Used 2021 Kia Sportage for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Kia Sportage cost?

Prices have softened 8.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,862 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Sportage earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its power, smooth ride, and feature content, and many also call out the AWD capability as a strong point. That lines up well with its city-friendly size and easy-to-use technology, which make it a practical fit if you want a compact crossover that feels approachable in daily driving.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is described as fairly pedestrian, and the cabin tech is dated by current standards. Even so, the Sportage still makes sense if you value comfort, style, and warranty coverage more than the latest cabin design or the most engaging driving dynamics.

The market also shows 30.8% good or great deals, which gives you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a reliable, comfortable, and dependable vehicle that many drivers feel good about using every day. The review summary also emphasizes smooth ride quality and a sense that the Sportage is trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time.

The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the Sportage as competent and rewarding to drive, especially with the turbocharged four-cylinder. Kia’s cost-effectiveness notes also highlight strong value, which can help reduce ownership stress if you buy a well-kept example.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is not a known reliability red flag so much as finding a neglected or heavily used example, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Kia Sportage?

At 69.4% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment level matches the trim being advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, EX, and SX Turbo each bring different equipment levels, and the base trim already includes a strong safety package. The SX Turbo stands out for adding more premium features, while the lower trims are the ones most likely to feel sparse by comparison.
• Powertrain: The LX and EX use a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, while the SX Turbo uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder with 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All versions use a six-speed automatic transmission.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control is included on the SX Turbo.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses an 8-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports are standard. Most trims also get UVO Link connected services, while the SX Turbo adds wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models with the 2.4-liter engine return 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. AWD versions with that engine are rated at 21/25/23, while the turbo FWD and AWD versions are rated at 20/28/23 and 19/24/21.

Which 2021 Kia Sportage trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Sportage is offered in 3 trim levels: LX, EX, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it still gets the core safety and infotainment equipment that makes the Sportage easy to live with. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model without giving up the essentials.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it keeps the same core powertrain while adding more comfort and convenience without jumping to the pricier turbo model.
• SX Turbo: This is the choice if you want the strongest performance and the most premium feature set, including the upgraded audio system and wireless charging.

The SX Turbo also gets adaptive cruise control, and its upgraded headlights help it earn Top Safety Pick status from IIHS.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Kia Sportage?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,862 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,946, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Sportage's resale value?

The current average of $15,946 sits slightly below last year's $17,390.

That softer pricing suggests the Sportage has already moved through a meaningful portion of its depreciation curve, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you purchase a clean, well-equipped example, you may have a better chance of limiting further value loss than if you overpay for a higher-mileage or accident-damaged vehicle.

The model’s broad appeal, strong safety reputation, and solid owner satisfaction should help keep demand steady among used shoppers. 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 Kia Sportage safe?

The 2021 Kia Sportage earns Top Safety Pick status from IIHS.

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

Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control is added on the SX Turbo, so safety equipment is especially strong on the upper trim.

The main caveat is that the Top Safety Pick recognition is tied to the SX Turbo’s upgraded headlights, so trim choice matters if safety is a top priority.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Sportage 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:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Sportage is competent enough to stand up against competitors, especially with its turbocharged four-cylinder.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,393, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $15,946 average.
• It adds a redesigned lineup with a new Nightfall Edition and more equipment on select trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter buy because pricing is softer and inventory is broad enough to shop selectively. If you can stretch for a newer model and want the updated trim lineup and added features, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

How does the 2021 Kia Sportage compare to the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia Sportage:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great warranty, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Outdated technology, Not much cargo space.

2021 Hyundai Tucson:

• Pros: Stylish design, Comfortable, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Sluggish performance, Underwhelming base engine, Noisy.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia Sportage 7.5/10 and the 2021 Hyundai Tucson 7.7/10. The Tucson edges ahead on overall score, but the Sportage counters with a stronger warranty and a more engaging turbocharged option. Both are easy to use and stylish, but the Sportage’s weaker cargo space and dated tech make it feel a bit older, while the Tucson’s base engine and noise are its main drawbacks.

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.