Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 asks RM39,112 more than the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift, and much of that goes into family-use hardware: a 12.3-inch screen, 360-degree camera, six front and six rear parking sensors, rear air-con controls and a powered hands-free boot. It is also 45 mm longer and has a 50 mm longer wheelbase. The TM Facelift remains the rational used-buy proposition at RM185,888, retaining the same 1.6-litre 177 hp/265 Nm hybrid petrol powertrain, six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive and seven seats. Its 634-litre boot is actually 6 litres larger.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift if RM39,112 saved matters more than the MX5’s newer cabin tech, parking aids and longer wheelbase.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want the 360-degree camera, steering lane-keeping, extra airbags and a more accommodating 2nd-row/3rd-row charging setup.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift RM185,888; Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 RM225,000.
- Length and wheelbase: TM Facelift 4,785 mm and 2,765 mm; MX5 4,830 mm and 2,815 mm.
- Motor output: TM Facelift 59 hp; MX5 64 hp and 264 Nm.
- Infotainment display: TM Facelift 8-inch touchscreen; MX5 12.3-inch touchscreen.
- Parking assistance: TM Facelift has four front and four rear sensors with a reverse camera; MX5 has six front and six rear sensors with a 360-degree monitor.
- Tyres: TM Facelift runs 235/65R17 front and rear; MX5 runs 255/45R20 front and rear.
TM Facelift
- RM39,112 less expensive.
- 634-litre boot, versus 628 litres.
- Full-size alloy spare tyre.
- Smaller 2,765 mm wheelbase versus 2,815 mm.
- Warning-only lane keeping, where the MX5 adds steering correction.
- No 360-degree monitor; four front and four rear parking sensors versus six each.
MX5
- 360-degree monitor and six front/rear parking sensors.
- Front centre and driver’s knee airbags, plus rear curtain airbags.
- Rear blower controls, ambient lighting and USB-C ports for all three rows.
- RM39,112 higher purchase price.
- 628-litre boot is 6 litres smaller.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the TM Facelift’s full-size alloy spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM185,888✓ | RM225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 177 hp |
| Torque | 265 Nm | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 75.6 mm | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 59 hp | 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 | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,785 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,685 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 634 litres✓ | 628 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | 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 | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 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 | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | 2x Power Socket, 5x Charging Ports | 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, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with MP3 playback, AUX-in, USB, Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay with Voice Recognition | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | — | 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.
Used cars for sale
TM Facelift vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The MX5 is better equipped for family duty, with a 360-degree camera, steering lane-keeping, more airbags and a 50 mm longer wheelbase. The TM Facelift is the better budget choice, costing RM39,112 less while keeping 177 hp, 265 Nm and seven seats.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000, which is RM39,112 more than the RM185,888 Hyundai Santa Fe TM Facelift.
Which Santa Fe has the better safety and parking equipment?
The MX5 does. It adds a front centre airbag, driver’s knee airbag, rear curtain airbags, steering lane-keeping, six front and rear sensors, and a 360-degree monitor. The TM Facelift has a reverse camera and four sensors at each end.