Verdict
The Santa Fe is the family-hauler answer: its 2,815 mm wheelbase, seven seats and 628-litre boot dwarf the Crosstrek’s 2,670 mm, five seats and 315 litres. Its hybrid system pairs a 177-hp, 265-Nm petrol engine with a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor, and it adds rear air-con blower controls plus a 360-degree monitor. Yet the RM34,212 price gap is substantial. The Crosstrek brings all-wheel drive and a space-saver spare, but its annual road tax is RM438 against the Hyundai’s RM120. For buyers who need seven places and luggage room, the Hyundai earns the spend.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con controls for regular family duty.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive and a RM190,788 entry price matter more than third-row seating and cargo capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres; Subaru Crosstrek five seats and 315 litres.
- Dimensions: Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase; Subaru Crosstrek is 4,480 mm long with a 2,670 mm wheelbase.
- Powertrain output: Hyundai Santa Fe petrol engine produces 177 hp and 265 Nm, plus a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor; Subaru Crosstrek produces 154 hp and 196 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Subaru Crosstrek RM438.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Hybrid assistance with a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor.
- Rear air-con blower controls and front parking sensors.
- Costs RM34,212 more.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek’s all-wheel drive.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare.
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive.
- Costs RM34,212 less.
- Gets a space-saver spare, sunroof and front foglamps.
- Only five seats and a 315-litre boot.
- Lower 154-hp, 196-Nm engine output.
- No rear air-con, front parking sensors or navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM190,788✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM438 |
| 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 |
| 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 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & Crosstrek for sale
Santa Fe vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Santa Fe is better for large families, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815 mm wheelbase. The Crosstrek is the better fit if all-wheel drive and a RM34,212 lower purchase price outweigh cabin and cargo space.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Subaru Crosstrek costs RM190,788, so the Santa Fe costs RM34,212 more.
Which has more practical space?
The Santa Fe is far more practical for passengers and luggage: it has seven seats and a 628-litre boot, versus five seats and 315 litres in the Crosstrek. Its wheelbase is also 145 mm longer.