Verdict
At RM225,000, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM56,073 less and carries RM120 annual road tax, so it is the lower-entry route for buyers who want a petrol-hybrid SUV with a 67-litre tank and 628-litre boot. The RM281,073 Xpeng X9 is the more specialised family carrier: its 94.8-kWh battery claims 535 km, DC charging reaches 537 kW and its 721-litre boot is larger. It is also 486 mm longer, but pays RM365 road tax and its 5,316-mm length needs more parking space.
Santa Fe
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if RM56,073 saved, RM120 road tax and a 4,830-mm seven-seat SUV matter more than EV range and MPV luxury features.
X9
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you want a 535-km electric seven-seater with a larger 721-litre boot, captain seats and fast 537-kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Xpeng X9 RM281,073.
- Power source: Santa Fe 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with a 1.49-kWh battery; X9 electric with a 94.8-kWh battery and 535-km range.
- Size: Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815-mm wheelbase; X9 is 5,316 mm long with a 3,160-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Santa Fe 628 litres; X9 721 litres.
- Road tax: Santa Fe RM120 per year; X9 RM365 per year.
- Warranty: Santa Fe 8 years/160,000 km; X9 5 years/120,000 km, plus an 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
Santa Fe
- RM56,073 lower purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- More compact 4,830-mm SUV body with a 628-litre boot.
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging capability versus the X9's 535 km, 11-kW AC and 537-kW DC figures.
- No air suspension, rear-axle steering, head-up display or auto parking.
- Manual-recline middle row versus the X9's ventilated 14-way captain seats.
X9
- 535-km EV range, 94.8-kWh battery and 537-kW DC charging rate.
- 721-litre boot and 3,160-mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension, rear-axle steering and powered sliding rear doors.
- RM56,073 more expensive and annual road tax is RM365 versus RM120.
- Five-year/120,000-km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe's eight-year/160,000-km cover.
- At 5,316 mm long and 1,988 mm wide, it occupies more space than the Santa Fe.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000✓ | RM281,073 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM365 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 800V 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 | 315 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 94.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & X9 for sale
Santa Fe vs X9 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for EV driving, larger luggage capacity and second-row comfort, with 535 km of range and a 721-litre boot. The Hyundai Santa Fe is the better lower-cost choice, saving RM56,073 and carrying RM120 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, a difference of RM56,073 in the Santa Fe's favour.
Which has more space for seven people and luggage?
The Xpeng X9 has the larger footprint, with a 3,160-mm wheelbase against 2,815 mm, and a 721-litre boot against 628 litres. Its second row also uses individual 14-way captain seats.