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.
Includes an archived model
Current and archived cars are compared side by side. Archived models keep their verified historical specs, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
T1 i-DM starts ZAR 899900 cheaperSanta Fe from ZAR 899,900 · T1 i-DM from ZAR 689,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Engine Power
147 kW
100 kW
Torque
440 Nm
220 Nm
Engine Size
2199 cc
1499 cc
Claimed Mileage
13.8 km/l
90.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
188 mm
190 mm
Boot / Load Bay
703 l
574 l
Airbags
7
Front, front side, and front/rear curtain airbags
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
2000 kg
Seating Capacity
7
5
Warranty
5
7-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty
= leads in this spec
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Both Santa Fe and T1 i-DM are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Santa Fe
+29 pts
Efficiency
T1 i-DM
+48 pts
Safety
Santa Fe
+5 pts
Practicality
Santa Fe
+18 pts
Ownership
Santa Fe
+3 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Santa Fe
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
T1 i-DM
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Santa Fe
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
T1 i-DM
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Model Introduced Year
2001
2026
Generation
Fifth generation Santa Fe on Hyundai's i-GMP platform; 'Sensuous Sportiness' design with distinctive parametric LED lighting signature
Current local listing
Facelift History
Fifth generation launched in SA in 2022; significant styling and interior quality upgrade; distinctive boxy design language with vertical lighting
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
2022
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Discontinued - exact end year not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
SUV
Model Year
Not confirmed
Current
Production Status
Not confirmed
Active
Segment
Not confirmed
SUV
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
SUV
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Ground Clearance
188 mm
190 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2800 mm
Length
4830 mm
4705 mm
Width
1900 mm
1967 mm
Height
1750 mm
1843 mm
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
2000 kg
Seating Capacity
7
5
Boot Space
703 l
574 l
Load Bed Length
703 l
574 l
Load Bed Width
Not confirmed
-
Number of Doors
5
-
Boot Volume
703 l
574 l
Doors
5
-
Seats
7
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
70 l
Ground Clearance Max
188 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance Min
188 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
188 mm
190 mm
Height Mm
1750 mm
1843 mm
Length Mm
4830 mm
4705 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
703 l
574 l
Loadbox Width Mm
Not confirmed
-
Cargo Volume
703 l
574 l
Tare Mass Kg
1980 kg
2000 kg
Width Mm
1900 mm
1967 mm
Gross Vehicle Weight
Not confirmed
2348 kg
Towing Capacity
Not confirmed
1600 kg
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
1690 mm
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
1700 mm
Turning Radius
Not confirmed
-
Front Legroom
Not confirmed
-
Rear Legroom
Not confirmed
-
Front Headroom
Not confirmed
-
Rear Headroom
Not confirmed
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
1455 l
Max Payload
Not confirmed
-
Gross Combined Mass Kg
Not confirmed
3948 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
Not confirmed
2348 kg
Payload Kg
Not confirmed
-
Turning Circle
Not confirmed
-
Turning Circle M
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Engine
2.2 R-Series CRDi Diesel
1.5TD hybrid-dedicated engine
Engine Type
Diesel
1.5TD hybrid-dedicated engine
Displacement
2199 cc
1499 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Power
147 kW
100 kW
Power @ RPM
3800
5200
Torque
440 Nm
220 Nm
Torque @ RPM
1750
2500
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
-
Turbocharger
Yes
-
Top Speed
205 km/h
>180 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.5 sec
-
Engine Position
Front
-
Fuel Grade Required
Diesel
Hybrid
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Engine Type Config
Inline
-
Engine Displacement
2199 cc
1499 cc
Engine Cylinders
4
4
Engine Displacement Cc
2199 cc
1499 cc
Engine Power kW
147 kW
100 kW
Engine Torque Nm
440 Nm
220 Nm
Max Power kW
147 kW
100 kW
Max Torque Nm
440 Nm
220 Nm
Torque Nm Rpm
1750
2500
Valves per Cylinder
Not confirmed
4
Compression Ratio
Not confirmed
12:1
Cylinder Bore
Not confirmed
72 mm
Piston Stroke
Not confirmed
92 mm
Engine Code
Not confirmed
SQRH4J15
Power
Not confirmed
134 bhp
Cylinder Layout
Not confirmed
-
Engine Aspiration
Not confirmed
-
0–100 km/h
8.5 sec
-
Battery Capacity
Not confirmed
18.4
AC Charging Time
Not confirmed
6.6kW AC 30-100% in 180 minutes
Engine Displacement Litres
2199 cc
1499 cc
EV Range
Not confirmed
100 km
Acceleration 0 100
8.5 sec
-
Combined System Power
Not confirmed
250
Combined System Torque
Not confirmed
530
Engine Config
Not confirmed
-
Engine Valves
Not confirmed
4
Induction
Not confirmed
-
Maximum Power
147 kW
100 kW
Maximum Torque
440 Nm
220 Nm
Motor Power
Not confirmed
150
Motor Torque
Not confirmed
310
Power kW Rpm
3800
5200
Turbo Type
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
2WD
Drivetrain Layout
HTRAC AWD
2WD
LSD Available
Yes
-
Paddle Shifters
Yes
-
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transfer Case
Not confirmed
-
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Final Drive Ratio
Not confirmed
-
Number of Gears
Not confirmed
-
Clutch Type
Not confirmed
-
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
2WD
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
-
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
-
