Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM15,200 more than the RM209,800 smart #5, yet it answers a different Malaysian family brief. Its 2,815-mm wheelbase, 628-litre boot and third row make it the practical people carrier, with an eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty. The five-seat smart is the EV choice: its 100-kWh battery claims 590 km of range, while 400-kW DC charging and a 358-hp rear motor promise far stronger straight-line pace. But its RM455 annual road tax is RM335 higher than the Santa Fe’s RM120.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 67-litre petrol-hybrid fuel tank and the longer eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty.
#5
Pick the smart #5 if you want a 590-km EV, 400-kW DC charging, 358 hp and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; smart #5 RM209,800.
- Seats: Hyundai Santa Fe 7; smart #5 5.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with 177 hp engine and 64 hp motor; smart #5 358-hp electric motor.
- Battery/range: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh and no EV range claim; smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km.
- Charging: Hyundai Santa Fe has no AC/DC charging rate listed; smart #5 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; smart #5 RM455 per year.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats with ISOFIX in the second and third rows.
- 628-litre boot and a 67-litre fuel tank.
- Eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty.
- Costs RM15,200 more.
- No EV-only range or AC/DC charging capability.
- No panoramic glass roof, head-up display or auto parking.
#5
- 100-kWh battery with 590 km claimed EV range.
- 400-kW DC charging, 22-kW AC charging and 3.3-kW V2L.
- 358 hp, 373 Nm and a 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Only five seats versus the Santa Fe's seven.
- RM455 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty versus eight years/160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM209,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM455 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 800V 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 | 358 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 373 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 100 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 590 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 400 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | — | 6.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,260 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 630 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| 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 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass 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, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components 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 & #5 for sale
Santa Fe vs #5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or smart #5 better?
The Santa Fe is better for seven-seat family use, with a third row and 628-litre boot. The smart #5 is better for EV driving, bringing 590 km of claimed range, 400-kW DC charging and 358 hp.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 is RM15,200 cheaper than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM455 for the smart #5. The difference is RM335 per year.