A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV: the short answer
Santa Fe and Tiggo 9 PHEV are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Recorded price context
Santa Fe:
last listed from
ZAR 899,900
·
Tiggo 9 PHEV:
current from
ZAR 839,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Maximum Power
Santa Fe147 kW @ 3800 rpm
Tiggo 9 PHEV455 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
Santa Fe440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Tiggo 9 PHEV920 Nm
Engine Size
Santa Fe2199 cc
Tiggo 9 PHEV1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Santa Fe13.8 km/l
Tiggo 9 PHEV16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
Santa Fe188 mm
Tiggo 9 PHEV183 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2D 4WD Executive
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Santa Fe
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Santa Fe
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
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 South Africa Tiggo 9 PHEV range
Facelift History
Fifth generation launched in SA in 2022; significant styling and interior quality upgrade; distinctive boxy design language with vertical lighting
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
2022
2026
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Production Status
discontinued
active
Segment
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1980 kg
2265 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Model Year
Not confirmed
2026
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Length
4830 mm
4810 mm
Width
1900 mm
1925 mm
Height
1750 mm
1741 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
188 mm
183 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
70 l
Boot/Cargo Space
703 l
448 l
Kerb Weight
1980 kg
2265 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not Officially Disclosed
2886 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
621 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
3 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.9 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1025 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
990 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
960 mm
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Power Windows
All
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
15W Wireless
Standard
Sunroof
Electric Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
No
-
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
-
12V Accessory Socket
12V
-
AC Type
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Boot Opener
Inside
-
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
-
Electric Folding Mirrors
Yes
-
Engine Check Warning
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Standard
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Front Power Outlet
Yes
-
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside
-
Headlamp Height Adjust
Manual
-
Headlamp Washer
No
-
Power Mirrors
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
-
Service Reminder
Yes
-
Spare Wheel
Steel
Not Available
Tachometer
Yes
-
Telescopic Steering
No
-
Tilt Steering
Yes
-
Trip Computer
Yes
-
Vanity Mirror
Yes
-
Air Conditioning
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rim Size
20-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Sound System
8 Meridian Premium
8
Unlocking
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charger
15W Wireless
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
2065 l
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Engine
2.2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2199 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
147 kW @ 3800 rpm
455 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
920 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
205 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
8.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
74.2 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
222.2 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
160 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Engine Position
Front
-
Gearbox
8-speed Automatic
3 DHT
Drivetrain Layout
HTRAC AWD
AWD
LSD Available
Yes
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
Not Officially Disclosed
Hybrid DHT
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
4WD Hi Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
3 DHT
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Officially Disclosed
Hybrid DHT
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Claimed Mileage
13.8 km/l
16.1 km/l
City Mileage
11.0 km/l
13.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
17.5 km/l
18.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
70 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Real-world Mileage
13.8 km/l
16.1 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC/DC
Fuel Tank Litres
67
70
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
1400
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Available
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Available
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
1400 km
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Airbags
7
Multiple airbags
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
Standard
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Sport Mode
No
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Seat Material
Leather
Leatherette / leather
Seat Adjustment
Power 8-way
-
Heated Seats
Front & 2nd Row
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Front
Standard
Steering Type
Electric
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
64-Colour Ambient
Standard
Folding Rear Seats
3rd Row Fold Flat
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Power
Fabric Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Power
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Seat Trim
Not Officially Disclosed
Leatherette / leather
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Infotainment System
12.3-inch Touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
8 Meridian Premium
8
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch Digital Cluster
Standard
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 2 USB-C
Front and rear USB where listed
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Standard
FM Radio
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
AUX Input
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Infotainment Display
Touchscreen
-
Rear Usb
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
8 Meridian Premium
8
Infotainment Screen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
LED Headlamps
Full LED Parametric
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
20-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Not Officially Disclosed
White, black, grey, silver, blue, green and other official Chery market colours by model.
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Rear Wiper
Yes
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
SUV
-
DRL
LED
Standard
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Full LED Parametric
Standard
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Standard
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Front Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Headlamps
Full LED Parametric
Standard
Headlight Type
Full LED Parametric
Standard
Headlights
Full LED Parametric
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Standard
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
4WD System Type
Not Officially Disclosed
AWD / 4WD as listed
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
188 mm
147 mm
Ground Clearance Min
188 mm
147 mm
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Tyre Size
255/45 R20
20-inch alloy
Wheel Type
20-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Steel
Not Available
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
20-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
-
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Spare Tyre
Steel
Not Available
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
20-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electronic parking brake
Wheels
20-inch Alloy
-
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Tilt
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Service Plan Distance
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Warranty Years
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
CO2 Emissions
188 g/km
33 g/km
Start Stop System
No
-
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Diesel
Petrol
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
Spec
Santa Fe
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Ownership Role
Private and family
flagship or capability-focused
Price Zar
899900 ZAR
989900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Historical listed price
flagship or capability-focused
Starting Price
899900
989900
Starting Price Zar
899900
989900
In depth: how these cars differ
This Santa Fe and Tiggo 9 PHEV comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Santa Fe 74 vs Tiggo 9 PHEV 98.
Efficiency index: Santa Fe 55 vs Tiggo 9 PHEV 72.
Safety-equipment index: Santa Fe 98 vs Tiggo 9 PHEV 94.
Practicality index: Santa Fe 89 vs Tiggo 9 PHEV 70.
Ownership-cover index: Santa Fe 65 vs Tiggo 9 PHEV not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Santa Fe and Tiggo 9 PHEV image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Tiggo 9 PHEV leads by 7 points
Santa Fe and Tiggo 9 PHEV are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Tiggo 9 PHEV +24
Efficiency
Tiggo 9 PHEV +17
Safety
Santa Fe +4
Practicality
Santa Fe +19
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Tiggo 9 PHEV
Performance
98/100
Efficiency
72/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
70/100
Santa Fe
Performance
74/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
89/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChery Tiggo 9 PHEV
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 78 pts for Santa Fe
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tiggo 9 PHEV leads. However, Santa Fe may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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