Verdict
The RM27,000 gap is substantial: the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, but brings seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815-mm wheelbase. It is the family-duty choice, with rear air-con controls, a powered boot and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The RM198,000 Toyota Urban Cruiser is a much shorter five-seater at 4,285 mm, yet its 61.1-kWh battery delivers a claimed 426 km of EV range and accepts 7 kW AC or 67 kW DC charging. Pick it if five seats and charging access fit your routine.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and proper third-row accommodation for family trips.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you want a RM198,000 five-seat EV with 426 km of claimed range and 67 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Toyota Urban Cruiser 5 seats and 306 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Toyota Urban Cruiser 4,285 mm and 2,700 mm.
- Energy storage and range: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49-kWh battery with no EV range stated; Toyota Urban Cruiser 61.1-kWh battery and 426 km EV range.
- Warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Toyota Urban Cruiser 5 years/unlimited mileage, with 8 years/unlimited mileage for the battery, inverter and PCU.
- Climate control: Hyundai Santa Fe dual-zone automatic air-con plus rear vents and blower controls; Toyota Urban Cruiser single-zone automatic air-con with no…
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Dual-zone climate control, rear blower controls and a powered hands-free boot.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- RM27,000 dearer than the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
- No stated EV-only range or AC/DC charging capability.
- Larger 4,830-mm body than the Urban Cruiser’s 4,285 mm.
Urban Cruiser
- 426 km claimed EV range from a 61.1-kWh battery.
- 7 kW AC and 67 kW DC charging.
- RM27,000 lower purchase price and a 172-hp electric motor.
- Only five seats and 306 litres of boot space versus the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- No rear air-con listed, versus rear vents and blower controls in the Santa Fe.
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus the Santa Fe’s eight years/160,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM198,000✓ |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | 172 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm✓ | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 61.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 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 | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" 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, 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 | 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| 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 & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| 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, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Manual 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 & Urban Cruiser for sale
Santa Fe vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families because it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con controls. The Urban Cruiser is better for buyers committed to EV charging, with 426 km claimed range and 67 kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000 and the Toyota Urban Cruiser costs RM198,000, so the Santa Fe is RM27,000 more expensive.
Which one has the longer warranty?
The Santa Fe has an eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty. The Urban Cruiser has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, although its battery, inverter and PCU are covered for eight years with unlimited mileage.