Used 2021 Hyundai Sonata for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata cost?

Prices have softened 8.47% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,442 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a good car?

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

Drivers consistently praise its smooth driving experience, safety features, and strong fuel economy. The stylish design and excellent powertrain warranty also come up often, while some owners mention cabin noise and frustration with optional features that require an upgrade for full functionality.

That lines up with the car’s use case as a midsize sedan that tries to balance on-pavement performance with everyday passenger and cargo practicality. The main trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not available and the base engine is underwhelming.

Only 30.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is selective even if the model itself is appealing.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

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

User feedback points to a reliable, dependable ownership experience, with drivers highlighting strong fuel economy and a car they feel good about living with over time. The expert review also describes the Sonata N Line as conveying a sensation of heft and quality, which supports confidence behind the wheel.

You also get three years of free scheduled maintenance and three years of free Blue Link connected services, which helps reduce early ownership friction. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car was maintained properly and not overused in a way that could accelerate wear.

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

At 70.6% 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 careful pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible cosmetic wear. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the car’s equipment works as expected, since some owners mention frustrations with optional features.

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 and paddle shifters.
• Safety package: Hyundai’s SmartSense suite 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.
• Infotainment: The N Line gets a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: The powertrain is rated at 27 mpg in combined driving, and the review notes an observed 23.7 mpg on a demanding test route.

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 one to buy if you want the Sonata’s strongest mix of performance, technology, and value. It adds the turbocharged engine, the dual-clutch transmission, the larger digital displays, and a long list of standard convenience and safety features, making it the clear choice for buyers who want the most distinctive version of this sedan.

Safety-package note: every N Line includes Hyundai’s comprehensive SmartSense ADAS suite, plus Highway Drive Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 30.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,442 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.47% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,812, 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 $16,812 sits slightly below last year's $18,368.

That softer pricing suggests the model has become more buyer-friendly in the used market, which can make it easier for future sellers to attract attention if the car is well kept. The current trend also means you may not see the same resale strength you’d expect from a model with rising prices, so condition and equipment matter more.

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 Sonata rates high for occupant protection in a collision, and the N Line comes with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

That SmartSense suite 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.

One important caveat is that the review notes the standard Sonata’s frontal-impact ratings were not carried over to the N Line at the time of publication, so you should pay close attention to the exact trim and equipment on any used example.

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:

• 30.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.47% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• In expert testing, the N Line stands out as a bargain-priced sport sedan with real hardware upgrades.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,330, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,812 average.
• It adds an even stronger emphasis on value, quality, warranty coverage, and a sporty N Line variant.

The bottom line: If you want the better price today, the 2021 is the smarter path. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative with a similar value-focused personality, the 2022 is worth a look.

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 stronger technology and more distinctive styling, while the Camry leans on comfort and space. The Camry’s higher starting price and larger used-price average make the Sonata the more affordable choice, though the Camry offers slightly better MPG and more listings to shop.

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.