Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM33,112 more than the RM191,888 Renault Koleos, but the gap buys a larger D-segment SUV with seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and a 1.6 turbo petrol hybrid set-up with a 64 hp motor. The Koleos is the simpler C-segment choice: five seats, a 2.5 naturally-aspirated petrol engine and useful published figures of 9.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 8.1 L/100 km. For a Malaysian family, the Santa Fe is the practical stretch; the Koleos is the cheaper, less complex buy.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, the bigger boot and the stronger driver assistance package.
Pick the Renault Koleos if you want the lower purchase price, a full-size spare tyre and a conventional five-seat SUV layout.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Renault Koleos RM191,888
- Segment and seating: Hyundai Santa Fe D-segment with 7 seats; Renault Koleos C-segment with 5 seats
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1,598 cc turbo petrol hybrid with 177 hp/265 Nm engine plus 64 hp/264 Nm motor; Renault Koleos 2,488 cc naturally-aspirated petrol…
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Renault Koleos 542 litres
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Renault Koleos 5 years/150,000 km
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 a year; Renault Koleos RM830 a year
Santa Fe
- Seven seats versus five in the Koleos
- Larger cabin footprint, with a 2,815 mm wheelbase versus 2,705 mm
- Adds blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- Costs RM33,112 more to buy
- Tyre repair kit only, while the Koleos gets a full-size spare
- No front foglamps, while the Koleos has them
Koleos
- RM33,112 cheaper to buy
- Full-size spare tyre included
- Published 9.5-second 0-100 km/h, 8.1 L/100 km economy and 200 km/h top speed figures
- Five seats only, versus seven in the Santa Fe
- Smaller 542-litre boot versus 628 litres
- Lacks blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000 | RM 191,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 171 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 226 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | X-Tronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,672 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,678 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,705 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,540 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 542 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Nexen N Priz RH7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding with one-touch operation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents |
| 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 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) |
| 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 | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| 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 vs Koleos FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Renault Koleos better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for family use, with seven seats, a bigger boot, more driver assistance and a longer 8-year/160,000 km warranty. The Renault Koleos makes more sense if you want to spend less and only need five seats.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, while the Renault Koleos costs RM191,888. That makes the Santa Fe RM33,112 more expensive.
Which SUV is more practical for a family?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is more practical on paper: seven seats, 628 litres of boot space, third-row USB-C ports and ISOFIX points for the second and third rows. The Renault Koleos has five seats and a 542-litre boot.