Malaysian Chinese Car Buyers Must-See: Comprehensive Comparison of CR-V vs Santa Fe

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

Price and Variants

The OTR price of Honda CR-V 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), etc.

The OTR price of Hyundai Santa Fe 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), etc.

Looking at the price, the starting price of Honda CR-V is indeed RM 46,800 cheaper than Hyundai Santa Fe. If your budget is limited, Honda's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. But also note, the cost savings of a few thousand Ringgit might involve trade-offs in features, which depends on your specific needs.

Power and Fuel Economy

Honda CR-V is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cyl, 170 hp. Official fuel consumption 8.0 L/100km.

Hyundai Santa Fe is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cyl, 170 hp. Official fuel consumption 8.0 L/100km.

Both cars use the same powertrain, and the driving experience feels basically the same in daily use. Fuel consumption is also similar, no need to worry too much about this.

Space and Comfort

Honda CR-V body length 4500 mm, trunk 450 L.

Hyundai Santa Fe body length 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.

In terms of space, Honda CR-V's body is 100 mm longer than Hyundai Santa Fe, so the interior passenger space is slightly more spacious, especially the rear legroom. If you often carry family or need to fit a stroller, the larger body is indeed more practical.

Features 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 are FWD, so there won't be much difference in daily driving experience.

Who is this suitable for?

Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe are both mainstream choices in the Malaysian market, suitable for family use and daily commuting. If you value brand reputation and resale price more, you can prioritize the one with better reputation; if you care more about cost-performance ratio and features, choose the one with richer specifications. In the end, it is recommended to test drive both, experiencing it personally is the most important.

Summary

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. It is recommended that everyone do their homework, compare quotes from multiple car dealerships, and then go for a test drive to make the final decision. Buying a car is a big deal, spending some time on research will never be wrong.