Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-8
Verdict
At RM225,000 versus RM165,360, the Santa Fe asks RM59,640 more, but it buys the 1.6 petrol-hybrid drivetrain with a 1.5 kWh battery. Safety favours it too, with 10 airbags and AEB against six airbags and no AEB listed. Its 628-litre boot dwarfs the Mazda’s 209 litres, while road tax is RM120 instead of RM830. The CX-8 fights back with 192 hp, a longer 2,930 mm wheelbase and the much lower price.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if the 628-litre boot, 10 airbags and AEB matter more than saving RM59,640.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you want the lower price, 192 hp output and longer 2,930 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Mazda CX-8 RM165,360
- Engine and fuel: Santa Fe 1,598 cc petrol hybrid with 1.5 kWh battery; CX-8 2,488 cc petrol with no battery listed
- Power and torque: Santa Fe 177 hp/265 Nm; CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm
- Size: Santa Fe 4,830 x 1,900 x 1,720 mm; CX-8 4,900 x 1,840 x 1,730 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: Santa Fe 2,815 mm/628 litres; CX-8 2,930 mm/209 litres
- Safety and warranty: Santa Fe 10 airbags, AEB and 8-year warranty; CX-8 6 airbags, no AEB listed and 5-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000 | RM 165,360✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,598 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Power | 177 hp | 192 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 258 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 7.9 L/100km |
| Battery | 1.5 kWh | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Boot space | 628 L✓ | 209 L |
| Fuel tank | 67 L | 72 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 8✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 830 |
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
- 628-litre boot is far larger
- 10 airbags and AEB are listed
- RM120 annual road tax; 8-year warranty
- Costs RM59,640 more
- Shorter 2,815 mm wheelbase
- Less power: 177 hp versus 192 hp
CX-8
- RM59,640 cheaper to buy
- 192 hp output beats the Hyundai
- Longer 2,930 mm wheelbase
- 209-litre boot is much smaller
- 6 airbags; AEB not listed
- RM830 annual road tax; 5-year warranty
Santa Fe vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mazda CX-8 better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better if safety kit, boot space, warranty and road tax matter most. The Mazda CX-8 is better if you want the lower price, higher 192 hp output and longer 2,930 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Mazda CX-8 costs RM165,360, so the Mazda is RM59,640 cheaper.
Which has lower road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has much lower annual road tax at RM120. The Mazda CX-8 is RM830 a year, a RM710 difference.