Verdict
The RM16,112 gap puts the Hyundai Santa Fe at RM225,000 and the Volvo EX30 at RM208,888, but these are very different answers to family transport. The Santa Fe’s 7 seats, 628-litre boot and 2,815-mm wheelbase suit a larger household, while rear AC blower controls matter in Malaysia. The EX30 is 607 mm shorter, yet its 268-hp rear motor delivers 5.3-second 0-100 km/h performance and its 69-kWh battery is rated for 476 km. Pick space and long-distance family practicality in the Hyundai; pick EV driving and city-friendly dimensions in the Volvo.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-conditioning controls for regular family use.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want a 476-km EV with a 268-hp rear motor in a much smaller SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
- Seating and boot: Santa Fe 7 seats and 628 litres; EX30 5 seats and 318 litres.
- Length: Santa Fe 4,830 mm; EX30 4,223 mm.
- Powertrain: Santa Fe 177-hp 1.6-litre turbo hybrid engine plus 64-hp motor; EX30 268-hp electric motor.
- Energy and charging: Santa Fe 1.49-kWh battery and 67-litre fuel tank; EX30 69-kWh battery, 11-kW AC and 175-kW DC charging.
- Warranty: Santa Fe 8 years or 160,000 km; EX30 5 years unlimited mileage, with an 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Rear AC vents with blower controls.
- Driver’s seat memory and rear window shades.
- RM16,112 dearer.
- Only a 64-hp electric motor versus the EX30’s 268 hp.
- No panoramic glass roof or automatic parking.
EX30
- 476-km claimed range from a 69-kWh battery.
- 268-hp, 343-Nm rear motor and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 175-kW DC charging, 3.6-kW V2L and automatic parking.
- Five seats and a 318-litre boot versus the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- No rear air-conditioning vents or blower controls.
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus the Santa Fe’s eight years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM208,888✓ |
| 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 | 268 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 343 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 69 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 476 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 318 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 19" 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 | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on 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 Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | 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-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | — |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C 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 | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Harman Kardon 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 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✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM260 |
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 & EX30 for sale
Santa Fe vs EX30 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo EX30 better?
The Santa Fe is better for a seven-seat family and luggage, with 628 litres of boot space. The EX30 is better for EV ownership, offering 476 km of range, 175-kW DC charging and a 268-hp motor.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM16,112 more than the Volvo EX30: RM225,000 against RM208,888.
Which is easier to park in town?
The Volvo EX30 is easier to place in tight spaces at 4,223 mm long, 607 mm shorter than the 4,830-mm Santa Fe. Both have six front and six rear parking sensors plus a 360-degree camera.