How much does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson cost?

Prices have softened 5.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,688 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare trims, mileage, and condition. If you find a listing below $17,180.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Tucson earns a 4.83/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, great handling, and strong feature content for the price. The user feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with long-term satisfaction showing up in the rating. From the expert side, it’s a refined, comfortable daily driver that fits commuting and family use well.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the base engine can feel sluggish, and the overall powertrain is not especially lively at higher speeds. The overview also frames this as a value-focused compact SUV, so you’re buying into practicality and tech more than excitement.

The Tucson’s combination of comfort, technology, and safety makes it a strong fit if you want an easy-to-live-with compact SUV. Good and great deals account for 34.8% of listings, so there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

Owners rate it 4.83/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free experience, and the model is described as a vehicle people are happy to keep over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Tucson is backed by a fantastic 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which adds peace of mind for used buyers.

That said, you should still pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition, because long-term ownership risk rises when service records are incomplete or the vehicle has been neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any Tucson you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the vehicle has higher mileage, uneven tire wear, or signs of cosmetic repair. Focus on condition, service records, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Tucson SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add features like heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless device charging, leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera system, and an 8-inch touchscreen.
• Powertrain: The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.4-liter four-cylinder makes 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission and come with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine feels underwhelming, and the 2.4-liter is the better choice if you want more responsive everyday performance.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assistance features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring are reserved for upper-tier trims.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen is available, and the larger screen is standard on the Ultimate trim. Wireless device charging is available, and the system uses logical menus with helpful hard buttons.
• Fuel efficiency: The most efficient version returns 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The AWD version of the 2.0-liter model returns 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The 2.4-liter FWD version returns 22 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the AWD version returns 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Hyundai Tucson trim should I buy?

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is offered in 6 trim levels: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The SE is the most stripped-down choice, so you miss out on conveniences like heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and the larger touchscreen found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Value trim adds a lot of everyday comfort for the money, including heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, roof rails, and upgraded audio features.
• Premium/top trim: The Ultimate is the most feature-rich choice, with an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rain-sensing wipers, and a panoramic sunroof.

Upper-tier trims are where you get adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find value.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,688 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,180.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson's resale value?

The current average of $17,818 sits slightly below last year's $18,930.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale gains may be limited if the market stays soft. If you plan to sell later, condition and trim choice will matter a lot, especially because well-equipped examples tend to hold buyer interest better than bare-bones ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.83/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson safe?

It earns a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Tucson comes standard with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. If you want adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, or blind-spot monitoring, you’ll need to move up to an upper-tier trim.

Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Tucson 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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.83/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s the final year of the generation, with plenty of tech and safety features at a competitive price.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $20,968, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $17,818 average.
• It brings a redesigned body with more passenger and cargo space.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2021 if you want the better value and a well-equipped compact SUV at a lower entry price. If you’re willing to spend more for a redesign and extra space, the 2022 is the better upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.