Used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $14,656
• Best MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Most Popular: SE AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without paying for all-wheel drive. It's a great value option.

• Avg. market price: $16,259 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 30 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a hefty price tag. It's the most popular trim for good reason.

• Avg. market price: $15,017 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 46 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SE Ultimate FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE Ultimate FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features without going for the highest price. It balances luxury and value.

• Avg. market price: $16,259 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 5 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE Ultimate FWD listings

Limited Ultimate FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Ultimate FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV experience without the AWD price premium. It offers luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $16,259 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited Ultimate FWD listings

SE Ultimate AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE Ultimate AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive. It's a great option for varied conditions.

• Avg. market price: $14,656 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE Ultimate AWD listings

Limited Ultimate AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Ultimate AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the best features and all-wheel drive capability. It's ideal for those who prioritize luxury.

• Avg. market price: $16,829 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited Ultimate AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 46 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering great features at a competitive price.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE Ultimate AWD

At $14,656 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,259 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE Ultimate AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE FWD

The SE FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 18/25 MPG/MPGe.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 8.52% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,106 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

Yes — the 4.5/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 8.00/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is framed as a bargain-minded family-size crossover SUV that emphasizes safety, roominess, and dependability. It is also described as a practical choice for shoppers who want a safe, spacious SUV without paying more than they need to. With a 31.8% share of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still reflects that value-oriented positioning.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is presented as dependable and reassuring, with an emphasis on family-friendly utility and safety. The expert notes also point to a quiet cabin, a comprehensive equipment list, and Hyundai’s impressive warranty and roadside-assistance programs, all of which support the case for lower-stress ownership.

Its performance notes are mixed, though: the V6 is described as refined and strong enough for the vehicle, but the braking components are called out as a weak spot under repeated hard use. For used buyers, that means long-term ownership risk is more about wear-and-tear condition than basic durability, so a careful inspection matters.

What should I look for when buying a used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

At 68.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing has any accident history. Focus on body condition, brake feel, and how the cabin equipment operates, since this model’s value proposition depends heavily on getting the safety and comfort features you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE is well equipped right out of the box, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats and a Clean Air cabin air filtration system. The SE Ultimate adds bigger wheels and tires, navigation, a panoramic glass sunroof, premium sound, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. The Limited Ultimate adds HID headlights that aim around corners, LED taillights, second-row captain’s chairs, and silver trim on the doors.
• Powertrain: All trims use a 3.3-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is described as plenty powerful for the Santa Fe and refined in everyday driving.
• Safety package: Hyundai’s driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems are available, and Blue Link adds automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driving settings for speed, curfew, and geographic boundaries. The test vehicle had all the systems Hyundai offers for the Santa Fe.
• Infotainment: The Santa Fe uses an 8-inch display screen, a CD player, four main menu shortcut buttons, knobs for common radio and climate functions, and three free years of Blue Link subscription services.
• Fuel efficiency: During testing, the Santa Fe returned an even 20 mpg on a mixed driving loop.

Which 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe trim should I buy?

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is offered in 3 trim levels: SE, SE Ultimate, and Limited Ultimate.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry point and still want a well-equipped SUV with practical family-friendly features. It is the trim to target if you care most about getting the Santa Fe’s core strengths without paying for extras.
• SE Ultimate: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a long list of comfort and convenience upgrades, including navigation, a panoramic glass sunroof, premium sound, and heated and ventilated front seats.
• Limited Ultimate: Choose this if you want the most upscale version of this model year, with the added lighting and second-row captain’s chairs that set it apart from the lower trims.

The safety package is broadly available, but the test vehicle had all the driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems Hyundai offers for the Santa Fe.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,106 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.52% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 68.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,223, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe's resale value?

The current average of $14,436 sits slightly below last year's $15,780.

That decline suggests the Santa Fe has already absorbed some of its depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. A lower entry cost gives you more room to absorb normal wear while still staying competitive when you eventually sell.

Because the market still shows meaningful deal availability, a well-bought Santa Fe should remain attractive to value-focused shoppers later on. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a Top Safety Pick Plus award from IIHS.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai’s safety tech includes automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driving settings tied to speed, curfew, and geographic boundaries. The Santa Fe also offers driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, and the test vehicle had all of them.

One caveat is that the expert notes the adaptive cruise control could be refined and the lane-departure warning could be more tactile. Even so, the overall safety package is a major strength for used buyers.

Should I buy a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2018 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2018 if:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.52% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2018 stands out as one of the safest SUVs you can buy and a raging bargain in its segment.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $14,801, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $14,436 average.
• It moves to a true fourth-generation design and sits between compact and midsize SUV sizing.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest value and the most compelling used-market pricing, the 2018 is the better buy. If you’d rather pay more for the newer-generation design and a more modern overall package, the 2019 is the alternative to consider.

How does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe compare to the 2018 Kia Sorento?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.