The Hyundai Santa Fe, like its smaller sibling, the Tucson, has been a staple on Malaysian streets for the better part of 20 years.
This D-segment SUV debuted here with the second-generation model, codenamed CM. Though somewhat generic-looking, the second-generation Santa Fe was well received by consumers due to its value-for-money proposition.
Subsequently, the third- and fourth-generation models of the Santa Fe continues the value-for-money proposition, offering a larger D-segment-sized SUV for C-segment SUV money.
Overview
Codenamed MX5 (yes, really), this is the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, and it has been completely overhauled compared to the predecessor model. Gone were the days when the Santa Fe was just another SUV in traffic; it’s now the SUV that you spot from a mile away thanks to its bold and eye-catching styling.
Hyundai Motor Malaysia introduced this model a couple of months ago, offering three variants across two different powertrains:
- Santa Fe HEV Prime: RM 225,000
- Santa Fe HEV Prestige: RM 245,000
- Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy: RM 270,000
Yes, you are paying more than RM 200,000 for a Santa Fe – a massive jump from when the model was offered at prices below RM 200,000 – but that’s also because the new Santa Fe is imported (CBU) from Korea, instead of being locally assembled (CKD) like the older generation models.
Local assembly work should hopefully reduce the sticker price of the Santa Fe, though even at current prices, you’re still getting a well-rounded, value-for-money package.
Exterior
Let’s not beat around the bush here – the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe definitely looks the part – the model is anything but subtle.
Up front the Santa Fe gets rectangular headlights with Hyundai’s H motif – a design cue that’s deployed generously throughout the exterior and interior. Beneath the headlights is yet another H design motif, this time spanning across the lower half of the bumper, creating a very unmistakable front fascia.
It is towards the rear-end that opinions start to split – some absolutely adore the flat rear-end, while others reckon that the tail lights should be positioned higher up. No matter what one thinks, the rear of this Santa Fe is unmistakable.
But it’s not just form over function – Hyundai engineers have engineered (sorry) a very cleverly hidden assist handle, though this is limited to the top-of-the-line Calligraphy variant.
Interior
Similar to the smaller Tucson, the Santa Fe also employs a large dual-display system for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system – the latter with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
What sets the Santa Fe apart from the Tucson and other similarly-priced rivals is the presense of the UV-C sterilisation box, located at the far end of the dashboard, allowing occupants to sterilise items like phones and wallets within 10 minutes. There’s also a dual-opening armrest storage compartment that can be accessed from the front or the back, something which Hyundai claims, is a world’s first.
Hyundai offers a host of interior colour trim with the Santa Fe, depending on the variant selected.
The Prime and Prestige variants offer black leather upholstery with charcoal black oak garnish, which is a relatively sombre and safe combination, but opting for the top-spec Calligraphy opens the doors to additional colours such as Pecan Brown Nappa Leather with Natural Serenity Oak Garnish, Black Monotone Nappa leather with Black Ink Metal Garnish, and Forest Green Nappa Leather with Eucalyptus Stripe Light Garnish – the latter is our personal favourite, as it elevates the cabin ambiance by a large margin.
Both the HEV variants offer 2+3+2 seating arrangement, while the Calligraphy swaps the second-row seats with a pair of captain seats for a 2+2+2 seating arrangement.
Curiously, despite positioned as a flagship variant, the second-row seats in the Calligraphy requires manual labour for sliding the seats forwards and backwards. That said, reclining the seats are done electrically.
Thanks to the squared-off roof line, interior space isn’t compromised at all. The Santa Fe offers a nice, roomy cabin ambiance. Couple that with the Forest Green Nappa Leather upholstery and it makes for a very pleasant place to be in.
Driving Experience
We started off in the Hybrid variant, specifically the Prestige variant, which offers 235 PS and 367 Nm from its turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid powertrain – identical to the Tucson Hybrid.
Due to its larger size and heavier kerb weight, the petrol-electric hybrid version of the Santa Fe doesn’t feel nearly as spritely as the smaller Tucson, though with 367 Nm of torque, the D-segment Santa Fe does build up speed with some effort.
But where the Santa Fe truly shines, is in the Calligraphy trim. With its 2.5-litre turbocharged mill that outputs 281 PS and 422 Nm, this particular Santa Fe is brisk. The driver won’t even need to put pedal to the metal, as the full 422 Nm of torque is available from as low as 1,700 rpm.
Coupled with its smooth-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Santa Fe Calligraphy just soaks up highway miles with ease.
Furthermore, like the smaller Tucson, the D-segment Santa Fe’s suspension has been properly fettled with, offering a very comfortable yet that doesn’t compromise on handling. Yes, Hyundai, like Toyota and other marques that participated in the World Rally Championship (WRC), has gained enough know-how in their suspension tuning in rally and has brought that into their mainstream models.
Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are also kept in check – something welcomed especially for long-distance journeys.
Conclusion
As a product, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a very accomplished one at that – it looks the part, offers impressive ride comfort, and the powertrain options help define what the Santa Fe truly is.
What needs further improvement, we reckon, is in the value-for-money department. At current prices, the Santa Fe is marginally more expensive than some of its segment rivals, mirroring a similar issue faced by the smaller Tucson.
But, as it stands, not many rivals can offer the number of features that the Santa Fe can, especially at that price point. Similar segment SUVs that are imported, like the Subaru Outback, is priced from RM 310k for the turbo XT variant, considerably more than the Santa Fe. Even so, the Outback is strictly a five-seater, while the Santa Fe can be had as a six- or seven-seater model.
For a value-added, fully-featured D-segment SUV, it’s hard to deny that current value proposition brought by the Santa Fe, even at current price. With local assembly likely to reduce prices, we reckon that the Santa Fe may just find even more homes here in Malaysia.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Photo Gallery
