Hyundai often gets swept under the rug. It’s one of those brands that may not have the most media hype around it, and for some reason, people don’t think of it as one of the “main” brands on the market. But, when you actually look at the work it’s doing, you’ll see that Hyundai is quietly producing some of the coolest, most innovative vehicles on the market. With several new SUVs that have debuted since 2020, the brand is never satisfied with stopping at “good enough” but rather keeps progressing to find new inventions. One of the areas in which Hyundai excels is the SUV sector.
With sleek design cues, advanced technology, and creative capacity solutions, Hyundai’s SUVs are perfect for families, young couples who are just starting their families, and even individuals who want a bigger ride with increased interior capacity. All of these types of SUV buyers can benefit from seeking out used SUVs for sale as they’ll be able to find models from recent years with all of the qualities I just mentioned (luxury design, great technology, and interior capacity) at prices that are much more budget-friendly than those of brand new vehicles.
Hyundai has several SUV options, all of which serve their own market and their own unique purpose. So, if you’re considering a used Hyundai SUV, there are some things to keep in mind, especially when it comes to the model itself and the model years you want to look for. Buying a used vehicle can sometimes be even more exciting than buying a new vehicle since you get to choose from a large selection of model years; when you’re buying a new vehicle, it’s the current model year, and that’s all. So, let’s take a look at some of Hyundai’s key SUV models and the specific model years to look for.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe is Hyundai’s midsize SUV. It caters to families, with a spacious cabin and plenty of cargo space. The 2019 model year marked the start of the third-generation Santa Fe and is a great place to start for used car buyers. With a redesigned look (including both the exterior and interior), updated technology features, increased interior space, and more, the 2019 Sante Fe was truly transformed from its 2018 predecessor.
Just two years later, for the 2021 model year, the Santa Fe received even more significant changes with new powertrain options and more design and technology updates. Most notably, the 2021 Sante Fe debuted the model’s first-ever hybrid powertrain. Anybody who’s driven a hybrid before (and, at this point, even those who haven’t) knows that hybrid driving is better driving. Not only do your performance specs go way up, but your gas stops and gas bills go way down. If you can find a used SUV that’s affordable, has good design and technology, and offers a hybrid powertrain, you’ve hit the jackpot.
The 2021 Sante Fe essentially took the third generation of the model, added an available hybrid powertrain (and replaced a couple of its traditional gasoline powertrain options as well), and offered some new aesthetic options and some new tech. If you’re looking for a used Santa Fe, I’d look for a 2019 or newer model; better yet, a 2021 model or something more recent.
Hyundai Tucson
Did you know that the Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling model globally? Interesting, huh? It makes sense, seeing as the Tucson is a compact SUV with sporty features and an emphasis on efficiency. The 2022 model year embraced that description in a special way, with an all-new generation increasing interior cargo volume and offering new hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Basically, it took everything everyone already loved about the Tucson and made it even better.
With a longer wheelbase, the 2022 model increased passenger space by six cubic feet and cargo space by 10.2 cubic feet. That’s a hefty increase, especially for a compact SUV like the Tucson. Not that it was necessarily too small prior to 2022, but that much extra interior space will definitely be noticed if you compare the 2022 model next to the 2021 model. Having that extra space will be a benefit if you need to load up the vehicle for a road trip, moving, or anything else that might require more cargo capacity.
The Tucson is a great little SUV if you like efficiency and space but don’t need too much space. The 2022 model is a great place to start shopping since it increases efficiency with its hybrid powertrain options, which, combined with the increased space, makes for an appealing used SUV.
Hyundai Palisade
In 2020, Hyundai launched a brand-new three-row SUV, bringing even greater refinement to its lineup. The introduction of the Palisade brought an exciting new midsize option to the market, though calling it “midsize” is a bit of an understatement for this vehicle. With the 2020 model offering seating for up to eight passengers, this nice-looking SUV challenges the boundaries of a midsize SUV.
Considered Hyundai’s new flagship SUV, the 2020 Palisade introduced an all-new chassis, making for an impressive interior cargo capacity of 86.4 cubic feet. The emphasis for the new Palisade was on practicality and utility, and it was specifically oriented towards families. While the Palisade offers new and refined design cues like quilted Nappa leather seats and woodgrain trim, the real allure is the intuitive utility baked into the vehicle’s design. With a 10.25-inch navigation display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display, the Palisade is fully loaded with tech to assist in your drive. The combination of cargo space, abundant technology, and great design makes for a practical and enjoyable ride, maximizing utility and connectivity.
If you’re considering a used Palisade, I would suggest looking at the original model year. Not only is it recent enough to find great options on the market, but you’ll also have a great piece of Hyundai history with an original Palisade.
A Busy Brand
The past five years or so have been significant ones for Hyundai’s SUV lineup. With new models being introduced and existing models being refreshed and redesigned, Hyundai has clearly been prioritizing SUV advancement, seeking new ways to increase utility, efficiency, and style for drivers. Because of this, a used Hyundai SUV makes a lot of sense right now. You really don’t have to look at the newest model year to reap the benefits of some of Hyundai’s most recent advancements, as the past several years have seen significant advancements overall. It’s funny to consider how advanced the used vehicle market is now.
Ten years ago, there was a greater discrepancy between new vehicles and used vehicles as technology wasn’t quite what it is now, so purchasing used took you back to vehicles that felt a bit more dated. When you consider the features available in models 2020 to 2024, it’s amazing to consider that these are the used vehicles we’re looking at now. Nobody would look at a 2022 model and think it’s out of date, so it makes a lot of economic sense to consider shopping used. Truthfully, it’s pretty impressive that Hyundai has shaken up the game so much in all three major SUV segments—compact, midsize, and three-row. Hyundai’s been busy, so it may be worth checking out the fruits of its labor.
