Hyundais have gotten a lot better in the last five years. The Tucson and Santa Fe hold value better than most people expect. The sedan side is tougher. If you have a Tucson or Santa Fe, call me before you assume the number is low.
Serving the San Fernando Valley & Ventura County


Quick answer: Selling your Hyundai?
Private sale range
$19,000 - $37,000
Typical dealer offer
$17,000 - $33,000
Avg. days to sell privately
14 - 28 days (private)
Annual depreciation
15-25% year one, faster than Japanese brands
These numbers move every month. The offer I give you is based on today's actual market data, not a website estimate from last quarter.
Hyundai has changed a lot in the last decade. The Tucson and Santa Fe are genuinely competitive with Honda and Toyota SUVs now. The problem is the used market still has a perception gap. Buyers see the Hyundai badge and expect a discount, even when the vehicle is just as good as the competition.
The other thing I watch closely is the engine recall situation. The Theta II engine issue on 2019-2021 models is real, and it affects how dealers bid at auction. If your Hyundai has a clean recall history and the engine is solid, you are in better shape than you think. If the recall applies, I factor it in honestly and tell you exactly how it impacts the number.
Strongest retention in the Hyundai lineup. The 2022+ redesign holds especially well. Average list price $25,325 for 2025 models.
Common issues I see
Solid SUV demand. 2026 models range $33,661 to $37,036. The Santa Fe Hybrid commands a small premium over the standard model.
Common issues I see
Budget sedan. Depreciates faster than the SUV lineup. 2025 models range $18,985 to $20,707. The N-Line and N trims hold value better.
Common issues I see
Mid-size sedan with weaker retention than the SUVs. Buyers at auction prefer Camry and Accord over Sonata, which keeps prices softer.
Common issues I see
Impact: The Theta II engine recall is the biggest single factor affecting Hyundai resale values. Affected vehicles can see $1,500 to $3,000 lower offers at auction.
I check the recall status on every Hyundai I inspect. If the recall has been completed, you are in much better shape. If it has not, the offer will reflect the risk. Either way, I am transparent about how it affects the number.
Impact: Hyundai loses 15-25% in year one vs. 10-20% for Toyota or Honda. The gap is real and it affects every model.
This is not a quality problem anymore. It is a perception problem. The used market still discounts the Hyundai badge even though the cars have gotten significantly better. I price off actual auction demand, not brand bias.
Impact: Elantra and Sonata are losing value faster than Tucson and Santa Fe. The industry shift toward SUVs is pulling sedan resale down across every brand.
If you have a Hyundai sedan, the number may be lower than you expect. That is the market, not your car. I will give you an honest number and explain exactly why it lands where it does.
Impact: Tucson and Santa Fe retain 5-10% more value than their sedan counterparts at every age and mileage.
If you have a Tucson or Santa Fe, do not assume the number is low just because it is a Hyundai. The SUV market is strong, and these models compete well against Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 at auction.
| Method | Price Range | Timeline | Hassle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Sale | $19,000 - $37,000 | 14 - 28 days | High. Hyundai buyers negotiate aggressively and compare to Honda/Toyota pricing. |
| CarMax | $17,000 - $33,000 | Same day | Low. Drive in, wait, get an offer. |
| Carvana | $16,500 - $32,000 | 3 - 7 days | Low, but the price may drop when they inspect at pickup. |
| Trade-in | $15,500 - $30,000 | Same day | None, but trade-in is typically the lowest number for Hyundais. |
| CurbSold | $17,000 - $33,000 | 20 min at your door | None. I come to you. Guaranteed to match or beat CarMax. |
Tell me about your Hyundai. I'll let you know where the offer should land, and we'll set up a time.
I pull into your driveway, scan the VIN on your Hyundai, run it through a professional valuation tool right there, and show you a firm, guaranteed offer on the screen. No meetup spots, no dealership visit.
If the number works, I write you a check before I leave. I handle all the paperwork. If it doesn't work, no pressure.
Hyundai sellers consistently underestimate their car's value, especially on the SUV side. The Tucson and Santa Fe compete directly with CR-V and RAV4 at auction, and the prices reflect that. If you have been holding off on selling because you assume the offer will be disappointing, you might be wrong.
Call me and find out. I will come to your door, inspect the car, and give you a firm number in 20 minutes. No online estimates that change later, no driving to a dealership and waiting two hours. Just a real offer from someone who buys Hyundais every week and knows exactly what the market will pay.
One phone call or text. One less thing on your list.

I'm Joe. Licensed dealer, 30+ years in the business. 50,000+ cars. I've seen just about everything. I guarantee to match or beat any CarMax offer.
I'm not a call center. I'm not a chatbot. I show up, show you the number, and write you a check if you want to move forward. If you don't, I'll tell you what I'd recommend instead. I've talked plenty of people out of selling to me when private sale made more sense for them. That's why I started CurbSold.
Want to try selling it yourself first?
Facebook · Craigslist · Cars.com · AutoTrader
Drop your VIN and a few photos. In 30 seconds my AI tool will make you professional ready-to-post ads for the largest marketplaces.
The same info is what I need to send you a range of what a CarMax offer would look like. You walk away with everything you need either way.
Free. No account needed. No strings attached.
What you get
No pressure. Sit on it or sell privately. Your call.
Joe buys Hyundai vehicles across the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County. Firm offer, same-day payment, all paperwork handled.
Call or Text (747) 364-5606Offers are based on today's market and are good for 7 days.
Joe
Match or Beat Any CarMax Offer. Guaranteed.
(747) 364-5606
Official Dealer · Listings are yours, no strings attached