How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 6.67% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,494 listings available, which suggests you have meaningful inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $19,729.27, 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 feature-rich cabin, and many also like its smooth driving experience and highway fuel efficiency. The Santa Fe’s substantial update adds new styling, technology, and safety systems, which helps it feel more modern and well equipped for family use.

The trade-offs are familiar: the base engine can feel under-powered, and some owners wish it had more interior mood lighting. Even so, the Santa Fe’s five-passenger layout and bargain positioning make it especially appealing if you want a well-equipped crossover without stretching into a pricier SUV segment.

The market backs that up, with 29.7% 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.

Drivers’ feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort and value that tends to go hand in hand with confidence over time. The expert review also emphasizes the Santa Fe’s strong ownership proposition, and Hyundai’s free three-year scheduled maintenance plan adds another layer of reassurance for early ownership.

That said, used buyers should still watch for signs of hard use, skipped maintenance, or neglected electronics, because long-term ownership risk is always higher when a vehicle’s history is unclear.

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 accident-free status does not guarantee perfect maintenance or repair history. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the engine, transmission behavior, brakes, tires, and any electronic features you plan to use regularly. It also helps to confirm that the cabin, controls, and safety systems all work as expected, especially on higher-trim examples with more equipment.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. The higher trims add more upscale materials, a more refined cabin, and more advanced equipment, while the base trims are more straightforward and less richly appointed.
• 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, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission.
• Safety package: The Santa Fe includes driver-assistance tech 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.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the 8-inch touchscreen. The 10.25-inch system uses wired smartphone mirroring, adds upgraded voice recognition and Blue Link connected services, and can be paired with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
• 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 if you want the lowest-cost path into the Santa Fe lineup, but it is also the most basic version. It makes sense if you mainly want the Santa Fe’s value, comfort, and standard tech without paying for the richer 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 convenience and a better overall feel than the base model. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This is the right choice if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more upscale experience without going all the way to the top. It adds a more premium driving and ownership feel, and it should appeal to buyers who care about performance and refinement.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest cabin presentation and the most advanced equipment. It is the trim to buy if you want the Santa Fe to feel as upscale as possible and you value the strongest mix of comfort, technology, and safety features.

The safety package is especially important here: the highest IIHS crash-test recognition applies only when the Santa Fe 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 have room to shop carefully without waiting for a dramatic discount.

• Deal availability: 29.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,494 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.67% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,729.27, 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 $20,109 sits slightly below last year's $21,546.

That softer pricing can help you buy more SUV for the money today, but it also means the market has already adjusted downward from prior levels. If you plan to sell later, the Santa Fe’s value story will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim, since better-equipped versions tend to hold buyer interest more easily.

Strong owner satisfaction also helps support demand over time, especially for a model that buyers already view as a value play. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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, 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 suite includes cruise-control support, collision warning and prevention, lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction-turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced features are standard on Calligraphy, while some lower trims miss out on the full set of premium safety tech.

One caveat is that Highway Driving Assist can get a little confused about freeway on-ramps and off-ramps, so you should still stay engaged behind the wheel.

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:

• 29.7% 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 6.67% 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 $16,944, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $20,109 average.
• It offers a simpler lineup with a roomy five-passenger layout and useful safety updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,835, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,109 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands availability of key safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of value, updated tech, and strong owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the Santa Fe’s core strengths. If you want newer features and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.