Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims in Chicago, IL

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 $16,422
• 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: $16,422 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 32 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag, making it a practical choice for families.

• Avg. market price: $20,509 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 46 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with a balance of features and price, ideal for daily driving.

• Avg. market price: $17,890 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 75 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a popular trim with advanced features and all-wheel drive for added confidence on the road.

• Avg. market price: $19,263 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 202 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL AWD listings

Limited FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the complexity of all-wheel drive, perfect for city driving.

• Avg. market price: $20,987 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View Limited FWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with luxury features and all-wheel drive for enhanced performance.

• Avg. market price: $22,539 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 79 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features in a stylish package, ideal for those who appreciate luxury.

• Avg. market price: $20,509 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View Calligraphy FWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with all-wheel drive, perfect for those who seek adventure.

• Avg. market price: $20,509 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 96 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 202 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a great mix of features and performance.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $16,422 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,509 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE FWD

The SE FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 25/28 MPG, making it ideal for daily commutes.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.60% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,555 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount 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 8.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its excellent value, comfort, and feature-rich cabin, and many also like its smooth driving experience and highway fuel efficiency. The main trade-off is that some drivers say the engine can feel under-powered at times, and the overview also points to a base engine that may leave you wanting more acceleration.

If you want a five-passenger crossover SUV with strong value, stylish design, and a comfortable cabin, this model year fits that brief well. The market also shows 33.6% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still attractive opportunities to shop.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on comfort, value, and features that make the SUV easy to live with over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes Hyundai’s ownership-benefits package, including the free three-year scheduled maintenance plan that comes with every new Hyundai.

That combination suggests you should focus on service history and overall condition when shopping used, because long-term ownership risk is more about how the vehicle was maintained than about any broad reliability red flag.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or a vehicle with incomplete maintenance records. Pay close attention to cabin condition, electronics, and how the drivetrain feels on a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. The base trims focus on value, while higher trims add more upscale materials, more advanced displays, and more premium equipment.
• Powertrain: SE and SEL use a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic. Limited and Calligraphy get a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission.
• Safety package: Highway Driving Assist combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability plus lane-centering and lane-following tech. Blind-Spot View Monitor and Safe Exit Assist are also part of the safety story, while some of the more unusual features are standard on Calligraphy trim.
• Infotainment: The Santa Fe offers an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, or a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired smartphone mirroring, upgraded voice recognition, and enhanced Blue Link connected services. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon system is available with the larger screen.
• Fuel efficiency: With AWD, both powertrains are rated at 24 mpg in combined driving. 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 value-focused entry point, and it gives you the core Santa Fe experience with the standard 191-horsepower engine. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the model and do not need the extra upscale features found higher up.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it keeps the Santa Fe affordable while adding more everyday comfort and convenience than the SE. If you want a balanced mix of price and equipment, this is the trim to start with.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more premium feel without going all the way to the top. It adds a more compelling powertrain and a richer feature set.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious choice, with the most upscale materials, the most advanced tech, and the most unusual safety features. It is the trim to buy if you want the Santa Fe to feel as premium as possible.

Some of the more unusual safety features are standard on Calligraphy trim, while the IIHS Top Safety Pick result applies only when the SUV has the LED projector headlights found on Limited and Calligraphy trims.

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 strong listings.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,555 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.60% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,732, 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 $19,746 sits slightly below last year's $21,370.

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. The current range still shows meaningful demand, especially for well-equipped examples and cleaner-history vehicles. If you buy smart now and keep the SUV in strong condition, you should have a reasonable path to resale later.

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 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS when equipped with the LED projector headlights found on Limited and Calligraphy trims.

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

The safety package includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, rear-occupant alert, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist with adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go capability, lane-centering, and lane-following. Some of the more advanced features are standard only on Calligraphy trim, and the IIHS result depends on the headlight setup.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.60% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a substantial update with new styling, technology, safety systems, and a Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,833, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,746 average.
• It offers a roomy five-passenger layout with strong value and easy-to-use tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,701, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,746 average.
• It adds a plug-in hybrid and a new XRT trim with outdoor-themed styling.

The bottom line: if you want the best mix of value, features, and updated design, the 2021 is the sweet spot to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the core Santa Fe strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.