Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM69,154 less yet brings seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase for family duty. Its 1.6-litre petrol hybrid has 177 hp, 265 Nm and a 64-hp electric motor, while road tax is RM120 a year. The RM294,154 Mazda MX-5 is the deliberately narrower-use choice: two seats, 130 litres of boot space, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, plus a power-folding retractable hard-top. For most Malaysian households, the Santa Fe is the rational buy; the MX-5 is for a buyer who specifically wants its compact open-top layout.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty for RM69,154 less.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a two-seat convertible with rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a power-folding hard-top matters more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Mazda MX-5 2 seats.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres.
- Driveline and gearbox: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive 6-speed automatic; Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive 6-speed manual.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Mazda MX-5 RM379.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Mazda MX-5 5 years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- RM69,154 lower purchase price and RM259 lower annual road tax.
- Hybrid assistance, 265 Nm and adaptive cruise control.
- 4,830-mm length and 1,900-mm width versus the MX-5's 3,915 mm and 1,735 mm.
- No power-folding retractable hard-top.
- 177 hp versus the MX-5's 181 hp.
MX-5
- Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual and LSD.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- 181 hp, 220 km/h top speed and 1,119-kg weight.
- RM69,154 more expensive than the Santa Fe.
- Only two seats and 130 litres of boot space, against seven seats and 628 litres.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty versus eight years/160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM294,154 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 181 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
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 & MX-5 for sale
Santa Fe vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Santa Fe is better for family transport, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a lower RM225,000 price. The MX-5 is better only if you specifically want a two-seat rear-wheel-drive manual convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the MX-5 is RM69,154 dearer.
Which has lower running costs on road tax?
The Santa Fe has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM379 for the MX-5. That is a RM259 yearly difference.