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: 29 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.

• Avg. market price: $20,494 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 39 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with a good mix of features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $18,881 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 72 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 added features and all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $18,992 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 192 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 stepping up to the highest price point.

• Avg. market price: $21,280 (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 sporty performance combined with luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $22,506 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 66 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is the pick for shoppers who want standard luxury features in a well-equipped SUV.

• Avg. market price: $20,494 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 31 listings
• View Calligraphy FWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a trail-ready luxury SUV with all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $20,494 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 94 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 192 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $16,422 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,494 — 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.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.42% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,537 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $19,728.96, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a 5/5 user rating, and our experts give it an 8.67/10 rating.

The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its excellent value, comfort, and array of features, and many also like its smooth driving experience and highway fuel efficiency. In use, that lines up well with its role as a five-passenger crossover SUV that aims to feel stylish, well equipped, and family friendly.

The main trade-off is the underwhelming base engine, and some owners also note that it can feel under-powered at times. Even so, the Santa Fe’s strong bargain positioning and broad appeal make it easy to recommend if you want a practical crossover with a lot of equipment for the money.

Good and great deals account for 33.4% of listings, so 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 reliable, trouble-free, and a vehicle they can count on, with especially strong praise for its comfort and value over time. The expert evaluation also points to Hyundai’s ownership-benefits package, including the free three-year scheduled maintenance plan that comes with every new Hyundai, which supports lower early ownership costs.

That combination suggests solid day-to-day dependability for used buyers, though you should still prioritize a careful inspection and service-history review to reduce long-term ownership risk.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on body condition, interior wear, and how well the electronics and driver-assistance features work. It also makes sense to pay close attention to engine response and transmission behavior on a test drive, especially if you plan to buy a lower-trim model.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Base trims are more basic, while higher trims add more upscale materials, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a more premium overall feel.
• 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, and some features are standard only on higher trims.
• Infotainment: The basic setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen adds wired smartphone mirroring, upgraded voice recognition, and enhanced Blue Link connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: With AWD, both powertrains are rated at 24 mpg in combined driving.

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 Santa Fe’s core value and standard equipment without stretching your budget. It gives you the basics of the redesigned SUV, but it is the trim most likely to leave you wanting more comfort and tech.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it builds on the base model with a more appealing mix of equipment and everyday usability. If you want the sweet spot between price and features, start here.
• Limited: This is the right choice if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more upscale feel without going all the way to the top trim. It adds a more premium experience and is a good fit if you care about performance and comfort together.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest feature set, the most advanced tech, and the strongest overall presentation. It is the trim to buy if you want the Santa Fe to feel as close to a near-luxury SUV as possible.

The safety package is especially strong on Calligraphy, where features like the more advanced forward-collision warning system, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist are highlighted.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,537 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.42% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,728.96, 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 $19,869 sits slightly below last year's $21,461.

That softer pricing suggests the Santa Fe has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a future seller, that matters because a lower entry cost can reduce the amount of value you stand to lose over time.

Strong demand for well-equipped, highly rated family crossovers can also help support resale, especially when the vehicle has a good service history and desirable features. 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?

It earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only when equipped with the LED projector headlights found on Limited and Calligraphy trims.

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

The Santa Fe’s safety tech is unusually rich, with forward-collision warning and prevention that includes pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance. It also offers Safe Exit Assist, rear-occupant alert systems, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist with adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go capability, lane-centering, and lane-following.

One caveat is that Highway Driving Assist can get a little confused about freeway off-ramps and on-ramps, so you should still stay engaged behind the wheel. If safety is a top priority, the higher trims are the ones to target because the strongest crash-test result depends on the better headlights.

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:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.42% 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 luxury-themed Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,895, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,869 average.
• It offers a simpler lineup with a standard rear-seat reminder and an available camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,738, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,869 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands some safety features to the SE trim later in the year.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, features, and safety, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering many of the Santa Fe’s core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.