In Malaysia's SUV market, many buyers compare the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe when choosing a car. These two vehicles are quite similar in price and positioning. Today, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to save you time doing your research.
The Honda CR-V has an OTR price of RM 178,200 - 195,900 in Malaysia, with a total of 4 versions, including the 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.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has an OTR price of RM 225,000 - 270,000 in Malaysia, with a total of 3 versions, including the 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 you have a limited budget, Honda's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. However, be aware that saving a few thousand might involve trade-offs in features, depending on your specific requirements.
The Honda CR-V's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), and its active safety system includes Honda SENSING (ACC, CMBS, LKAS, RDM).
The Hyundai Santa Fe's safety rating is TBD, and its active safety system includes Basic.
Regarding safety features, both vehicles have received good ratings. However, there are some functional differences between the Honda CR-V's Honda SENSING (ACC, CMBS, LKAS, RDM) and the Hyundai Santa Fe's Basic. If you value active safety, you can carefully compare their feature lists.
The Honda CR-V body length is 4500 mm, and the trunk is 450 L.
The Hyundai Santa Fe body length is 4400 mm, and the trunk is 400 L.
In terms of space, the Honda CR-V's body is 100 mm longer than the Hyundai Santa Fe, making the interior seating space slightly more spacious, especially the rear legroom. If you often carry family or need to fit a stroller, a larger body is indeed more practical.
The Honda CR-V uses FWD drive.
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses FWD drive.
The drive method for both cars is the same, both FWD, so there won't be much difference in daily driving feel.
Overall, both the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe are very good models in the Malaysian market. Choosing which one depends on your personal needs and budget. We recommend doing your research, comparing quotes from several dealerships, and test-driving before making the final decision. Buying a car is a big deal, and spending time on research will definitely not be a mistake.