Used 2021 Hyundai Palisade for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade cost?

Prices have softened 12.77% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,182 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Palisade earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 9/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise its spacious interior, abundant features, comfortable ride, elegant design, and high-tech capabilities. That lines up with the Palisade’s role as a family-focused three-row SUV that feels more upscale than its price suggests, especially if you want comfort and practicality without giving up style.

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. Even so, the market signal is strong, with 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for the Palisade’s comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and feature-rich setup. The expert review also reinforces that it feels well sorted in everyday driving and easy to live with over the long term.

Hyundai’s free three-year/36,000-mile scheduled maintenance plan adds another ownership perk, which can help reduce early service costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the vehicle was maintained properly and hasn’t picked up wear from heavy family use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a full history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, electronics, and signs of hard family use. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment closely, since the Palisade’s value changes a lot with added comfort, tech, and safety features.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Calligraphy trim stands out with a different grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded interior detailing, a simulated suede headliner, and quilted Nappa leather. The Limited remains appealing, but it loses some of that visual distinction and shares an exterior look with a better-equipped SEL. Base trims are still well equipped, but they miss some of the more upscale presentation and premium cabin touches.
• 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. The setup is strong and quiet, with fuel economy of 21 mpg combined for AWD models.
• 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, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Limited and Calligraphy trims add a Blind View Monitor and a more advanced ultrasonic rear occupant alert system.
• Infotainment: The Palisade offers 8-inch and 10.25-inch touchscreen systems. Both can pair two phones to Bluetooth at once, but only the 8-inch setup gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen still requires a wired connection.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is rated at 21 mpg combined, 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, Calligraphy.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Palisade’s core space, style, and safety without paying for extra luxury touches. It still gives you the fundamentals that make the SUV appealing, but it is the least likely trim to feel upscale compared with the higher versions.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more equipment while staying below the luxury-focused upper trims. If you want a balanced mix of comfort, tech, and price, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more premium-feeling cabin and more advanced convenience and safety features. It adds meaningful upscale appeal and is a strong fit if you plan to keep the SUV for family duty and want more of the high-end experience.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest interior presentation and the most distinctive styling. It suits you best if you want the Palisade to feel as close to a luxury SUV as possible.

Limited and Calligraphy trims 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 is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,182 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.77% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,917, 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 $22,917 sits slightly below last year's $26,271.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy now, you’re entering at a lower baseline than last year, which can help soften depreciation pressure later. Strong demand for well-equipped, family-friendly SUVs should still support values for clean, well-maintained examples.

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 2021 Hyundai 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, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Limited and Calligraphy trims add a Blind View Monitor and a more advanced ultrasonic rear occupant alert system that can detect movement and send a text message after you’ve left and locked the SUV.

Highway Drive Assist is a standout feature because it works smoothly and can handle distance, speed, and lane maintenance very well. Just remember that it is not designed for hands-free driving, so you still need to 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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.77% 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 $20,490, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,917 average.
• It offers strong value, style, and space for family buyers.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,577, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,917 average.
• It adds a polished family-hauler setup with a quiet cabin and broad feature set.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, equipment, and market availability, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is the better budget play, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer model-year alternative.

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 more toward upscale styling and a roomy third row, while the Telluride gets the edge on value for money. Both share premium materials and similar performance character, so your choice comes down to whether you prioritize the Palisade’s design and cabin feel or the Telluride’s stronger value proposition.

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

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