Honda CR-V or Hyundai Santa Fe? A Real Car Review Tells You the Answer

In the Malaysian SUV market, many buyers compare Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe when choosing a car. The price and positioning of these two cars are quite close. Today, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time doing research.

Price and Versions

Honda CR-V's OTR price in Malaysia is RM 178,200 - 195,900, with a total of 4 versions, including 2026 e:HEV 2.0L 2WD RS (RM 195,900), 2026 1.5T 4WD V (RM 181,900), 2026 e:HEV 2.0L 2WD E (RM 178,200) and more.

Hyundai Santa Fe's OTR price in Malaysia is RM 225,000 - 270,000, with a total of 3 versions, including 2025 2.5T DCT 4WD Calligraphy 6 Seats (RM 270,000), 2025 HEV 1.6T AT 2WD Prestige 7 Seats (RM 245,000), 2025 HEV 1.6T AT 2WD Prime 7 Seats (RM 225,000) and more.

From a price perspective, the starting price of the Honda CR-V is indeed RM 46,800 cheaper than the Hyundai Santa Fe. If your budget is limited, Honda's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. But be aware, the difference of a few thousand might involve trade-offs in features, depending on your specific needs.

Safety Equipment

Honda CR-V's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include Honda SENSING (ACC, CMBS, LKAS, RDM).

Hyundai Santa Fe's safety rating is TBD, active safety system includes Basic.

Regarding safety equipment, both cars received good ratings. However, there are some differences in functionality between Honda CR-V's Honda SENSING (ACC, CMBS, LKAS, RDM) and Hyundai Santa Fe's Basic. If you value active safety, you can carefully compare the function lists of both.

Configuration and Technology

Honda CR-V adopts FWD drive mode.

Hyundai Santa Fe adopts FWD drive mode.

The drive modes of both cars are the same, both FWD, there won't be much difference in daily driving feel.

Maintenance and Service

Honda CR-V warranty 5 years/unlimited mileage, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.

Hyundai Santa Fe warranty 5 years/300,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.

Conclusion

Overall, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe are both very good models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose depends mainly on your personal needs and budget. We suggest doing your homework, comparing quotes from several car dealers, and test driving before making a final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending time on research will never go wrong.