Santa Fe V (MX5) vs RX V (AL30): which is better?
Hyundai Santa Fe V (MX5) (2023–present) vs Lexus RX V (AL30) (2022–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Hyundai Santa Fe V (MX5)
Lexus RX V (AL30)Specifications
| Hyundai Santa Fe V (MX5) | Lexus RX V (AL30) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2023–present | 2022–present |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 2.5 Turbo | 2.4 Turbo (RX350) |
| Power, up to | 281 hp | 279 hp |
| Torque, up to | 422 Nm | 430 Nm |
| Gearbox | dual-clutch (DCT) | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 830 mm | 4 890 mm |
| Width | 1 900 mm | 1 920 mm |
| Height | 1 720 mm | 1 695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 815 mm | 2 850 mm |
| Fuel tank | 67 L | 65 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 29 450 ₸ | ≈ 28 750 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Hyundai Santa Fe V (MX5)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 281 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Currently in production — can be bought new
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Hyundai 8DCT gearbox (wet clutch): jerking when pulling away, software updates
Gearbox (Hyundai 8DCT (wet clutch)): jerks when pulling away, software updates.
Lexus RX V (AL30)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 279 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- Toyota Dynamic Force engine (A25A, M20A, T24A, V35A): new, little reliability data so far
- Gearbox Toyota Direct Shift 8AT/10AT: the gearboxes are new
Engine (Toyota Dynamic Force (A25A, M20A, T24A, V35A)): few widespread issues: the engines are relatively new, with less data.
Gearbox (Toyota Direct Shift 8AT/10AT): the gearboxes are new; there are complaints about harsh shifts, fixed by a software update.
Which one to choose
- Santa Fe V (MX5) — if you care more about: power, fuel tank.
- RX V (AL30) — if you care more about: torque, wheelbase, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Santa Fe V (MX5) or RX V (AL30)?
Santa Fe V (MX5): up to 281 hp, RX V (AL30): up to 279 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Santa Fe V (MX5) — about 29 450 ₸, RX V (AL30) — about 28 750 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.