Verdict
These are not like-for-like SUVs. At RM225,000, the seven-seat Santa Fe is RM13,888 cheaper than the five-seat RM238,888 LBX, while bringing a 628-litre boot against 315 litres and a 2,815-mm wheelbase against 2,580 mm. That is a major practicality advantage for a Malaysian family, plus rear air-con blower controls and USB-C ports in the third row. The LBX is a 4,190-mm B-segment SUV, 640 mm shorter than the Santa Fe, and gets an alarm, a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h claim and a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and substantially more cabin length for family duty.
Pick the Lexus LBX if a 4,190-mm five-seat SUV, a 93-hp electric motor and unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty matter more than outright space.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Lexus LBX RM238,888.
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815-mm wheelbase; Lexus LBX is 4,190 mm long with a 2,580-mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe has 7 seats and 628 litres; Lexus LBX has 5 seats and 315 litres.
- Petrol engine output: Hyundai Santa Fe produces 177 hp and 265 Nm; Lexus LBX produces 90 hp and 120 Nm.
- Electric motor output: Hyundai Santa Fe has 64 hp and 264 Nm; Lexus LBX has 93 hp and 185 Nm.
- Vehicle warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe is 8 years or 160,000 km; Lexus LBX is 5 years with unlimited mileage.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- 2,815-mm wheelbase and rear multi-link suspension
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, 360-degree monitor and rear blower controls
- 4,830 mm long versus the LBX's 4,190 mm
- No alarm, while the LBX gets one
- 160,000-km limit on the vehicle warranty
LBX
- 640 mm shorter than the Santa Fe
- 93-hp electric motor and claimed 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Alarm and five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty
- Five seats and a 315-litre boot versus the Santa Fe's seven seats and 628 litres
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus the Santa Fe's eight years
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the Santa Fe's multi-link setup
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM238,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,490 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 90 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 120 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 93 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm✓ | 185 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh✓ | 1.0 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | E-CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,190 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,580 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" 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 Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag |
| 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 Outer 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 | 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 nanoe Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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 | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
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 & LBX for sale
Santa Fe vs LBX FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Lexus LBX better?
The Santa Fe is the better choice for family carrying: it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase. Choose the LBX only if its much shorter 4,190-mm body, alarm and unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty suit your use better.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LBX costs RM13,888 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe is RM225,000 and the LBX is RM238,888.
Which SUV carries more people and luggage?
The Hyundai Santa Fe does. It seats seven and has a 628-litre boot, compared with five seats and 315 litres in the Lexus LBX. It also has a 2,815-mm wheelbase, 235 mm longer than the LBX's.