Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM71,610 less than the RM296,610 Mazda CX-80 and carries only RM120 annual road tax against RM830. Its 628-litre boot is far more useful for a full family than the Mazda’s 258 litres, while its eight-year/160,000-km warranty is longer. The CX-80 answers with all-wheel drive, a 17.8-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 65 km EV range and 7.2-kW AC charging. For Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly, that is meaningful; for seven-seat luggage duty, the Santa Fe is the easier choice.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and much lower ownership entry costs.
CX-80
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if you can charge at home or work and want 65 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and a more lavish six-seat cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Mazda CX-80 RM296,610.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; Mazda CX-80 RM830 per year.
- Battery and EV range: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh with no stated EV range; Mazda CX-80 17.8 kWh and 65 km.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Mazda CX-80 all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres; Mazda CX-80 six seats and 258 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km; Mazda CX-80 five years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- RM71,610 lower purchase price and RM710 lower annual road tax.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the CX-80's all-wheel drive.
- 1.49-kWh battery and no stated EV range versus 17.8 kWh and 65 km.
- Six-speaker audio and no sunroof, head-up display or ventilated front seats.
CX-80
- 17.8-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 65 km EV range and 7.2-kW AC charging.
- All-wheel drive and a 3,120-mm wheelbase.
- Ventilated front and second-row seats, 12-speaker Bose audio and head-up display.
- RM71,610 higher price and RM830 annual road tax.
- Six seats and just 258 litres of boot space versus the Santa Fe's seven seats and 628 litres.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty versus eight years/160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM296,610 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 189 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 261 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 172 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 270 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 17.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 65 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.2 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,995 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,342 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 258 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| 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 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & 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 | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for second row 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 Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| 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 Heating, Ventilation and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Heating & Ventilation, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| 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, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| 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, 360-degree Monitor |
| 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✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & CX-80 for sale
Santa Fe vs CX-80 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mazda CX-80 better?
The Santa Fe is better for seven occupants, luggage space and lower costs. The CX-80 is better if plug-in charging, 65 km EV range, all-wheel drive and its six-seat captain-chair layout suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-80 costs RM71,610 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which has the better hybrid system for short daily trips?
The Mazda CX-80 does. Its 17.8-kWh battery provides a stated 65 km EV range and accepts 7.2-kW AC charging; the Santa Fe has a 1.49-kWh hybrid battery and no stated EV range.