Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Fortuner
Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe asks RM225,000 against the Toyota Fortuner’s RM195,880, so the RM29,120 gap buys a longer wheelbase, much larger 628-litre boot, 10 airbags, AEB, an 8-year warranty and far lower RM120 road tax. The Fortuner fights back with diesel torque: 400 Nm versus 265 Nm, all-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive, an 80-litre tank and a taller body. For city-family use, the Santa Fe reads more car-like and spacious; for torque and driveline hardware, the Fortuner has the clearer brief.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want the bigger boot, lower road tax, longer warranty and standard AEB in a seven-seat SUV.
Pick the Toyota Fortuner if you want diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Toyota Fortuner RM195,880
- Power and torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 177 hp/265 Nm; Toyota Fortuner 148 hp/400 Nm
- Driven wheels: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Toyota Fortuner all-wheel drive
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Toyota Fortuner 200 litres
- Safety kit: Hyundai Santa Fe 10 airbags with AEB; Toyota Fortuner 7 airbags with no AEB listed
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120/year; Toyota Fortuner RM754/year
Santa Fe
- 628-litre boot is far larger
- 10 airbags and AEB listed
- RM120 annual road tax
- RM29,120 dearer to buy
- Front-wheel drive only
- Less torque than the Fortuner
Fortuner
- 400 Nm diesel torque
- All-wheel drive
- RM195,880 price undercuts the Santa Fe
- 200-litre boot is small here
- RM754 annual road tax
- No AEB listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000 | RM 195,880✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 15.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,795 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 4 stars — With 3 airbags and no stability control |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | Halogen 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| 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 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 4 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 754 |
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.
Santa Fe vs Fortuner FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Fortuner better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for family space, safety kit and running costs on paper. The Toyota Fortuner is better if you prioritise diesel torque and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM29,120 more than the Toyota Fortuner, at RM225,000 versus RM195,880.
Which has more space for luggage?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the much larger boot at 628 litres. The Toyota Fortuner is listed at 200 litres, so the Hyundai is the clearer pick for regular luggage use.