Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims in Columbia, SC

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more luxurious models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $19,489
• Best MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Most Popular: SEL FWD

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: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 50 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 28 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 blend of features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 143 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 all-weather capability.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 123 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 going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 49 listings
• View Limited FWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury and all-wheel drive for added confidence.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 53 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is the pick for shoppers who want the top-tier features in a front-wheel drive SUV.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 60 listings
• View Calligraphy FWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and all-wheel drive for versatility.

• Avg. market price: $19,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 79 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL FWD

With 143 active listings, the SEL FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL FWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $19,489 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,489 — 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 October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.33% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,502 listings available, which suggests 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 array of features, and many also like its smooth driving experience and fuel efficiency on the highway. The main trade-offs are the under-powered engine some drivers mention and the missing interior mood lights some owners wanted.

For you, that means the Santa Fe makes the most sense if you want a well-equipped five-passenger crossover that leans into comfort, technology, and value rather than outright performance. The market also looks favorable, with 38.1% of listings marked as good or great deals.

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 vehicle that feels dependable, comfortable, and easy to live with over time, with many drivers describing it as a strong value and a smooth daily companion. The expert evaluation also emphasizes its refined driving character and solid overall execution, which supports the impression that it’s built to be a trouble-free long-term choice.

Hyundai’s free three-year scheduled maintenance plan adds another ownership perk that can help reduce early maintenance costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the previous owner kept up with maintenance and didn’t overlook any signs of hard use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the engine, brakes, electronics, and any signs of uneven wear or poor repair work. Focus on condition and maintenance records, since the Santa Fe’s value proposition depends heavily on how well it has been cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. The base trims are more basic, while the higher trims add the richer materials, more upscale presentation, and the features that make this SUV feel especially well equipped.
• 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: The Santa Fe includes cruise-control, collision-warning, and lane-keeping technology, plus Highway Driving Assist. Calligraphy adds pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and an ultrasonic rear-occupant alert.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the 8-inch touchscreen. The 10.25-inch touchscreen uses wired smartphone mirroring, but adds 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 entry point, and it gives you the core Santa Fe experience at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the value story first and can live without the richer features and more upscale presentation found higher up.
• SEL: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more everyday comfort and convenience without pushing you all the way to the top of the range. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more premium feel without going all the way to the flagship model. It’s the better pick if you care about performance and a more upscale driving experience.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious and feature-rich version, with the most distinctive styling and the most advanced equipment. It suits you best if you want the Santa Fe to feel as close to a near-luxury SUV as possible.

The safety package is especially notable on Calligraphy, where the more unusual driver-assistance features are standard.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,502 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.33% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,514, 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 $19,559 sits slightly below last year's $21,107.

That price movement suggests the Santa Fe has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later. The model’s broad appeal and strong value reputation should help support demand, especially for well-equipped examples.

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 the 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 Santa Fe’s safety suite includes cruise-control, collision-warning and prevention, lane-keeping support, Highway Driving Assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and an ultrasonic rear-occupant alert on higher trims. The main caveat is that the IIHS Top Safety Pick result depends on the LED projector headlights, so trim choice matters if safety ratings are 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:

• 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.33% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a substantial update with new styling, engines, technology, safety systems, and a new Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,645, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,559 average.
• It offers a practical five-passenger layout with strong value and useful safety updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,404, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,559 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands safety availability on lower trims.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, updated features, and strong owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the smart target. If price is your top priority, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer additions and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.