Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM555,000 less and makes the sensible Malaysian family case with its 1,598 cc hybrid-assisted petrol powertrain, RM120 annual road tax and eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The RM780,000 Lexus GX answers with 349 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 1,063-litre boot, against the Hyundai’s 177 hp, 265 Nm, front-wheel drive and 628 litres. But it has five seats, RM2,352 road tax and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Choose the Lexus for power and drivetrain; choose the Hyundai for carrying people without the financial sting.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, lower annual road tax and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty for RM555,000 less.
Pick the Lexus GX if 349 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 1,063-litre boot matter more than seven-seat capacity and purchase cost.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Lexus GX RM780,000.
- Power: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp; Lexus GX 349 hp.
- Torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 265 Nm; Lexus GX 650 Nm.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Lexus GX all-wheel drive.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats; Lexus GX five seats.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Lexus GX 1,063 litres.
Santa Fe
- Seven-seat cabin versus the GX’s five seats.
- 1,598 cc hybrid-assisted petrol powertrain with RM120 annual road tax.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm trail the GX’s 349 hp and 650 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- 628-litre boot is 435 litres smaller than the GX’s.
GX
- 349 hp and 650 Nm from its 3,445 cc twin-turbo petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive and a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic.
- 1,063-litre boot, plus a head-up display and ventilated, heated front seats.
- RM555,000 more expensive than the Santa Fe.
- Five seats instead of seven.
- RM2,352 annual road tax versus RM120.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM780,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM2,352 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 349 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| 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 | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 6 | 10 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 175 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 3,110 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 1,063 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/70R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/70R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" 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 Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| 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 with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front |
| 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 |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 14" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 10-speaker Pioneer 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 & GX for sale
Santa Fe vs GX FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Lexus GX better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the better fit for most Malaysian families because it has seven seats, far lower road tax and costs RM555,000 less. The Lexus GX is better for buyers who prioritise 349 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus GX costs RM555,000 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which SUV is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Santa Fe carries seven people, two more than the GX. The GX has the larger boot at 1,063 litres, compared with 628 litres in the Hyundai, so it favours luggage capacity over third-row seating.