Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe is RM44,888 cheaper and suits buyers who want a seven-seat SUV with a petrol-hybrid drivetrain, a 67-litre tank and an 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty. The Maxus MIFA 9 is the bigger, electric seven-seater: 5,270 mm long with a 3,200 mm wheelbase, 1,010 litres of boot space, 435 km EV range and up to 120 kW DC charging. Pick space and EV running for the Maxus; pick price, warranty and easier long-distance use for the Hyundai.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want the lower RM225,000 price, petrol-hybrid flexibility and the longer 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
MIFA 9
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if you want a larger electric MPV with 435 km range, 120 kW DC charging and much more boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 turbo petrol-hybrid with 177 hp/265 Nm engine and 64 hp/264 Nm motor; Maxus MIFA 9 single electric motor with 241 hp/350 Nm
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long and 2,815 mm wheelbase; Maxus MIFA 9 5,270 mm long and 3,200 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Maxus MIFA 9 1,010 litres
- Charging/range: Hyundai Santa Fe has a 67-litre fuel tank; Maxus MIFA 9 has 435 km EV range, 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km manufacturer warranty; Maxus MIFA 9 5 years/100,000 km manufacturer warranty with 8 years/200,000 km extended…
Santa Fe
- RM44,888 cheaper to buy
- Petrol-hybrid drivetrain avoids charging stops on long interstate drives
- More complete listed cabin practicality: wireless charger, seven USB-C ports and rear window shades
- Smaller boot at 628 litres versus 1,010 litres
- Shorter body and wheelbase than the Maxus MIFA 9
- No sunroof or powered sliding doors listed
MIFA 9
- Much larger cabin footprint and boot space
- Full EV drivetrain with 435 km range and 120 kW DC charging
- Powered sliding doors, sunroof and 8-speaker audio are listed
- Costs RM44,888 more
- Manufacturer warranty is shorter at 5 years/100,000 km before extended coverage
- Only one front power socket listed, versus the Hyundai’s wider USB-C and wireless charging provision
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000✓ | RM 269,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | — |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 241 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer | Ternary Lithium Battery |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | — | 435 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.2 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,200 mm |
| Weight | — | 3,095 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 1,010 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on front passenger and outer two second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED Tail Lights |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Sliding and Folding Second Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 220 |
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 vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for lower cost, petrol-hybrid flexibility and manufacturer warranty. The Maxus MIFA 9 is better for maximum space, EV driving, 435 km range and powered sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, while the Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM269,888. That makes the Maxus RM44,888 more expensive.
Which one has more boot space?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has the larger boot at 1,010 litres. The Hyundai Santa Fe has 628 litres, so the Maxus gives you 382 litres more cargo space.