Verdict
At RM225,000, the Santa Fe undercuts the RM238,888 LBX by RM13,888 while bringing seven seats and a 628-litre boot; the Lexus has five seats and 315 litres. The Hyundai is a markedly larger 4,830mm SUV, 640mm longer than the 4,190mm Lexus, and its 1.6-litre turbo engine produces 177 hp and 265 Nm against 90 hp and 120 Nm. The LBX is the more compact choice, but its 9.6-second 0-100 km/h figure cannot be directly matched because no Santa Fe time is stated.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and the stronger 177 hp, 265 Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine.
Pick the Lexus LBX if a 4,190mm SUV, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and a 93 hp electric motor matter more than passenger and cargo capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Lexus LBX RM238,888.
- Size: Santa Fe 4,830mm long with a 2,815mm wheelbase; LBX 4,190mm long with a 2,580mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot space: Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres; LBX five seats and 315 litres.
- Engine output: Santa Fe 1,598cc turbo with 177 hp and 265 Nm; LBX 1,490cc naturally aspirated unit with 90 hp and 120 Nm.
- Transmission: Santa Fe six-speed automatic; LBX E-CVT automatic.
- Vehicle warranty: Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km; LBX five years/unlimited mileage.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- 177 hp and 265 Nm from the 1.6-litre turbo engine.
- Multi-link rear suspension and six front parking sensors.
- 64 hp electric motor versus the LBX's 93 hp motor.
- Warranty mileage is capped at 160,000 km versus unlimited mileage.
- LED reflector headlamps instead of the LBX's LED projectors.
LBX
- More compact 4,190mm body.
- 93 hp electric motor and a claimed 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty; hybrid battery cover is eight years with unlimited mileage.
- Costs RM13,888 more despite having five seats and a 315-litre boot.
- 90 hp and 120 Nm naturally aspirated engine trails the Santa Fe's 177 hp and 265 Nm turbo unit.
- 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| 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 | — |
| 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 |
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 better for space, seating and engine output: it has seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and 177 hp. The LBX suits buyers who prioritise a shorter 4,190mm body and unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LBX costs RM13,888 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe: RM238,888 versus RM225,000.
Which is better for a large family?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear family choice. It carries seven occupants, has a 628-litre boot and provides rear air-con vents with blower controls, while the Lexus LBX has five seats and 315 litres of cargo space.