In the Malaysian SUV market, many buyers compare the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe when choosing a car. These two cars are quite close in price and positioning. Today, we will do a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time on research.
The OTR price for the Toyota Fortuner in Malaysia is RM 195,880 - 241,880, with 3 versions in total, including 2024 2.8T VRZ Diesel (RM 241,880), 2024 2.7L SRZ Petrol (RM 202,880), 2024 2.4L Standard Diesel (RM 195,880), etc.
The OTR price for the Hyundai Santa Fe in Malaysia is RM 225,000 - 270,000, with 3 versions in total, 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.
From a price perspective, the Toyota Fortuner's entry price is indeed RM 29,120 cheaper than the Hyundai Santa Fe. If your budget is limited, Toyota's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. However, note that the difference of a few thousand might involve trade-offs in features, depending on your specific needs.

The Toyota Fortuner is powered by a 2.5L Diesel engine, 187 hp. Official fuel consumption is 8.5 L/100km.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, 170 hp. Official fuel consumption is 8.0 L/100km.
In terms of power, the Toyota Fortuner's 2.5L Diesel has 17 more horsepower than the Hyundai Santa Fe's 2.0L 4-cyl, offering more confidence in mid-range acceleration, especially when overtaking on highways. However, the Hyundai Santa Fe may have better fuel economy, and the difference in daily city commuting will not be significant.

The Toyota Fortuner's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include.
The Hyundai Santa Fe's safety rating is TBD, active safety systems include Basic.

The Toyota Fortuner body length is 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
The Hyundai Santa Fe body length is 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
The dimensions of both cars are almost identical, with little difference in interior space. For this class of cars, it is more than enough for daily use.

Toyota Fortuner uses FWD drive type.
Hyundai Santa Fe uses FWD drive type.
Both cars have the same drive type, both are FWD, so there won't be much difference in daily driving feel.

Overall, both the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe are quite good models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose depends on your personal needs and budget. It is recommended to do your homework, compare quotes from several dealerships, and then test drive to make a final decision. Buying a car is a big matter; spending time on research will never go wrong.