Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 to the Renault Koleos’ RM191,888, a RM33,112 step up that buys two extra seats, a 628-litre boot and a much broader active-safety package. Its 1.6-litre turbo hybrid also brings 265 Nm from the engine plus a 64-hp electric motor, against the Koleos’ 2.5-litre naturally aspirated 226 Nm. The Koleos is the cheaper five-seat choice, with an 8.1 L/100 km rating and a full-size spare, but its RM830 annual road tax is far higher than the Santa Fe’s RM120.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and autonomous braking with adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Renault Koleos if five seats are enough and you want to save RM33,112 upfront while retaining a full-size spare tyre.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Renault Koleos RM191,888.
- Seats and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Renault Koleos 5 seats and 542 litres.
- Powertrain torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6-litre turbo hybrid 265 Nm plus a 264-Nm motor; Renault Koleos 2.5-litre NA petrol 226 Nm.
- Safety assistance: Hyundai Santa Fe has autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane-keeping steering correction; Renault Koleos has none of these.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Renault Koleos 5 years/150,000 km.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; Renault Koleos RM830 per year.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane keeping
- Eight-year, 160,000-km warranty
- RM33,112 more expensive
- No full-size spare tyre
- Six speakers versus the Koleos’ eight
Koleos
- RM191,888 price
- Full-size spare tyre
- 8.1 L/100 km rated economy and 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Only five seats and a 542-litre boot
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information or lane keeping
- Five-year, 150,000-km warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM191,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| 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 |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 171 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 226 Nm |
| 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 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & Koleos for sale
Santa Fe vs Koleos FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Renault Koleos better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families: it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot, autonomous braking and an eight-year warranty. Choose the Koleos only if five seats suffice and the lower purchase price matters more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is RM33,112 more expensive than the Renault Koleos. That gap brings two extra seats, 86 litres more boot space, hybrid assistance and active safety systems absent from the Koleos.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Santa Fe has the stronger safety suite, adding autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane-keeping steering correction. Both have ABS/EBD, stability control, airbags, ISOFIX and front and rear parking sensors.