How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.12% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,467 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and condition.

If you find a listing below $19,731.05, 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 an 8.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise its excellent value, comfort, and array of features. They also like its smooth driving experience and fuel efficiency on the highway. The main trade-off is that some owners say the engine can feel under-powered at times, which lines up with the overview’s focus on a strong family crossover that still has a base-engine compromise.

The Santa Fe fits you well if you want a five-passenger crossover SUV with a strong feature set and a bargain-minded price. Good and great deals account for 35.1% of listings, so there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

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

Drivers’ feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for value, comfort, and features that hold up well over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Santa Fe’s strong value proposition and its ownership-benefits package, including the complimentary three-year scheduled maintenance plan that comes with every new Hyundai.

That said, used buyers should still pay close attention to service records and overall condition, especially on higher-mileage examples where wear can reveal how well the SUV has been maintained.

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 run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the engine, transmission behavior, brakes, tires, and electronics. Focus on condition details that matter most in a family SUV: interior wear, feature operation, and evidence of consistent maintenance.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Base versions miss some of the more unusual safety and convenience features, while Calligraphy gets the most upscale presentation and equipment.
• 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 311 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The turbo setup is quicker and more refined, while the base engine is the weaker choice.
• Safety package: Hyundai’s driver-assistance suite includes cruise-control, collision-warning and prevention, and lane-centering and lane-following tech. Calligraphy adds pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. Some of the more advanced features are trim-dependent.
• Infotainment: The basic system 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, enhanced Blue Link services, and available Harman Kardon audio. Blue Link also supports remote functions and connected features.
• Fuel efficiency: With AWD, both powertrains are rated at 24 mpg in combined driving. The naturally aspirated engine is slightly more efficient in city driving, while the turbo is thriftier on the highway. The test loop returned 22.4 mpg.

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:

• Base trim: SE is the most affordable path, but it lacks the richer equipment and advanced safety content that make the higher trims more appealing.
• Sweet-spot trim: SEL is the best value if you want a stronger feature mix without jumping all the way to the luxury-leaning upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Calligraphy is the most compelling choice if you want the best materials, the most technology, and the most complete safety feature set.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use, so you can focus on comfort, tech, and value instead.

Calligraphy is also the trim where the most unusual safety features are standard, including pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,467 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.12% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,731.05, 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 $20,094 sits slightly below last year's $21,633.

That price movement suggests the Santa Fe has become more approachable for used buyers, which can help keep demand healthy in the near term. For a future seller, that means you may need to compete on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than relying on price appreciation. Well-kept examples with desirable trims and strong feature content should hold up better than bare-bones versions.

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 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.

Hyundai’s safety suite includes cruise-control, collision-warning and prevention, lane-centering and lane-following tech, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. Some of the more advanced features are reserved for higher trims, so you should confirm the exact equipment on any used listing.

The main caveat is that the IIHS Top Safety Pick result depends on the better headlights, so trim choice matters if safety is a top 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:

• 35.1% 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 7.12% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a substantial update with new styling, technology, safety systems, and a luxury-themed Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,004, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $20,094 average.
• It offers a simpler lineup with a broad appeal between compact and midsize SUV sizing.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,951, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,094 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands availability of key safety features later in the year.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, updated tech, and strong safety content, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer feature set and are willing to pay more.

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