Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM27,000 more than the RM198,000 Tesla Model Y, but brings a 2,815 mm wheelbase, third row and an eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty. The Model Y is the stronger practical EV for a five-seat household: its 60 kWh battery is rated for 466 km, its 295 hp motor reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and the 854-litre boot beats the Santa Fe’s 628 litres. The Hyundai counters with lower RM120 annual road tax and a 67-litre petrol tank for journeys away from chargers.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, rear air-con blower controls and the longer eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if five seats are enough and you want 466 km EV range, 175 kW DC charging and a larger 854-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- Seats: Hyundai Santa Fe 7; Tesla Model Y 5.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Tesla Model Y 854 litres.
- Motor output: Hyundai Santa Fe 64 hp and 264 Nm; Tesla Model Y 295 hp and 420 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Tesla Model Y RM305.
- Vehicle warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Tesla Model Y 4 years/80,000 km.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats with ISOFIX for second- and third-row seats.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 360-degree monitor and six front plus six rear parking sensors.
- Costs RM27,000 more.
- 628-litre boot is 226 litres smaller.
- 64 hp motor trails the Model Y’s 295 hp motor.
Model Y
- 466 km EV range from a 60 kWh battery.
- 175 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging.
- 854-litre boot, plus heated and ventilated front seats.
- Only five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter.
- RM305 annual road tax is RM185 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM305 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | — |
| Torque | 265 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 295 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 60 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,921 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on Two Outer 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model Y for sale
Santa Fe vs Model Y FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Tesla Model Y better?
The Santa Fe is better for families needing seven seats and a longer vehicle warranty. The Model Y is better for a five-seat household prioritising 466 km EV range, 175 kW DC charging, stronger motor output and an 854-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Tesla Model Y costs RM198,000, so the Santa Fe is RM27,000 dearer.
Can the Tesla Model Y match the Hyundai Santa Fe for family seating?
No. The Model Y has five seats and ISOFIX on the two outer rear seats. The Santa Fe has seven seats, with ISOFIX in the second and third rows, plus a dedicated third-row seatbelt provision.