Hyundai Motor is now officially in Malaysia, and they are here to stay. With a team of fresh minds taking the helm, Hyundai aims not only to grow its business locally but also to strengthen brand awareness nationwide. Under the new leadership, Hyundai Malaysia has introduced one brand-new model and updated two existing ones to make its lineup more exciting. The trio includes the all-new generation Santa Fe, the facelifted Tucson, and the slightly updated Staria.
During this media drive, Hyundai Malaysia focused on two of its SUVs — the Santa Fe and the Tucson. The Santa Fe is Hyundai’s mid-size SUV designed for both family use and outdoor adventures, while the Tucson is a versatile five-seater SUV available with a wide range of powertrains. Since its debut in 2004, the Tucson has become one of Hyundai’s best-selling models globally.
On this trip, we had the opportunity to experience the Santa Fe 2.5 Turbo, Santa Fe 1.6 HEV, Tucson 1.6 HEV, Tucson 1.6 HTRAC, and the regular Tucson 1.6 Turbo. Due to the number of vehicles available, we rotated cars among the media throughout the drive.
Our journey took us on a three-day, two-night drive to Desaru, covering highways, B-roads, and city streets — giving us a well-rounded taste of each vehicle’s ride comfort, high-speed stability, handling, and refinement. Fuel efficiency, however, will have to wait for a future in-depth review.
We began our drive with the Santa Fe 2.5L Turbocharged Calligraphy, the flagship of the range — and the only unit available for this trip. Naturally, it’s also the most impressive SUV in the lineup. The latest Santa Fe is undoubtedly a head-turner. The front design is bold and masculine without being excessive, while the rear styling — initially divisive — actually grew on me after spending a few days with it. 
Inside, the Calligraphy trim elevates the cabin with premium touches. The combination of wood accents and brown leather upholstery lends the interior a luxurious, almost European feel. Buyers can even opt for a white interior if they prefer. At RM270,000, the Santa Fe Calligraphy justifies its price with its level of refinement and premium features.
Powering this flagship model is a 2.5L turbocharged inline-four producing 281 PS and 422 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Hyundai, it accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. On the road, it feels even stronger than the figures suggest. The generous torque allows effortless acceleration, and the engine pulls cleanly to the redline. I’ll reserve a deeper analysis of ride and handling for the full review once I spend more time with it.
Next, we drove the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 HEV Prestige, mostly on the highway. The updated Tucson maintains its familiar silhouette, but subtle exterior tweaks distinguish it from the pre-facelift version. Power comes from a 1.6L turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 235 PS and 367 Nm. Officially, it sprints from 0–100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, though it feels faster in real-world driving. The hybrid system complements the Tucson’s size perfectly, providing ample power for overtaking and cruising. However, at sustained high speeds, fuel economy does take a hit despite being a hybrid.
The following day, we switched to the Tucson 1.6T 2WD Prime, the lower-spec variant powered by the same 1.6L turbocharged engine (180 PS, 264 Nm) mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. While its cabin feels less premium — with a traditional gear lever instead of the electronic shifter found in higher trims — it offers a simpler, more straightforward driving experience. 
On the road, this variant felt notably nimbler and lighter than the others. With fewer features weighing it down, the car accelerates briskly and corners more eagerly. If you prefer a more direct, uncomplicated SUV without excessive tech, this version of the Tucson is a perfect fit.
After that, we moved on to the Santa Fe Hybrid Prestige, the top variant of the hybrid lineup. It shares the same 1.6L turbocharged hybrid powertrain (235 PS, 367 Nm) as the Tucson. Naturally, some might wonder if this setup is sufficient for the larger Santa Fe. While I didn’t get the chance to drive it personally, the “butt dyno” suggests it’s adequate for everyday driving, though less lively than in the Tucson due to the extra weight. For those who prefer relaxed cruising over spirited driving, the Santa Fe Hybrid makes a solid choice — as long as you can look past the Calligraphy’s extra luxury touches.
Lastly, on our return trip, we drove the Tucson 1.6T 4WD Prestige — the top-of-the-line petrol-only Tucson. With power delivered to all four wheels, it shares the same engine as the 2WD variant but offers greater stability. You can feel the added drivetrain weight slightly under hard acceleration, but during normal driving, most drivers won’t notice a difference. 
After spending three days and two nights with Hyundai’s latest models, one thing became clear — Hyundai has solid products ready to redefine its position in Malaysia. In an era where aggressive pricing from Chinese brands dominates the market, Hyundai’s challenge lies in helping buyers understand the value behind the price tag. With the Santa Fe and Tucson leading the charge, Hyundai’s renewed local presence feels like the start of a promising new chapter. 
