Verdict
These two cars serve radically different Malaysian lives. At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM74,900 less, carries 628 litres and pays RM120 yearly road tax; its 1.6-litre petrol hybrid combines a 177 hp engine with a 64 hp motor. The RM299,900 MG Cyberster is a two-seat rear-drive convertible with a 338 hp, 475 Nm motor, a 77 kWh battery and 508 km range. Its 5.0-second 0-100 km/h claim is the clear performance draw, but family practicality is nowhere close.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and much lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the MG Cyberster if a two-seat electric convertible with 338 hp, 508 km range and 5.0-second 0-100 km/h acceleration is the priority.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; MG Cyberster RM299,900.
- Seats: Hyundai Santa Fe 7; MG Cyberster 2.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; MG Cyberster 249 litres.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp 1.6-litre petrol engine plus 64 hp motor; MG Cyberster 338 hp electric motor.
- Energy storage: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh battery and 67-litre fuel tank; MG Cyberster 77 kWh battery and 508 km EV range.
- Road tax per year: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; MG Cyberster RM395.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- RM74,900 lower purchase price.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- No quoted EV range, AC or DC charging capability against the Cyberster's 508 km range and 144 kW DC charging.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Cyberster's rear-wheel drive.
Cyberster
- 338 hp and 475 Nm electric motor with 5.0-second 0-100 km/h.
- 77 kWh battery, 508 km range and 144 kW DC charging.
- Powered scissor doors and eight-speaker Bose audio.
- RM74,900 more expensive and RM275 more in annual road tax.
- Only two seats and a 249-litre boot, against the Santa Fe's seven seats and 628 litres.
- Driver and passenger plus front-side airbags only, versus the Santa Fe's added rear curtain, front-centre and driver's knee airbags.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM299,900 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 338 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 475 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 77 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 508 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 144 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 195 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,535 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,913 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,329 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,885 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 249 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Pirelli P Zero Elect |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloys |
| 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 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 | — |
| 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 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 7" Dual Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Powered Scissor Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 7 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain, 8-year/150,000 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 & Cyberster for sale
Santa Fe vs Cyberster FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or MG Cyberster better?
The Santa Fe is better for passengers and luggage, with seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The Cyberster is better for electric performance, delivering 338 hp, 475 Nm, 508 km range and a claimed 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The MG Cyberster costs RM299,900, which is RM74,900 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe at RM225,000. Annual road tax is also RM395 for the Cyberster versus RM120 for the Santa Fe.
Can the MG Cyberster replace the Santa Fe as a family car?
Not if you need to carry more than one passenger or substantial luggage. The Cyberster has two seats and 249 litres of boot space; the Santa Fe has seven seats and a 628-litre boot.