Hyundai Santa Fe vs Volkswagen Tayron
Verdict
The RM34,340 gap buys mainly size, power and warranty. The Santa Fe is the bigger, stronger family hauler here, with 4,830 mm length, 177 hp, 265 Nm, a 67-litre tank, 628-litre boot and an 8-year/160,000 km warranty. The Tayron counters hard: it is CKD, has a 7-speed wet DSG, Dynamic Chassis Control Pro, auto parking, LED projectors, ventilated and massaging front seats, plus a larger 12.9-inch screen. If you need space, Hyundai. If you want kit per ringgit, Volkswagen.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need the larger seven-seat SUV, especially its 628-litre boot, 67-litre tank and 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you want to spend RM34,340 less yet get Dynamic Chassis Control Pro, auto parking, LED projectors and ventilated/massaging front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660
- Listed output: Santa Fe 177 hp/265 Nm; Tayron 148 hp/250 Nm
- Dimensions: Santa Fe 4,830/1,900/1,720 mm; Tayron 4,792/1,852/1,660 mm
- Wheelbase: Santa Fe 2,815 mm; Tayron 2,788 mm
- Boot and fuel tank: Santa Fe 628 litres/67 litres; Tayron 345 litres/55 litres
- Warranty: Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Tayron 2 years/unlimited mileage
Santa Fe
- Higher listed output at 177 hp and 265 Nm
- Much larger 628-litre boot
- Longer 8-year/160,000 km warranty
- Costs RM34,340 more
- Misses the Tayron’s auto parking and Dynamic Chassis Control Pro
- Front seats lack the Tayron’s ventilation and massaging functions
Tayron
- RM34,340 cheaper
- Has Dynamic Chassis Control Pro and auto parking
- Gets ventilated/massaging front seats plus a 12.9-inch screen
- Smaller 345-litre boot versus 628 litres
- Lower listed output at 148 hp and 250 Nm
- Shorter 2-year warranty duration, although mileage is unlimited
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000 | RM 190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,788 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 345 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag |
| 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 Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| 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 and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Single-zone Automatic Climate 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 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 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 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✓ | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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 Tayron FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Santa Fe is better for space, output and warranty. The Tayron is the sharper buy for equipment and price, with DCC Pro, auto parking, better front-seat functions and a lower sticker.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM34,340 more than the Volkswagen Tayron. That extra spend mainly buys a larger body, bigger boot, higher listed output and a longer warranty period.
Which is better for seven-seat family use?
Both seat seven, but the Santa Fe has the clearer family-space advantage: 628 litres of boot space, a 2,815 mm wheelbase and a 67-litre fuel tank against the Tayron’s 345 litres, 2,788 mm and 55 litres.