Used 2021 Hyundai Sonata for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata cost?

Prices have softened 8.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,462 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Sonata earns a 4.8/5 user rating and an 8.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise its smooth driving experience, safety features, strong fuel economy, stylish design, and excellent powertrain warranty. In expert testing, it also stands out for its multiple powertrain options and impressive technology, which fit the Sonata’s role as a midsize sedan that balances on-pavement performance with everyday passenger and cargo practicality. The main trade-offs are all-wheel drive not being available and the base engine being underwhelming.

With 33.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with drivers highlighting the car’s strong fuel economy and excellent powertrain warranty. The expert review also emphasizes the Sonata’s value and the three years of free scheduled maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car has been cared for properly, especially if it has higher mileage or visible wear.

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

At 69.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in any collision. Focus on bodywork quality, panel alignment, tire wear, and whether the car’s technology and driver-assistance features operate as expected. Because this model year has a meaningful accident history share, condition matters more than usual when you compare listings.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The N Line treatment adds a more aggressive exterior, sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, dark chrome accents, and a panoramic sunroof.
• Powertrain: The N Line uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission.
• Safety package: Hyundai SmartSense includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist.
• Infotainment: The N Line has a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The powertrain is rated at 27 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2021 Hyundai Sonata trim should I buy?

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is offered in 1 trim level: N Line.

Here's the short version:

The N Line is the clear choice here because it bundles the strongest performance, the most distinctive styling, and the richest feature set in the data. It adds the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, the dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned hardware, a larger digital display setup, and a comprehensive safety suite, so it suits you best if you want the most engaging and best-equipped version. The three years of free scheduled maintenance and free Blue Link connected services also make it especially compelling on value.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Hyundai Sonata?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,462 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,739, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata's resale value?

The current average of $16,739 sits slightly below last year's $18,369.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right number today. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you may have less downside left than a buyer who pays closer to the prior-year average. Strong feature content and broad appeal can also help support demand when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata safe?

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai SmartSense is the standard driver-assistance suite, and it includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The expert review also notes that this is an exceptionally sophisticated package that works smoothly and accurately in traffic.

Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Sonata 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:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Sonata N Line adds a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, a dual-clutch transmission, and a comprehensive SmartSense safety suite.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,182, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,739 average.
• It adds a stronger emphasis on quality, value, and a sporty N Line variant.

The bottom line: If you want the better bargain, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a rich feature set. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata compare to the 2021 Toyota Camry?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Hyundai Sonata:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Toyota Camry:

• Pros: Comfortable, Spacious, TRD trim adds extra performance and style.
• Cons: Outdated technology, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Hyundai Sonata 8.5/10 and the 2021 Toyota Camry 7.8/10. The Sonata brings the stronger value story, lower average used price, and more impressive technology. The Camry counters with a slightly stronger base engine and more listings, but its tech and value proposition are less compelling here.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.