Verdict
For RM225,000, the Santa Fe costs RM16,112 more than the RM208,888 EX30, but it answers a different Malaysian brief: seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con controls against five seats, 318 litres and no rear AC. The EX30 turns the saving into a 69-kWh battery with 476 km of EV range, 175-kW DC charging and 268 hp from its rear motor. Its 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time suits the driver, while the Hyundai’s 4,830-mm body and 2,815-mm wheelbase suit the family.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and rear air-con for regular family duty.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want a smaller five-seat EV with 476 km of range, 175-kW DC charging and much lower entry cost.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
- Road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120 per year; Volvo EX30 RM260 per year.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Volvo EX30 5 seats.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Volvo EX30 318 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm; Volvo EX30 4,223 mm and 2,650 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; Volvo EX30 5 years/unlimited mileage.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot.
- Rear AC vents with blower controls.
- Eight-year, 160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- No panoramic glass roof, which the EX30 gets.
- No auto-parking function.
- No EV-only 476-km range or 175-kW DC charging capability.
EX30
- 69-kWh battery and 476 km EV range.
- 268 hp, 343 Nm rear motor and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 175-kW DC charging, 11-kW AC charging and 3.6-kW V2L.
- Only five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven.
- 318-litre boot is 310 litres smaller than the Santa Fe’s.
- No rear air-con vents or blower controls.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM208,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM260 |
| 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 | 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 |
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 larger families because it has seven seats, rear AC and a 628-litre boot. The EX30 is better for an EV-focused buyer wanting 476 km of range, 175-kW DC charging and 5.3-second acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX30 is RM16,112 cheaper than the Hyundai Santa Fe. The gap is substantial, but the Hyundai adds two seats and 310 litres of boot capacity.
Which has more passenger and luggage space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe does. It has seven seats and a 628-litre boot, while the Volvo EX30 has five seats and 318 litres of luggage space. The Santa Fe is also 607 mm longer and has a 165-mm longer wheelbase.