Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheaper seven-seater at RM225,000, while the Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073 and uses that RM56,073 gap on a much larger MPV body, a 94.8 kWh LFP battery, 535 km EV range and stronger rear-cabin hardware. The Santa Fe counters with a petrol-hybrid powertrain, a 67-litre tank, lower RM120 road tax and an 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty. For a Malaysian family, this is SUV practicality versus electric MPV space.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you want a cheaper seven-seat SUV with petrol-hybrid refuelling, lower annual road tax and the longer vehicle warranty.
X9
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you want the bigger seven-seat MPV, full-EV running, more second-row comfort and a larger boot.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000 | Xpeng X9 RM281,073
- Powertrain: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid with 177 hp/265 Nm engine and 64 hp/264 Nm motor | Xpeng X9 single electric motor with 315 hp/450 Nm
- Battery and range: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery with no EV range stated | Xpeng X9 94.8 kWh LFP battery with 535 km EV range
- Size: Hyundai Santa Fe 4,830 mm long with 2,815 mm wheelbase | Xpeng X9 5,316 mm long with 3,160 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres | Xpeng X9 721 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km and RM120/year | Xpeng X9 5 years/120,000 km vehicle warranty, 8 years/160,000 km battery warranty…
Santa Fe
- RM56,073 cheaper to buy
- 8-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty is longer than the Xpeng X9's vehicle warranty
- Petrol-hybrid drivetrain with a 67-litre tank suits buyers who do not want to plan charging
- Smaller body and wheelbase than the Xpeng X9
- Less boot space at 628 litres versus 721 litres
- Middle row is a 60:40 split-folding bench, not 14-way individual captain seats with ventilation
X9
- Much larger cabin footprint with a 5,316 mm length and 3,160 mm wheelbase
- 535 km EV range, 11 kW AC charging and up to 537 kW DC charging
- Second-row captain seats, triple-zone climate control and a 27-speaker audio system
- RM56,073 more expensive to buy
- Vehicle warranty is shorter at 5 years/120,000 km
- Higher annual road tax at RM365 versus RM120
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 225,000✓ | RM 281,073 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-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 | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 94.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| 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 | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Double 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 Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 365 |
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 X9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for space, EV range and second-row comfort. The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for a lower purchase price, lower road tax and longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM56,073 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe, at RM281,073 versus RM225,000.
Which one has more space?
The Xpeng X9 has more space on paper: it is 5,316 mm long with a 3,160 mm wheelbase and 721 litres of boot space, versus the Santa Fe's 4,830 mm length, 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628 litres.