Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale near California

Compare 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $16,846
• Best MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Most Popular: SEL 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 budget-friendly SUV without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $16,846 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 498 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is ideal for those seeking all-wheel drive capabilities without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $16,916 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 502 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is perfect for buyers wanting a well-rounded SUV with a good mix of features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $17,367 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,939 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is for those who want a popular trim with added all-wheel drive for enhanced versatility.

• Avg. market price: $18,745 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,565 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL AWD listings

Limited FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited FWD caters to shoppers looking for premium features and a comfortable ride without going all out on price.

• Avg. market price: $20,607 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 485 listings
• View Limited FWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is suited for those wanting a sporty performance combined with luxury features for a refined driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $21,984 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 766 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is for buyers seeking high-end features and luxury comfort in a stylish SUV.

• Avg. market price: $22,279 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 480 listings
• View Calligraphy FWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is ideal for those wanting a trail-ready luxury SUV with advanced features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,763 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 915 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 2,565 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $16,846 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,254 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE FWD

The SE FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 25/28 MPG.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.18% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,515 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10. Owners consistently praise its excellent value, comfort, and array of features, along with a smooth driving experience and strong highway fuel efficiency. The main trade-offs are the underpowered base engine and the lack of interior mood lighting that some owners wanted. For you, that means this five-passenger midsize SUV makes the most sense if you want a well-equipped, comfortable crossover with strong everyday value rather than a performance-first choice. Good and great deals account for 36.0% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Drivers describe it as excellent value, comfortable, and feature-rich, and they also point to a smooth driving experience and strong highway efficiency. The expert review also emphasizes Hyundai’s ownership-benefits package, including the warranty, roadside assistance, three-day worry-free exchange program, complimentary three-year Blue Link subscription, and free three-year scheduled maintenance plan. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been neglected despite the model’s strong reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper vehicle-by-vehicle review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Base trims get standard front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive costs extra on gas models. The higher trims bring a more upscale look and feel, and Calligraphy stands out with the most premium presentation.
• Powertrain: SE and SEL use a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic. Limited and Calligraphy use a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 281 hp and an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The turbo setup is the stronger choice if you want more urgency and refinement.
• Safety package: The Santa Fe includes common driver-assistance tech for cruise control, collision warning and prevention, and lane keeping. Calligraphy adds more unusual standard features, including pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. The more affordable trims do not get all of those features.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the basic 8-inch touchscreen. The larger 10.25-inch screen uses wired smartphone mirroring but adds upgraded voice recognition and enhanced Blue Link connected services. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon system is also available with the larger screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged engine is described as just as fuel-efficient as the standard one in combined driving, and the standard engine is slightly more efficient in city driving while the turbo is thriftier on the highway.

Which 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe trim should I buy?

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 lowest-cost way into the Santa Fe lineup, but it’s also the trim most likely to leave you wanting more equipment and refinement.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it builds on the basics without pushing you into the highest price range.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more upscale overall experience.
• Calligraphy: This is the top choice if you want the most premium Santa Fe, with the richest feature set, the strongest tech, and the most advanced safety equipment.

Calligraphy is the trim where the most unusual safety features are standard, while the lower trims miss some of those extras.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?

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

• Deal availability: 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,515 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.18% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,268, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe's resale value?

The current average of $19,274 sits slightly below last year's $20,764.

That decline suggests the Santa Fe has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help demand stay healthy in the near term. For a future seller, the current pricing trend means you may not see the same resale strength you would have a year ago, but the model’s value reputation still helps support interest. Strong equipment, comfort, and broad appeal should continue to make it attractive to shoppers who want a well-rounded midsize SUV.

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

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?

The 2021 Santa Fe earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, but only with the LED projector headlights found on Limited and Calligraphy trims.

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

The Santa Fe includes common driver-assistance features for cruise control, collision warning and prevention, and lane keeping. Calligraphy adds pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. One important caveat is that the IIHS Top Safety Pick result depends on the better headlights, so trim choice matters if safety is a priority.

Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 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:

• 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.18% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a substantial update with new styling, controls, displays, engines, technology, and safety systems.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,361, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,274 average.
• It offers strong value in a practical five-passenger crossover.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,070, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,274 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands safety availability on lower trims.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of value, comfort, and updated features, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the cheaper route into the same basic formula.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe compare to the 2021 Kia Sorento?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Comfortable.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Kia Sorento:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Priced too close to the Telluride, Cramped third row, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 8.7/10 and the 2021 Kia Sorento 7.7/10. The Santa Fe comes out ahead overall, especially if you value comfort and a strong value proposition. The Sorento counters with standard advanced safety features, but its cramped third row and pricing concerns make it less compelling here. Both share stylish design and impressive technology, and both are held back by an underwhelming base engine.

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.