Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Santa Fe costs RM5,000 more than the five-seat bZ4X, but brings a 628-litre boot, 176 litres more than Toyota’s 452 litres, and a 67-litre fuel tank for long family runs. The bZ4X counters with a 73.1-kWh battery, 525-km EV range and 150-kW DC charging, against the Santa Fe’s 1.49-kWh hybrid battery. Its RM200 annual road tax is RM80 higher, however. Choose by use: the Hyundai is the proper three-row family car; the Toyota is the EV for drivers able to exploit its charging capability.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if seven seats, a 628-litre boot and an eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty matter more than full-electric driving.
Pick the Toyota bZ4X if you want 525 km of electric range, 150-kW DC charging and a lower RM220,000 entry price.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Toyota bZ4X RM220,000.
- Seating and boot space: Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; bZ4X 5 seats and 452 litres.
- Battery and EV range: Santa Fe 1.49 kWh with no stated EV range; bZ4X 73.1 kWh and 525 km.
- Motor output: Santa Fe 64 hp and 264 Nm; bZ4X 224 hp and 269 Nm.
- Size: Santa Fe 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide; bZ4X 4,690 mm long and 1,860 mm wide.
- Annual road tax: Santa Fe RM120; bZ4X RM200.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors.
- Its 1.49-kWh battery has no stated EV range versus the bZ4X’s 525 km.
- No fixed panoramic glass roof or auto-parking system.
- Front seats lack the bZ4X’s ventilation.
bZ4X
- 73.1-kWh battery, 525-km EV range and 150-kW DC charging.
- 224-hp motor and 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Fixed panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats and auto parking.
- Only five seats and a 452-litre boot, against the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus the Santa Fe’s eight years.
- RM200 annual road tax is RM80 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM220,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM200 |
| 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 | 224 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 269 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 73.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 525 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 452 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| 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 | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" 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 Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front Centre, 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 outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation & 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 with Centre Armrest |
| 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 | — | Fixed 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, 2 Wireless Chargers, 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 | Powered Panoramic Roof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 6-speaker 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 |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & bZ4X for sale
Santa Fe vs bZ4X FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota bZ4X better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families because it has seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The bZ4X is better for electric driving, with a 73.1-kWh battery, 525-km range and 150-kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM5,000 more than the Toyota bZ4X.
Which one has the better warranty?
The Santa Fe has the longer vehicle warranty at eight years or 160,000 km. The bZ4X has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, while its battery, inverter and PCU are covered for eight years with unlimited mileage.