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
-
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
-
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Low Range
Not confirmed
-
Axle Layout
All-Wheel Drive
2WD
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Transmission Speeds
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Claimed Mileage
13.8 km/l
90.9 km/l
City Mileage
11.0 km/l
74.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
17.5 km/l
105.5 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
70 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
VI B
Average Fuel Consumption
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Fuel Efficiency
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Combined Consumption
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
Yes
1.1 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
67 l
70 l
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not confirmed
-
Auto Start Stop
Not confirmed
-
Real-world Mileage
13.8 km/l
90.9 km/l
AC Charging Power
Not confirmed
-
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
-
Charging Time AC Full
Not confirmed
6.6kW AC 30-100% in 180 minutes
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
Not confirmed
50kW DC 30-80% in 27 minutes
Charging Type
Not confirmed
-
DC Charging Power
Not confirmed
-
Fuel Type
Not confirmed
Hybrid
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
-
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
1200
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
21
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
-
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
-
Range Wltp
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Airbags
7
Front, front side, and front/rear curtain airbags
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
-
Hill Start Assist
Yes
-
Child Safety Lock
Yes
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
-
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
-
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
-
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
BA
Yes
-
Driver Airbag
Yes
-
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
-
Passenger Airbag
Yes
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
-
TCS
Yes
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Front and rear
AEB
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
-
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Front, front side, and front/rear curtain airbags
Hill Hold
Yes
-
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Front, front side, and front/rear curtain airbags
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
-
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Cruise Control
Yes
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
-
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
-
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
-
Drive Modes
Eco / Normal
-
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
-
Sport Mode
No
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Front and rear
Reverse Camera
Yes
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Not confirmed
-
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Santa Fe
T1 i-DM
Seat Material
Leather
Black synthetic leather with orange stitching
Seat Adjustment
Power 8-way
Driver 6-way electric with ventilation, lumbar support and memory; passenger 4-way electric with ventilation and leg rest
Heated Seats
Front & 2nd Row
-
Ventilated Seats
Front
Front seats
Steering Type
Electric
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
64-Colour Ambient
Multi
Folding Rear Seats
3rd Row Fold Flat
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
-
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
-
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Fabric Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Rear AC Vents
Not confirmed
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Driver 6-way electric with ventilation, lumbar support and memory; passenger 4-way electric with ventilation and leg rest
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Driver 6-way electric with ventilation, lumbar support and memory; passenger 4-way electric with ventilation and leg rest
Performance
Santa Fe +29
Efficiency
T1 i-DM +48
Safety
Santa Fe +5
Practicality
Santa Fe +18
Ownership
Santa Fe +3
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Santa Fe
Performance
74/100
Efficiency
50/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
89/100
Ownership
65/100
T1 i-DM
Performance
45/100
Efficiency
98/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
71/100
Ownership
62/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Hyundai Santa Fe
wins with 77 pts
vs 73 pts for T1 i-DM
In structured scoring, Santa Fe emerges as the stronger overall package. However, T1 i-DM 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 Santa Fe 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 50 vs T1 i-DM 98. 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 99, T1 i-DM 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 65, T1 i-DM 62. 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 89, T1 i-DM 71. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Santa Fe 74, T1 i-DM 45. 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 Santa Fe edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Santa Fe 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 and T1 i-DM in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Santa Fe scores 74 vs 45.
Efficiency: Santa Fe scores 50 vs 98.
Safety: Santa Fe scores 99 vs 94.
Practicality: Santa Fe scores 89 vs 71.
Ownership: Santa Fe scores 65 vs 62.
Final structured scoring gives Santa Fe
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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