Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) has confirmed that both the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe will soon be locally assembled (CKD) here in Kulim, Kedah. Similar to the Hyundai Staria, which is now already a CKD model, the Tucson and Santa Fe were also launched in Malaysia in July last year, after the new national sales company officially took over the reins of the brand.
The two CKD SUV models are expected to be launched here in Malaysia in the second quarter of 2026. With that, the entire HMY lineup here will be fully locally assembled, prior to any new additions the company has planned for the year, including the Ioniq 5 N and 6 N, as well as the Hyundai Stargazer in Q4.
The company did not reveal to what extent it will be sourcing local parts for its cars built here, only stating that it is meeting government regulations for CKD models. Nevertheless, don’t expect significant price changes to the two SUV models when they launch here as CKD models, given the precedent of the Staria, which saw unchanged prices with the introduction of the CKD variants.
It is also unclear if the variant lineup will remain unchanged, as the models are offered with more than one powertrain option, including electrified hybrid powertrains, which could complicate the production process.
The Hyundai Tucson is a C-segment SUV, and is currently offered in its facelift form in four different variants. The entry-level Style variant comes equipped with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-four mill, sending 156 hp and 192 Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The two middle variants, the 1.6T Prime and 1.6T Prestige, instead gets a 1.6-litre turbo-four that sees outputs increased to 180 hp and 264 Nm. This is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and is available with front-wheel drive on the Prime variant, or an all-wheel drive (AWD) setup on the Prestige variant.
READ MORE: 2025 Hyundai Tucson facelift launched in Malaysia – 4 variants, priced from RM144k
The range-topping variant for the Hyundai Tucson in Malaysia currently is the HEV Prestige, which boasts a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and an electric motor, for a combined output of 235 hp and 367 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The same hybrid powertrain is also shared with the larger Hyundai Santa Fe for the two lower-end variants. On the flagship Calligraphy, the D-segment SUV gets a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 281 hp and 422 Nm. Unlike the other two variants, the flagship variant is fitted with AWD as standard.
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