Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM23,888 less than the RM248,888 Volvo EC40 and brings a much more family-focused cabin: 628 litres of boot space versus 413 litres, plus a 2,815 mm wheelbase against 2,702 mm. The Volvo answers with electric running, a 70 kWh battery, 488 km range and up to 200 kW DC charging, while its 235 hp, 420 Nm motor drives all four wheels. Choose based on usage: people and luggage favour the Santa Fe; home charging and EV range favour the EC40.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and an eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty for RM23,888 less.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you can charge regularly and want 488 km EV range, 200 kW DC charging and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volvo EC40 RM248,888.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; Volvo EC40 5 seats and 413 litres.
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with 177 hp engine and 64 hp motor; Volvo EC40 electric with a 235 hp motor.
- Battery and range: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh battery with no EV range figure; Volvo EC40 70 kWh battery and 488 km range.
- Driveline: Hyundai Santa Fe front-wheel drive; Volvo EC40 all-wheel drive.
- Warranty and road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km and RM120 yearly; Volvo EC40 5 years/unlimited mileage and RM220 yearly.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- RM23,888 lower purchase price
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging rates versus the EC40's 488 km, 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC figures
- Front-wheel drive versus the EC40's all-wheel drive
- No sunroof or auto parking
EC40
- 488 km EV range from a 70 kWh battery
- 235 hp and 420 Nm motor with all-wheel drive
- 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging
- RM23,888 more expensive
- Only five seats and 413 litres of boot space versus seven seats and 628 litres
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus the Santa Fe's eight years/160,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM248,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM220 |
| 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 | 235 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 70 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,185 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 413 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EC40 for sale
Santa Fe vs EC40 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo EC40 better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 2,815 mm wheelbase. The EC40 is better for EV driving, offering 488 km range, 200 kW DC charging and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EC40 costs RM248,888 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the EC40 is RM23,888 more expensive.
Which has more space, the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo EC40?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has more space: seven seats, a 628-litre boot, 4,830 mm length and a 2,815 mm wheelbase. The Volvo EC40 has five seats, 413 litres of boot space, is 4,440 mm long and has a 2,702 mm wheelbase.