Verdict
At RM225,000 against RM190,788, the Hyundai Santa Fe asks RM34,212 more, but it is a bigger D-segment SUV with seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and an 8-year/160,000 km warranty. Its 1.6 turbo hybrid also has 177 hp, 265 Nm and a 64 hp motor. The Subaru Crosstrek is smaller, with five seats and 315 litres, but it counters with all-wheel drive, a space-saver spare tyre and lower entry cost. For a Malaysian family, this is space and warranty versus AWD and price.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a much larger 628-litre boot and the longer 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want the cheaper car, all-wheel drive and a proper space-saver spare instead of a tyre repair kit.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788
- Powertrain output: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp/265 Nm plus 64 hp motor; Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp/196 Nm
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long with 2,815 mm wheelbase; Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 mm long with 2,670 mm wheelbase
- Seats and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats/628 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 5 seats/315 litres
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Subaru Crosstrek 5 years/100,000 km
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and ISOFIX for the 2nd and 3rd rows
- Much larger 628-litre boot
- Longer 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty
- RM34,212 more expensive to buy
- Front-wheel drive only; the Crosstrek has all-wheel drive
- Tyre repair kit only; the Crosstrek gets a space-saver spare
Crosstrek
- Cheaper by RM34,212
- All-wheel drive as standard
- Gets a front tilt-and-slide sunroof and front foglamps
- Only five seats versus the Santa Fe's seven
- Boot space is 315 litres versus 628 litres
- Shorter 5-year/100,000 km warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000 | RM 190,788✓ |
| 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 direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 196 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| 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 | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion |
| 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 for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| 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 with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| 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, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 438 |
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 Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for family use, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and longer warranty. The Subaru Crosstrek is better if you value all-wheel drive and a lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM34,212 more than the Subaru Crosstrek. That gap buys a larger D-segment body, seven seats, more boot space and a longer warranty.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear advantage, with 628 litres of boot space against the Subaru Crosstrek's 315 litres. It is also a seven-seater, while the Crosstrek has five seats.