Verdict
The RM25,050 dearer Hyundai Santa Fe is the family tool here: it seats seven, carries 628 litres and stretches to 4,830 mm, versus the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door’s four seats, 211 litres and 3,985 mm length. Its 1.6-litre hybrid-assisted turbo produces 177 hp and 265 Nm from the petrol engine, plus a 64-hp, 264-Nm motor, while the Jimny has a 100-hp, 130-Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. But the Suzuki’s part-time four-wheel drive with low range is the clear choice for low-speed off-road work; the Santa Fe is front-wheel drive.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a far fuller safety and convenience package for family use.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door if part-time four-wheel drive with low range matters more than passenger capacity, luggage space and driver assistance systems.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door RM199,950.
- Seating and boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 4 seats and 211 litres.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1,598 cc hybrid-assisted turbo, 177 hp and 265 Nm engine output plus a 64-hp motor; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 1,462 cc naturally…
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
- Dimensions: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 3,985 mm long with a 2,590 mm wheelbase.
- Safety equipment: Hyundai Santa Fe has autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane-keeping assist; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door has none of these.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Hybrid-assisted turbo powertrain with 177 hp, 265 Nm and a 64-hp motor.
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor.
- Costs RM25,050 more.
- Front-wheel drive lacks the Jimny’s part-time four-wheel drive and low range.
- No full-size spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit.
Jimny 5-Door
- RM199,950 entry price.
- Part-time four-wheel drive with low range and a full-size 15-inch alloy spare.
- At 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide, it is much smaller than the Santa Fe.
- Only four seats and 211 litres of boot space.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm are well below the Santa Fe’s 177 hp and 265 Nm petrol-engine outputs.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information, lane-keeping assist or rear air-conditioning.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM199,950✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-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 Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 130 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 17.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 3,985 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,590 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 211 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Dueller H/L |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Manual adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 50:50 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| 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 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 3 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
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 & Jimny 5-Door for sale
Santa Fe vs Jimny 5-Door FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Suzuki Jimny 5-Door better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for family carrying, with seven seats, 628 litres of boot space and extensive active safety equipment. Choose the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door only if its part-time four-wheel drive with low range is a priority.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door costs RM199,950, so the Hyundai is RM25,050 more expensive.
Which one is better for off-road use?
The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is the off-road choice because it has part-time four-wheel drive with low range, solid axles with coil springs and a full-size spare. The Hyundai Santa Fe is front-wheel drive.