For a 2026 used-car shopper, “5-year-old” means a 2021 model year. In Car and Driver’s 2021 midsize SUV ranking, the lowest displayed starting price among the vehicles covered here is $6,975 for a Jeep Grand Cherokee, followed by the Kia Telluride at $8,500. Those are page-displayed starting prices checked October 8, 2026—not matched-condition sale prices or national fair-market values. Use the order as a shortlist, then compare local examples with similar trim, mileage, condition, title history, drivetrain and fees.
2021 midsize SUVs ranked by displayed starting price
The figures below were displayed on Car and Driver’s 2021 midsize SUV ranking when checked October 8, 2026. They are live “starting at” price signals, not a survey of completed transactions or appraisals for equivalent vehicles. Listings and displayed prices can change; confirm the current local price and the individual vehicle’s details before deciding what to pay.
| Rank | 2021 SUV | Displayed starting price | Seating format | Safety award context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | $6,975 | Two-row configuration | No award distinction established here |
| 2 | Kia Telluride | $8,500 | Three-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2021–22, with specified headlights |
| 3 | Kia Sorento | $9,599 | Three-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2021–22, with specified headlights |
| 4 | Hyundai Palisade | $9,750 | Three-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2021–22 |
| 5 | Hyundai Santa Fe | $12,237 | Two-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2021, with specified headlights |
| 6 | Mazda CX-9 | $13,168 | Three-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2021–22 |
| 7 | Honda Passport | $13,399 | Two-row | No award distinction established here |
| 8 | Toyota Highlander | $15,600 | Three-row | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2021–22 |
Starting prices and seating descriptions are from Car and Driver’s ranking; award details are from the IIHS 2021 midsize SUV award list. IIHS awards can depend on model year, headlights or equipment. Check the detailed record and the configuration of the specific SUV rather than assuming every trim earned the listed recognition.
Which 2021 midsize SUV is cheapest?
Jeep Grand Cherokee: lowest displayed starting price
At $6,975, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the least expensive starting point in this cited set. It is a two-row choice, so its lower displayed price may not meet a buyer’s need for a third row. At this price level especially, compare the actual vehicle’s mileage, condition, title history, trim and drivetrain; the starting figure alone says nothing about the example’s history or remaining needs.
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Kia Telluride and Kia Sorento: lower-priced three-row options
The Telluride’s $8,500 displayed start and Sorento’s $9,599 start put both below the Palisade in this ranking. Car and Driver ranks the Telluride first among its 2021 midsize candidates, but that editorial ranking is not a used-vehicle price survey. The Sorento had a model-year redesign, so equipment and configuration can vary; verify the exact trim and features instead of comparing by name alone. Both models are listed by IIHS as Top Safety Picks for 2021–22 with specified headlights.
Hyundai Palisade: three rows with Top Safety Pick+ recognition
The Palisade’s displayed start is $9,750. IIHS lists the 2021–22 Palisade as a Top Safety Pick+. This is a useful model-level distinction, not a guarantee about every vehicle or equipment combination. Confirm the award’s conditions against the vehicle you are considering.
Rank #2
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How to choose beyond the asking price
The cheapest listing is not automatically the best value. Car and Driver says its vehicle rankings draw on roughly 200 data points, including acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value and driving enjoyment. Those dimensions can help frame a shortlist, but an editorial vehicle ranking does not establish the condition or fair price of an individual used SUV.
- Decide whether you need two or three rows. The Grand Cherokee, Santa Fe and Passport are two-row choices in this comparison. The Telluride, Sorento, Palisade, CX-9 and Highlander offer three rows.
- Match the listing before comparing prices. Line up trim, mileage, drivetrain, condition, title status and region. A price comparison that mixes a high-mileage base model with a low-mileage, better-equipped example is not meaningful.
- Compare practical fit. Consider passenger and cargo needs, fuel efficiency, comfort and driving priorities alongside price. Do not assume an advertised starting amount includes the same equipment or costs as another listing.
- Check the exact safety configuration. The model-level award is only relevant if the model year, headlights and equipment meet the award criteria.
How much should I pay for a 2021 midsize SUV?
There is no single defensible national price for a 2021 midsize SUV without matching the vehicle and market. Edmunds explains that its Suggested Price estimates average transaction prices using dealer data and regional conditions; its methodology page says the estimate is meant to help shoppers understand what others are paying locally. Use a localized estimate alongside current listings for closely comparable vehicles, not as a substitute for checking their history and condition.
Rank #3
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Edmunds notes that its pricing methodology includes certain transaction-level charges but excludes sales tax, license and registration, and dealer title and documentation fees. A displayed starting price or suggested price is therefore not the same as an out-the-door budget. Ask the seller for a written total that itemizes fees and taxes applicable in your location. See Edmunds’ pricing methodology for how its Suggested Price is calculated.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safety checks before buying a used SUV
For a separate safety-screened shortlist, the IIHS and Consumer Reports Safe Vehicles for Teens guide, updated May 27, 2026, includes the Mazda CX-9 (2020–23, built after December 2019), Nissan Murano (2021–25) and Ford Explorer (2020–24) in its midsize SUV section. Its Best Choices criteria combine IIHS crash-prevention and headlight performance with Consumer Reports thresholds for braking, handling, and control/display usability. The guide’s price figures are not a 2021-only ranking: it reports Black Book median retail prices for all trims of the earliest applicable model year in each eligibility span, obtained in April 2026 and rounded to the nearest $100. For example, it reports $16,200 for the Mazda CX-9 (2020–23, built after December 2019), $18,000 for the Nissan Murano (2021–25), and $18,400 for the Ford Explorer (2020–24). These are dated cohort-level reference prices, not direct comparables for every 2021 listing.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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- Check for open recalls. Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate to look up recalls before purchase. The IIHS/Consumer Reports guide says NHTSA advises checking again about every six months because new recalls may be issued.
- Review the vehicle’s history. Check title status and available history records, and ask questions about gaps or inconsistencies.
- Arrange an independent inspection when appropriate. A model’s safety award does not establish an individual vehicle’s maintenance, condition or repair history. Have a qualified independent mechanic inspect it if you need a clearer picture before buying.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
