Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige is the sensible buy at RM245,000: it keeps the same 4,830 mm length, 2,815 mm wheelbase, 628-litre boot, 10 airbags, AEB and eight-year warranty as the RM270,000 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy. The RM25,000 gap buys a much stronger 2.5 turbo with 277 hp and 422 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-seat layout. But it also means RM838 road tax instead of RM120, while the Hybrid Prestige gives you seven seats and lower annual tax.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige if you want the lower RM245,000 price, seven seats and RM120 road tax, and can live with 177 hp, 265 Nm and front-wheel drive.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy if you will use the 277 hp, 422 Nm and all-wheel drive enough to justify RM270,000 and RM838 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM245,000 versus RM270,000
- Seating: 7 seats versus 6 seats
- Engine: 1,598 cc petrol hybrid versus 2,497 cc petrol
- Output: 177 hp/265 Nm versus 277 hp/422 Nm
- Driven wheels: front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive
- Road tax: RM120/year versus RM838/year
1.6T Hybrid Prestige
- RM25,000 cheaper to buy
- Seven seats instead of six
- Much lower RM120 annual road tax
- 100 hp down on the 2.5T
- Front-wheel drive only
- Lower 265 Nm torque figure
2.5T Calligraphy
- Much stronger 277 hp output
- Higher 422 Nm torque
- All-wheel drive included
- Costs RM25,000 more
- RM838 annual road tax
- Six seats instead of seven
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 245,000✓ | RM 270,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 277 hp✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 422 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | 264 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres | 628 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd 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 Projectors | 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 | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Individual Second Row Seats, 50:50 Split Folding Third Row Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | — | Twin Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Front, 2 USB-C Front, 4 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, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shades, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| 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, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years | 8 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 838 |
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.
1.6T Hybrid Prestige vs 2.5T Calligraphy FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige or Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy better?
For most buyers, the Hybrid Prestige is the sharper buy because it has the same size, boot, airbags, AEB and warranty for RM25,000 less. The Calligraphy is better only if you want the stronger engine and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy costs RM270,000, which is RM25,000 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Prestige at RM245,000.
Do they have the same space and safety basics?
Yes. Both are 4,830 mm long, have a 2,815 mm wheelbase, 628 litres of boot space, 10 airbags, AEB and an eight-year warranty. The main cabin difference is seven seats in the Hybrid Prestige versus six in the Calligraphy.