Hyundai Santa Fe: TM vs MX5
Verdict
This is a straight new-versus-outgoing call. At RM169,888 versus RM225,000, the Hyundai Santa Fe TM is RM55,112 cheaper and still gives you seven seats, a 2.4 litre petrol engine and a 70 litre tank. The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 asks a lot more, but it brings the newer hardware: 177 hp and 265 Nm against 170 hp and 225 Nm, a 1.5 kWh hybrid battery, more cabin length, a 628 litre boot, 10 airbags, AEB and RM120 annual road tax instead of RM727.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe TM if you want the lower purchase price, seven-seat space and a larger 70 litre fuel tank without paying for the newer hybrid package.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 if you want the newer-generation Santa Fe with stronger torque, more boot space, 10 airbags, AEB and much lower road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe TM RM169,888; Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 RM225,000
- Engine and hybrid hardware: TM 2,359 cc petrol with no battery; MX5 1,598 cc petrol hybrid/REV with 1.5 kWh battery
- Output: TM 170 hp and 225 Nm; MX5 177 hp and 265 Nm
- Size: TM 4,770 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,680 mm tall; MX5 4,830 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,720 mm tall
- Boot space: TM 547 litres; MX5 628 litres
- Safety and tax: TM 6 airbags, no AEB and RM727 road tax; MX5 10 airbags, AEB and RM120 road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 169,888✓ | RM 225,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 2,359 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Power | 170 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 225 Nm | 265 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 1.5 kWh |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,765 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Boot space | 547 L | 628 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 70 L | 67 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 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.
TM
- RM55,112 cheaper to buy
- Same seven-seat SUV format
- Larger 70 litre fuel tank
- Lower 225 Nm torque figure
- No auto emergency braking
- Higher RM727 annual road tax
MX5
- Stronger 265 Nm torque output
- Bigger 628 litre boot
- 10 airbags plus auto emergency braking
- RM55,112 higher purchase price
- Smaller 67 litre fuel tank
- Still front-wheel drive like the TM
TM vs MX5 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe TM or Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 better?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 is better on paper, with more torque, more boot space, 10 airbags, AEB and lower road tax. The Hyundai Santa Fe TM is the better buy if the RM55,112 saving matters more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 costs RM225,000, while the Hyundai Santa Fe TM costs RM169,888. That makes the MX5 RM55,112 more expensive.
Which Santa Fe is more practical for family use?
Both have seven seats, but the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 has the larger boot at 628 litres versus 547 litres in the Hyundai Santa Fe TM, plus a longer 2,815 mm wheelbase against 2,765 mm.