Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Santa Fe undercuts the five-seat Outback at RM279,000 by RM54,000, while its RM120 annual road tax is far below RM878. Its 1.6-litre hybrid pairs 177 hp and 265 Nm with a 64-hp motor, and brings 628 litres of boot space plus a longer 2,815-mm wheelbase. The Outback counters with all-wheel drive, 185 hp, a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a 206-km/h top speed. For Malaysian family use, the Hyundai’s extra two seats, lower road tax 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 much lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a sunroof matter more than extra seats and price.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Road tax per year: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe seven seats and 628 litres; Subaru Outback five seats and 522 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe eight years/160,000 km; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
- Audio: Hyundai Santa Fe 12.3-inch touchscreen with six speakers; Subaru Outback 11.6-inch touchscreen with 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- 1.6-litre hybrid with a 64-hp electric motor
- Eight-year/160,000-km warranty
- Front-wheel drive instead of the Outback's all-wheel drive
- Six-speaker audio versus an 11-speaker Harman Kardon system
- No sunroof
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- 185 hp, 9.6-second 0-100 km/h and 206-km/h top speed
- 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio and a tilt-and-slide sunroof
- Costs RM54,000 more
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM120
- Only five seats and 522 litres of boot space
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12 |
| 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 CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| 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 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 |
| 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 | — |
| 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, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 & Outback for sale
Santa Fe vs Outback FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Subaru Outback better?
The Santa Fe is the better family buy: it costs less, seats seven, has a 628-litre boot and carries an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. Choose the Outback instead if its all-wheel drive and quicker quoted performance are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the Outback is RM54,000 more expensive.
Which has more seats and luggage room?
The Santa Fe has seven seats and 628 litres of boot space. The Outback has five seats and 522 litres, leaving the Hyundai with two extra seats and 106 litres more luggage capacity.