A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
UX starts ZAR 1249900 cheaperSanta Fe Hybrid from ZAR 1,249,900 · UX from ZAR 957,100
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Engine Power
175.2 kW
146 kW
Torque
367 Nm
188 Nm
Engine Size
1598 cc
2000 cc
Claimed Mileage
13.3 km/l
23.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
177 mm
160 mm
Boot / Load Bay
413 l
268 l
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
1585 kg
Seating Capacity
7
5
Warranty
5
7 years / 105,000km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
UX holds a noticeable edge over Santa Fe Hybrid, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Santa Fe Hybrid
+17 pts
Efficiency
UX
+33 pts
Safety
UX
+66 pts
Practicality
Santa Fe Hybrid
+18 pts
Ownership
UX
+28 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Santa Fe Hybrid
Strengths
More powerful engine output
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
🏆 Overall Winner
UX
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Santa Fe Hybrid
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Large families needing more practicality and usability
UX
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2019
Generation
Current South African Santa Fe Hybrid listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Current Lexus UX compact luxury crossover with the 300h hybrid powertrain
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
Seven-seat SUV
SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.6T Hybrid Elite AWD 6AT
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
published
Segment
SUV
Luxury SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Ground Clearance
177 mm
160 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2640 mm
Length
4830 mm
4495 mm
Width
1900 mm
1840 mm
Height
1770 mm
1520 mm
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
1585 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
2675 kg
2110 kg
Seating Capacity
7
5
Boot Space
413 l
268 l
Towing Capacity
-
-
Front Track Width
-
1550 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1550 mm
Turning Radius
-
5.2 m
Load Bed Length
413 l
268 l
Load Bed Width
-
-
Front Legroom
-
-
Rear Legroom
-
-
Front Headroom
-
-
Rear Headroom
-
-
Front Shoulder Room
-
-
Rear Shoulder Room
-
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
2253 l
-
Number of Doors
5
5
Max Payload
695 kg
525 kg
Boot Volume
413 l
268 l
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
43 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
2675 kg
2110 kg
Ground Clearance Max
177 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance Min
177 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
177 mm
160 mm
Height Mm
1770 mm
1520 mm
Length Mm
4830 mm
4495 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
413 l
268 l
Loadbox Width Mm
-
-
Payload Kg
695 kg
525 kg
Cargo Volume
413 l
268 l
Tare Mass Kg
1980 kg
1585 kg
Turning Circle
-
5.2 m
Turning Circle M
-
5.2 m
Width Mm
1900 mm
1840 mm
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Engine
1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Engine Type
1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Displacement
1598 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
-
Inline 4
Valves per Cylinder
-
-
Power
175.2 kW
146 kW
Power @ RPM
-
6000
Torque
367 Nm
188 Nm
Torque @ RPM
-
4400-5200
Fuel System
-
Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Turbocharger
-
Naturally aspirated
Top Speed
190 km/h
177 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
8.1 sec
Compression Ratio
-
-
Cylinder Bore
-
-
Piston Stroke
-
-
Engine Code
-
-
Power
-
196 bhp
Fuel Grade Required
Hybrid
-
Cylinder Layout
-
Inline 4
Engine Aspiration
-
Naturally aspirated
Engine Type Config
1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
0–100 km/h
9.5 sec
8.1 sec
Engine Displacement
1598 cc
2000 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
1598 cc
2000 cc
Acceleration 0 100
9.5 sec
8.1 sec
Engine Config
1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Engine Cylinders
-
Inline 4
Engine Displacement Cc
1598 cc
2000 cc
Engine Power kW
175.2 kW
146 kW
Engine Torque Nm
367 Nm
188 Nm
Engine Valves
-
-
Induction
-
Naturally aspirated
Max Power kW
175.2 kW
146 kW
Max Torque Nm
367 Nm
188 Nm
Maximum Power
175.2 kW
146 kW
Maximum Torque
367 Nm
188 Nm
Power kW Rpm
-
6000
Active Exhaust
-
-
System Output
175.2
-
Torque Nm Rpm
-
4400-5200
Turbo Type
-
Naturally aspirated
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Transmission
Automatic
ECVT
Drive Type
4WD / AWD
FWD
Drivetrain Layout
4WD / AWD
FWD
LSD Available
-
-
Transfer Case
-
-
Differential Lock
-
-
Paddle Shifters
Standard
-
Final Drive Ratio
-
-
Number of Gears
6 km/h
-
Transmission Type
Automatic
ECVT
Clutch Type
-
-
Drivetrain
4WD / AWD
FWD
Transmission
Automatic
ECVT
4WD Engagement
-
-
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
-
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Gearbox Type
