Used 2021 Kia Seltos for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Kia Seltos cost?

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

There are 919 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $16,138.80, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia Seltos a good car?

Yes — the 4.8/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 8.00/10. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the Seltos for its great looks, comfortable handling, and strong value for money. They also like the numerous standard features and safety technologies, which helps it feel well equipped for the class.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: some drivers want more horsepower, and others wish for extra comfort features that are available elsewhere. The overview also frames it as a small SUV that gives you a high-quality cabin, useful space, and easy-to-use technology without feeling stripped down.

With 32.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Seltos reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, value-focused, and comfortable to live with over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Seltos punches above its weight in driveability, cabin quality, space, and utility, which supports the case for steady day-to-day ownership.

The cost-effectiveness notes also reinforce that the Seltos is built to be practical to own, especially if you choose the more efficient powertrain. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is ending up with a higher-mileage example that has been driven hard or not maintained consistently.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, ride quality, and interior condition, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. It also makes sense to compare trims closely, because some of the most desirable safety and convenience features are not standard on every version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the most basic version, with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, remote keyless entry, power windows, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S adds LED daytime running lights, roof rails, leatherette-and-cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The EX adds a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, a power driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and a wireless charging pad. The S Turbo and SX Turbo add the more powerful engine, while the SX Turbo brings the largest touchscreen and the most upscale equipment.
• Powertrain: The LX, S, and EX use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and available front-wheel drive or AWD. The S Turbo and SX Turbo use a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard AWD. The base engine is efficient, but it can feel weak at higher speeds.
• Safety package: The driver-assistance suite includes forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX adds adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go, cyclist detection, and a feature that helps detect whether it is safe to exit the vehicle when parallel parking. These features do not come standard on the base LX.
• Infotainment: The base setup includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base S also adds a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel. The SX Turbo upgrades to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital display, and a Bose premium sound system. The system is straightforward and intuitive, with hard buttons that make it easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive returns 29 mpg city, 34 highway, 31 combined. With AWD, it returns 27 mpg city, 31 highway, 29 combined. The 1.6-liter AWD turbo model is rated at 25 mpg city, 30 highway, 27 combined.

Which 2021 Kia Seltos trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Seltos is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Seltos experience with the standard touchscreen, basic convenience features, and AWD standard. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but you give up the broader driver-assistance suite that comes on higher trims.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful style and comfort upgrades, plus the base digital instrument display. It also keeps the price and equipment balance in a sweet spot if you want more than the LX without jumping too far up the range.
• EX: This trim is the right move if you want a more polished daily driver, thanks to the sunroof, power driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and wireless charging pad. It also adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which makes it a strong choice if safety tech matters to you.
• S Turbo: This is the pick if you want the stronger engine and standard AWD without going all the way to the top trim. It keeps much of the EX equipment while adding the more powerful powertrain, so it suits you if performance matters more than luxury extras.
• SX Turbo: This is the most fully equipped version, with the largest touchscreen, upgraded audio, LED fog lamps, and the most advanced driver-assistance features. Choose it if you want the most tech and convenience in one package.

The safety package is not standard on the LX, so if driver-assistance features matter to you, shop above the base trim.

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

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

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 919 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,138.80, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Seltos's resale value?

The current average of $16,131 sits slightly below last year's $17,590.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the year-over-year change is negative, your best resale protection comes from buying well and keeping the vehicle in strong shape. Higher-demand trims with better equipment and cleaner histories should be easier to move later.

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 Seltos safe?

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

The Seltos comes standard with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches for the rear seats. It also includes forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams on trims above the base LX.

The EX adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX adds adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go, cyclist detection, and a feature that helps detect whether it is safe to exit the vehicle when parallel parking. The main caveat is that these driver-assistance features do not come standard on the base LX.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Seltos 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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It arrives as an all-new model with a high-quality cabin, refined driving dynamics, and useful space.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,155, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,131 average.
• It adds a Nightfall Edition and expands availability of key tech and driver-assist features.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter buy because pricing has softened and owner satisfaction is strong. If you are willing to spend more for broader availability of newer features, the 2022 is the better secondary path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.