Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearWashington, DC

Compare 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims in Washington, DC

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to feature-rich models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $13,999
• 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: $13,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 31 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: $17,029 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 50 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 and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,066 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 79 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.

• Avg. market price: $18,393 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 203 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 a luxury SUV experience without going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $19,066 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 28 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.

• Avg. market price: $20,484 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 71 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with premium features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,066 (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 luxury SUV with all-wheel drive and advanced tech features.

• Avg. market price: $19,066 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 100 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 203 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $13,999 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,066 — 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 at 25/28 MPG.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices have softened 7.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,520 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used shoppers.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.7/10 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 feel and highway fuel efficiency. The main trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine and some disappointment over missing interior mood lighting. For you, that means this is a strong fit if you want a well-equipped five-passenger crossover that leans into comfort and value rather than outright performance. Good and great deals account for 33.3% of listings, which supports the case for shopping now.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Drivers describe it as excellent value, comfortable, and feature-rich, and those themes usually align with ownership confidence over time. The Santa Fe also gets credit for smooth driving and highway efficiency, which can make day-to-day ownership feel easy and predictable. Hyundai’s ownership-benefits package adds a free three-year scheduled maintenance plan, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been abused or neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are strong but not universal. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the engine, brakes, tires, and interior controls, and make sure the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re considering. Focus on overall condition and equipment level, since this model’s appeal depends heavily on how well it was optioned.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas lineup includes SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. The base trims are more straightforward, while higher trims add more upscale design details and a richer feature set.
• Powertrain: SE and SEL trims 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 an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission.
• Safety package: The Santa Fe includes common 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 enhanced Blue Link services, and can be paired with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged engine is described as just as fuel-efficient as the standard one, and 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, so it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Santa Fe lineup and can live with fewer upscale touches.
• SEL: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it keeps the Santa Fe’s core comfort and tech appeal while staying below the pricier luxury-leaning trims.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more premium feel without going all the way to the top trim.
• Calligraphy: This is the most upscale version, with the richest equipment, the most advanced tech, and the strongest overall feature set.

The Calligraphy trim is the one with the most complete safety package, including the more unusual driver-assistance features.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,520 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,260, 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 $19,260 sits slightly below last year's $20,766.

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. A softer market now can also mean less downside risk if you plan to keep the vehicle for several years before reselling it. Well-equipped trims and clean history examples should hold up better with shoppers who value comfort, technology, and value.

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 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 Santa Fe includes common driver-assistance tech for cruise control, collision warning and prevention, and lane keeping. Calligraphy trim adds pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning forward-collision assistance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. The main caveat is that the IIHS Top Safety Pick result depends on the LED projector headlights, so trim choice matters if safety is 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:

• 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% 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 new Calligraphy trim.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,425, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,260 average.
• It offers strong value in a five-passenger crossover with a comfortable cabin and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,112, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,260 average.
• It adds a new plug-in hybrid version and expands some safety features to lower trims.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of updates, value, and available inventory, the 2021 is the smart target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the Santa Fe’s core strengths.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe compare to the 2021 Kia Sorento?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Comfortable.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Kia Sorento:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Priced too close to the Telluride, Cramped third row, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 8.7/10 and the 2021 Kia Sorento 7.7/10. The Santa Fe comes across as the stronger value play, especially if you want comfort and technology without stretching for a pricier SUV. The Sorento adds standard advanced safety features, but its cramped third row and pricing pressure work against it. If you want the better overall balance, the Santa Fe is the easier recommendation.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

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