Used 2021 Hyundai Palisade for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade cost?

Prices have softened 13.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,163 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.6/5 user-rated SUV with an expert score of 9/10. The model scores 10/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise the spacious interior, abundant features, comfortable ride, elegant design, and high-tech capabilities. The Palisade’s upscale feel also comes through in its premium interior materials and polished presentation, which help it compare favorably with more expensive SUVs.

The main trade-off is that performance is fairly pedestrian, and some owners mention cabin noise at higher speeds or interior materials that can feel less premium than expected for the price. Even so, the Palisade’s family-friendly space and comfort make it a strong fit if you want a three-row SUV that feels more refined than its price suggests.

Good and great deals account for 37.3% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe the Palisade as spacious, comfortable, and feature-rich, and the user feedback also points to a vehicle that feels dependable for everyday family use. The expert review reinforces that impression by emphasizing its smooth, quiet power delivery and its easy, predictable behavior in normal driving.

The cost-effectiveness coverage also notes a free three-year/36,000-mile scheduled maintenance plan, which helps reduce early ownership burden. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about finding a well-kept example with clean history and consistent maintenance.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper report. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin condition, electronics, and how well the SUV has been maintained. Since this model is often chosen for family use, pay close attention to wear in the third row, second-row seating, and high-touch interior surfaces.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Calligraphy trim adds a different grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded interior detailing, and a simulated suede headliner. The Limited remains appealing, but it loses some of that more distinctive exterior treatment and shares an exterior look with SEL models equipped with certain option packages.
• Powertrain: Every Palisade uses a 3.8-liter V6 with 291 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available if you want extra traction.
• Safety package: Every Palisade includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, multiple lane-keeping systems, rear occupant alert, active blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Limited and Calligraphy trims add a Blind View Monitor, and those trims also use a more sophisticated ultrasonic rear occupant alert system.
• Infotainment: Two touchscreen sizes are offered: 8 inches and 10.25 inches. Only the 8-inch system gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the larger screen still requires a wired connection. The Palisade also offers Blue Link connected services, wireless smartphone charging, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Palisade AWD is rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg on the driving loop.

Which 2021 Hyundai Palisade trim should I buy?

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is offered in 4 trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point if you want the Palisade’s core strengths at the lowest price. You still get the V6 powertrain, broad safety coverage, and the roomy three-row layout, so it covers the essentials well.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it builds on the base setup without jumping all the way to luxury-oriented pricing. It’s the trim to target if you want a more complete feature set while keeping the budget in check.
• Limited: This trim adds more upscale equipment and includes the Blind View Monitor plus the more advanced ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. It suits you if you want a more premium-feeling family SUV without going all the way to the top trim.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious version, with the most distinctive styling and the richest cabin presentation. Choose it if you want the Palisade to feel as upscale as possible and you’re willing to pay for the extra polish.

Limited and Calligraphy trims also add the Blind View Monitor and the more advanced ultrasonic rear occupant alert system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,163 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,745, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade's resale value?

The current average of $22,745 sits slightly below last year's $26,220.

That price movement suggests the Palisade has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a seller, that means your upside is better if you purchase near the lower end of the market and keep the vehicle in strong condition.

Because demand is supported by strong owner satisfaction and broad family appeal, well-kept examples should remain attractive to used buyers. The strongest resale prospects will likely belong to clean, well-equipped trims with documented maintenance and accident-free history.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade safe?

The Palisade earns top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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

Every Palisade includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, multiple lane-keeping systems, rear occupant alert, active blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Limited and Calligraphy trims add a Blind View Monitor, and those trims also get the more sophisticated ultrasonic rear occupant alert system.

Highway Drive Assist is a standout feature because it combines adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance very effectively, but it is not designed for hands-free driving. You should still keep your hands on the wheel.

Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Palisade or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds more standard equipment, expanded infotainment capabilities, and a new luxury-themed Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,400, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,745 average.
• It offers strong value, style, and space for family buyers.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,492, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,745 average.
• It adds a polished family-hauler setup with a quiet cabin and broad feature set.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, equipment, and satisfaction, the 2021 is the smart default. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the lower-cost path; if you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative, the 2022 is the next step up.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade compare to the 2021 Kia Telluride?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Hyundai Palisade:

• Pros: Stylish design, Premium interior materials, Spacious third row.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance.

2021 Kia Telluride:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Stylish design, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2021 Hyundai Palisade 9/10 and the 2021 Kia Telluride 9.3/10. The Palisade leans into style, cabin quality, and third-row space, while the Telluride edges ahead on value for money. Both share the same basic performance character, so your choice comes down more to pricing and which design or cabin presentation you prefer.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.