Automatic
ECVT
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
4WD / AWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
Transmission Speeds
6 km/h
-
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Claimed Mileage
13.3 km/l
23.8 km/l
City Mileage
10.9 km/l
-
Highway Mileage
15.4 km/l
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
43 l
Emission Standard
-
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
-
Auto Start Stop
-
Standard
Average Fuel Consumption
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
13.3 km/l
23.8 km/l
AC Charging Power
-
-
Charging Port Type
-
-
Charging Time AC Full
-
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
-
-
Charging Type
-
-
Combined Consumption
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
DC Charging Power
-
-
Fuel Economy Combined
7.5 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
67 l
43 l
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Hybrid
Low Range Ratio
-
-
Combined Driving Range
-
-
Electric Consumption
-
-
Range Real World Highway
-
-
Range Real World Mixed
-
-
Range Wltp
-
-
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
-
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard,,
Hill Descent Control
-
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard Rear door
ISOFIX Mounts
-
Standard 2
Brake Assist
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard Auto Location
Engine Immobiliser
-
Immobiliser/ Alarm,Intrusion Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
-
Standard
BA
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
-
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Immobiliser/ Alarm,Intrusion Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
-
Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard,,
Knee Airbag
-
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
-
Immobiliser/ Alarm,Intrusion Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Immobiliser/ Alarm,Intrusion Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
-
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
-
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
-
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
-
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
-
EMV// With guidelines
360 Degree Camera
-
-
Autonomous Emergency Braking
-
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Standard
Auto Highbeam
-
Standard
Auto Wipers
-
Auto,Rainsensing
Drive Modes
-
Standard Eco,Normal,Sport
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Reverse Camera
-
EMV// With guidelines
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Park Assist
-
-
Around View Monitor
-
-
Blind Spot Warning
-
-
Forward Collision Warning
-
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe Hybrid
UX
Seat Material
Cloth
Synthetic Leather
Heated Seats
-
Standard Driver and Passenger only
Ventilated Seats
-
-
Ambient Lighting
-
-
Steering Wheel Material
-
3 Spoke/ Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
Standard TFT,12.3-inch
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
-
60:40 -
Driver Seat Adjustment
-
-
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
-
-
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Santa Fe Hybrid grade before assuming a feature is included.
Performance
Santa Fe Hybrid +17
Efficiency
UX +33
Safety
UX +66
Practicality
Santa Fe Hybrid +18
Ownership
UX +28
Moderate difference between the models.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
UX
Performance
55/100
Efficiency
92/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
55/100
Ownership
93/100
Santa Fe Hybrid
Performance
72/100
Efficiency
59/100
Safety
28/100
Practicality
73/100
Ownership
65/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Lexus UX
wins with 76 pts
vs 59 pts for Santa Fe Hybrid
In structured scoring, UX emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Santa Fe Hybrid may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the UX edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Santa Fe Hybrid 59 vs UX 92. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Santa Fe Hybrid 28, UX 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Santa Fe Hybrid 65, UX 93. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Santa Fe Hybrid 73, UX 55. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Santa Fe Hybrid 72, UX 55. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The UX edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The UX scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Santa Fe Hybrid and UX in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Santa Fe Hybrid scores 72 vs 55.
Efficiency: Santa Fe Hybrid scores 59 vs 92.
Safety: Santa Fe Hybrid scores 28 vs 94.
Practicality: Santa Fe Hybrid scores 73 vs 55.
Ownership: Santa Fe Hybrid scores 65 vs 93.
Final structured scoring gives UX
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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