Verdict
At RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM3,200 more than the RM221,800 Toyota Camry, but it answers a very different family brief. Its seven seats, 628-litre boot and 1.49-kWh hybrid battery suit buyers who need space and lower RM120 annual road tax. The Camry is the sharper sedan choice on paper for outright engine output, with 201 hp, an eight-speed automatic and a quoted 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time. But its five seats, 524-litre boot and RM867 road tax are meaningful trade-offs in Malaysia.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and RM120 annual road tax rather than sedan performance.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want a five-seat sedan with 201 hp, an eight-speed automatic and a quoted 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Toyota Camry 5 seats.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 177-hp 1.6L turbo hybrid with one 64-hp motor; Toyota Camry 201-hp 2.5L naturally aspirated petrol.
- Transmission: Hyundai Santa Fe 6-speed automatic; Toyota Camry Direct Shift 8-speed automatic.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Toyota Camry RM867.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and 628-litre boot
- 1.6L turbo hybrid with a 1.49-kWh battery
- Eight-year, 160,000-km warranty
- Costs RM3,200 more
- Six-speed automatic versus the Camry's eight-speed unit
- No head-up display
Camry
- 201-hp 2.5L petrol engine and quoted 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Eight-speed automatic, head-up display and 9-speaker JBL audio
- RM3,200 lower purchase price
- Five seats versus the Santa Fe's seven
- 524-litre boot is 104 litres smaller
- RM867 annual road tax versus RM120
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-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 dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 14 |
| 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 | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 524 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| 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 Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 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 | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM867 |
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 & Camry for sale
Santa Fe vs Camry FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Camry better?
The Santa Fe is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The Camry suits drivers wanting a lower-priced five-seat sedan with 201 hp, eight gears and a quoted 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Toyota Camry costs RM221,800, so the Santa Fe is RM3,200 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has far lower annual road tax at RM120, against RM867 for the Toyota Camry. That is an annual difference of RM747.