Hyundai Santa Fe: DM vs MX5
Verdict
At RM159,458 versus RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe DM asks RM65,542 less and still gives seven seats, AWD and a 585-litre boot. The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is the bigger, better-equipped safety choice on paper: 4,830 mm long, 2,815 mm between the axles, 628 litres of boot space, 265 Nm and 10 airbags with AEB. Its 1.6 hybrid also cuts annual road tax to RM120 against RM727. But it is FWD, and its acceleration and fuel-economy figures are not stated.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe DM if you want the lower upfront cost, AWD and clearly stated 10.9-second 0-100 km/h performance.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want the larger body, bigger boot, stronger safety kit and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM159,458 for the Hyundai Santa Fe DM vs RM225,000 for the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5
- Engine and hybrid system: 2,359 cc petrol in the DM vs 1,598 cc petrol hybrid/REV with a 1.5 kWh battery in the MX5
- Power and torque: 176 hp/227 Nm in the DM vs 177 hp/265 Nm in the MX5
- Driven wheels: AWD in the DM vs FWD in the MX5
- Size and boot: 4,690 mm long with 585 litres in the DM vs 4,830 mm long with 628 litres in the MX5
- Safety kit: 2 airbags and no AEB in the DM vs 10 airbags and AEB in the MX5
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 159,458✓ | RM 225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 2,359 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Power | 176 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 227 Nm | 265 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 10.9 s | — |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 7.1 L/100km | — |
| Battery | — | 1.5 kWh |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 585 L | 628 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 64 L | 67 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 | 10✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 8✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 727 | RM 120✓ |
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.
DM
- RM65,542 cheaper to buy
- AWD instead of FWD
- Stated 10.9-second 0-100 km/h and 190 km/h top speed
- Only 2 airbags
- No auto emergency braking
- RM727 annual road tax
MX5
- 265 Nm torque, up from 227 Nm
- 628-litre boot, up from 585 litres
- 10 airbags and auto emergency braking
- RM65,542 higher price
- FWD instead of AWD
- No stated 0-100 km/h, top speed or fuel economy figure
DM vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe DM or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is better on space, torque, safety equipment and road tax. The Hyundai Santa Fe DM still makes sense if you want AWD and the lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000, while the Hyundai Santa Fe DM costs RM159,458. That is a RM65,542 gap.
Which one is more practical for family use?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is more practical on paper. Both have seven seats, but the MX5 is longer, wider and taller, with a 2,815 mm wheelbase and 628-litre boot versus 2,700 mm and 585 litres in the DM.