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Hyundai Santa Fe vs MG MGS9 comparison

Compare performance (288 HP vs 299 HP), boot space and price (51,700 £ vs 38,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Hyundai Santa Fe or MG MGS9?

Hyundai Santa Fe vs MG MGS9: Key differences

Hyundai Santa Fe

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
  • moderately lighter
  • significantly more trunk space
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MG MGS9

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • only slightly more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • significantly more electric range
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe vs MG MGS9 — a quick guide for seven‑seater buyers

Hyundai Santa Fe vs MG MGS9 occupy the same seven‑seat family SUV space but offer very different answers to daily practicality, comfort and running costs. The Hyundai Santa Fe brings a near‑premium cabin feel and an unusually usable luggage area shaped for family life, while the MG MGS9 undercuts on price and leans on a real PHEV electric range to reduce everyday fuel bills. Those differences matter: Santa Fe feels like a thoughtfully finished people‑carrier, and the MGS9 feels like a value‑focused, electric‑first family shuttle. Below we make those contrasts tangible for buyers rather than listing specs.

MGS9

Character and on‑road feel

The Hyundai Santa Fe drives like a relaxed, long‑distance cruiser with suspension and steering tuned for comfort rather than excitement, which makes it easy to live with on motorways. The MG MGS9 delivers a quieter, almost electric‑car sensation in town thanks to its PHEV setup, but it can show front‑wheel strain under harder acceleration and a touch of torque steer. Santa Fe’s refinement and composure reward steady, longer journeys; MGS9’s EV‑leaning character is more rewarding on short commutes and urban trips. If you want calm motorway miles choose the Santa Fe’s demeanour; if silent starts and low‑noise urban running are priorities, the MGS9 is more appealing.

Santa Fe

Practicality and interior usability

Practical differences are obvious the moment you load gear: the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a broad, rectangular boot and clever stowage that make luggage and bulky items simple to arrange. The MG MGS9 genuinely seats seven with a sliding second row that aids legroom, but its cargo area with all seats in use is noticeably tighter and lacks some of Santa Fe’s tidy storage solutions. Santa Fe’s interior materials and numerous cubbies give it a more considered family‑car feel, whereas the MGS9 compensates with high equipment levels and features at a lower price point. For regular heavy packing and ease of use pick Santa Fe; for carrying more people on routine commutes the MGS9 is a smarter, more economical people‑mover.

Comfort and long‑distance behaviour

On long runs the Hyundai Santa Fe’s softer damping and supportive seats keep occupants fresher over hours, and its insulation contains most road and wind noise at normal cruising speeds. The MG MGS9 can be equally comfortable, but its greatest benefit appears when you can use its electric range for long stretches — that quiet, low‑vibration mode makes long commutes easier and cheaper. Because the MGS9 doesn’t offer fast public DC charging in typical spec, long road trips will often revert to petrol mode and erode the EV advantage, while the Santa Fe feels predictable without frequent charging. If your life includes many motorway days without chargers the Santa Fe will be less fussy; if your routine fits within the MGS9’s electric window, it will reward you with quieter, cheaper runs.

City friendliness and ownership costs

In city use the MG MGS9’s meaningful electric range and lower sticker price translate into strong day‑to‑day savings for owners who can charge at home, making parking‑lot running and short errands very cheap. The Hyundai Santa Fe is more expensive up front but gives a more solid, premium cabin that tends to feel more durable and refined over time, which matters if you care about perceived quality. Maneuvering the Santa Fe is more challenging because of its size and turning circle despite good camera aids, whereas the MGS9’s silent EV mode and lighter urban feel are easier to live with even though the infotainment can be slower to respond. If ownership cost and electric commuting top your list, the MGS9 is the pragmatic choice; if long‑term cabin quality and everyday usability matter more, the Santa Fe rewards that priority.

Buyer fit and the trade‑offs to consider

Choosing between the Hyundai Santa Fe and the MG MGS9 is a question of routine: the Santa Fe is best for families who prioritise load space, easier third‑row access and a more refined, comfortable cabin for long trips. The MG MGS9 suits buyers who want a low‑cost seven‑seater with a usable electric commuting range, strong standard kit and greater towing flexibility for occasional trailers. Both are family‑focused but they serve different lifestyles — Santa Fe as a conventional, roomy long‑distance family hauler, MGS9 as a pragmatic, economical PHEV for daily electric miles. The technical comparison that follows will map these real‑world impressions onto drivetrain, range and load figures so you can see exactly which compromises matter for your needs.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Santa Fe

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

MG MGS9 is clearly cheaper – starting at 38,600 £ , while the Hyundai Santa Fe costs 51,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 13,166 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the MG MGS9 uses 2.4 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Hyundai Santa Fe with 3.8 L/100km. The difference is about 1.4 L/100km.

As for electric range, the MG MGS9 offers significantly more range – reaching up to 100 km, about 46 km more than the Hyundai Santa Fe.

MGS9

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the MG MGS9 offers only slightly more power – delivering 299 HP compared to 288 HP. That’s roughly 11 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 8 s, while the MG MGS9 takes 9.6 s. That’s about 1.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the MG MGS9 delivers very slightly more torque with 390 Nm compared to 380 Nm. That’s about 10 Nm more.

Santa Fe

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 7 people.

In terms of curb weight, Hyundai Santa Fe is moderately lighter – 1,920 kg compared to 2,160 kg. The difference is around 240 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers significantly more boot space – 704 L compared to 332 L. That’s a difference of about 372 L.

When it comes to payload, the Hyundai Santa Fe carries moderately more – 665 kg compared to 557 kg. That’s a difference of about 108 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The MG MGS9 is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £38,600
MGS9

MG MGS9

  • Engine Type Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 299 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.4 L/100km
  • Electric Range 100 km
Hyundai Santa Fe
MG MGS9

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe blends practical family friendliness with a hint of premium style, offering roomy, sensible packaging wrapped in modern, confident design. Inside it serves up comfortable seats, straightforward tech and a calm, composed ride that makes daily drives feel a little more grown up — a solid all‑rounder that doesn’t try to be flashy.

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MG MGS9

The MG MGS9 presents itself as a stylish, value-focused flagship SUV with a roomy, well-equipped cabin and contemporary infotainment. It balances a comfortable ride with engaging handling, making it a compelling choice for buyers seeking a feature-rich alternative to established rivals.

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Hyundai Santa Fe
MG MGS9

Costs and Consumption

Price
51,700 - 59,100 £
Price
38,600 - 41,800 £
Consumption L/100km
3.8 - 7.2 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.4 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
54 km
Electric Range
100 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
90 - 162 g/km
co2
54 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5 - 7
Seats
7
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,920 - 2,165 kg
Curb weight
2,160 kg
Trunk capacity
621 - 704 L
Trunk capacity
332 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,900 mm
Width
1,967 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
560 - 665 kg
Payload
557 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
239 - 288 HP
Power HP
299 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
380 Nm
Torque
390 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
176 - 212 kW
Power kW
220 kW
Engine capacity
1,598 cm3
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
B
Brand
Hyundai
Brand
MG
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.