160,000-km warranty against five years/100,000 km makes the extra spend easier to justify.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need the 628-litre boot, lower RM120 road tax and longer eight-year/160,000-km warranty.
Pick the Kia Sorento if saving RM13,502 upfront, CKD assembly, automatic high beam and front foglamps matter more than cargo space and hybrid assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia Sorento RM211,498.
- Powertrain torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 265 Nm; Kia Sorento 232 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Kia Sorento RM838.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Kia Sorento 187 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Kia Sorento 5 years/100,000 km.
- Dimensions: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long and 1,720 mm tall; Kia Sorento 4,810 mm long and 1,695 mm tall.
Santa Fe
- 1.6-litre turbo hybrid with a 64-hp motor and 265 Nm.
- 628-litre boot, versus 187 litres in the Sorento.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- RM13,502 pricier than the Sorento.
- No front foglamps or alarm, unlike the Sorento.
Sorento
- RM211,498 price and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- LED projector headlamps with automatic high beam and front foglamps.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and an alarm.
- RM838 annual road tax versus the Santa Fe’s RM120.
- 187-litre boot is 441 litres smaller than the Santa Fe’s.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe’s eight years/160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM211,498✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 177 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 232 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| 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 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Kia |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 187 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| 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 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 | 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 | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Second Row, 50:50 Split-folding Third Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| 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 Second Row, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB, 1 Second Row USB, 2 Third Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 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 & Sorento for sale
Santa Fe vs Sorento FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the stronger family choice: it has 628 litres of boot space, 265 Nm, hybrid assistance, RM120 road tax and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. Choose the Kia Sorento for its lower upfront cost and specific lighting equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sorento is RM13,502 cheaper than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM120 per year in road tax, compared with RM838 for the Kia Sorento. Its 1.6-litre hybrid-assisted powertrain carries a RM718 annual advantage.