Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM65,542 more, but brings a 1.6-litre turbo hybrid with 177 hp, 265 Nm and RM120 annual road tax, against the DM’s 2.4-litre 176 hp, 227 Nm and RM727. It is also 140 mm longer, rides on a 115 mm longer wheelbase and has a 628-litre boot. The DM remains the lower-cost route to seven seats and is the only all-wheel-drive choice. But the MX5’s active safety equipment, 360-degree monitor, adaptive cruise control and much newer cabin hardware make the price jump tangible.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe DM if RM159,458 pricing, all-wheel drive and its 5-year/300,000-km warranty matter more than newer safety and cabin technology.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you can stretch to RM225,000 for hybrid assistance, more space, a 628-litre boot and substantially fuller safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM159,458 for the DM; RM225,000 for the MX5, a RM65,542 gap.
- Powertrain: DM has a 2,359 cc naturally aspirated petrol engine with 176 hp and 227 Nm; MX5 uses a 1,598 cc turbo petrol hybrid with 177 hp and 265 Nm.
- Driveline: DM is all-wheel drive; MX5 is front-wheel drive.
- Size and boot: DM is 4,690 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase and 585-litre boot; MX5 is 4,830 mm, 2,815 mm and 628 litres.
- Safety assistance: DM has ABS/EBD and stability control; MX5 adds autonomous braking, collision warning, steering-correction lane keeping and blind-spot…
- Road tax and warranty: DM is RM727 yearly with 5 years/300,000 km cover; MX5 is RM120 yearly with 8 years/160,000 km cover.
DM
- RM65,542 cheaper to buy
- All-wheel drive
- 300,000-km warranty mileage
- Less torque at 227 Nm versus 265 Nm
- Smaller 585-litre boot versus 628 litres
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or 360-degree monitor
MX5
- Turbo hybrid produces 177 hp and 265 Nm
- Longer 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree monitor
- Costs RM65,542 more
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- Warranty mileage is capped at 160,000 km versus 300,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,458✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM727 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with variable intake valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,359 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 176 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 227 Nm | 265 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 88 mm | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 64 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.49 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.9 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 208 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 1,666 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 64 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 585 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-Point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Assisted Driver's Seat | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-Con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunvisor with Illuminated Vanity Mirror | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Integrated Radio with CD/WMA/MP3 Playback, AUX-in, USB, iPod Connectivity and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 8 years✓ |
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.
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DM vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe DM or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The MX5 is the better-equipped and roomier Santa Fe, with hybrid assistance, 265 Nm, active safety systems and a 628-litre boot. Choose the DM instead if its far lower RM159,458 price, all-wheel drive and 300,000-km warranty mileage are decisive.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000, which is RM65,542 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe DM at RM159,458.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe has more passenger and luggage space?
The MX5 is larger in every quoted exterior dimension: 4,830 mm long and on a 2,815 mm wheelbase, versus 4,690 mm and 2,700 mm for the DM. Its boot is also 43 litres larger at 628 litres.