Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM2,311 more than the Subaru Forester, but brings seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase against the Subaru’s five seats, 496 litres and 2,670 mm. Its 1.6-litre turbo petrol-hybrid setup pairs a 177-hp engine with a 64-hp motor, while annual road tax is just RM120 versus RM838. The Forester counters with all-wheel drive, X-Mode and a space-saver spare. For Malaysian family duty, the Santa Fe’s extra row and eight-year/160,000-km warranty make the stronger case.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and substantially lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, X-Mode and a space-saver spare matter more than a third seating row.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Subaru Forester RM838.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Subaru Forester 5 seats and 496 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm and 2,670 mm.
- Driveline and engine output: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive with a 177-hp 1.6L engine plus 64-hp motor; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a 182-hp 2.
- Manufacturer warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Subaru Forester 5 years/100,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Petrol-hybrid system with a 64-hp motor.
- Eight-year, 160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare tyre.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Space-saver spare tyre.
- 205 km/h top speed and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds.
- Five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven.
- 496-litre boot versus 628 litres.
- Five-year, 100,000-km warranty versus eight years and 160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM838 |
| 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 | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 247 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 |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 496 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) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, 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 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 | Rear AC 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, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| 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 | Backlit 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 & Forester for sale
Santa Fe vs Forester FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Forester better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families: it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot, lower RM120 road tax and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. Choose the Forester for all-wheel drive, X-Mode and its space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is RM2,311 more expensive, at RM225,000 versus RM222,689 for the Subaru Forester.
Which has the larger cabin package?
The Hyundai Santa Fe does. It is 175 mm longer, has a 145-mm longer wheelbase, carries seven rather than five occupants and provides a 628-litre boot versus 496 litres.