Used 2021 Kia Seltos for Sale nearPhoenix, AZ

How much does the 2021 Kia Seltos cost?

Prices have softened 7.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 928 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Seltos a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Seltos earns a 4.8/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its great looks, comfortable handling, and strong value for money. They also like the numerous standard features and safety technologies, which reinforces its appeal as a well-equipped small SUV.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine and the desire for more horsepower, along with some missing comfort features that shoppers may find in other models. In practical terms, it fits you best if you want a modern-feeling subcompact SUV with a polished cabin and easy-to-use tech rather than a performance-first crossover.

Only 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is somewhat selective even with solid inventory.

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, with many drivers describing it as a strong value that they can count on over time. That same feedback also highlights comfort, useful standard features, and a sense that the Seltos delivers a trouble-free ownership experience for many buyers.

The expert drive notes also support that impression by describing the Seltos as a car that punches above its weight in driveability, cabin quality, space, and utility. Kia’s maintenance coverage can also help reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been cared for well, since condition and maintenance history will matter more than the model’s broad reputation.

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

At 74.7% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, alignment, and interior condition. Because this model has a wide spread of trims and equipment, it also pays to confirm that the features you want are actually present on the specific listing.

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, while 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, with the SX Turbo bringing the largest touchscreen and upgraded audio.
• Powertrain: The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive or AWD. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard AWD.
• Safety package: All trims but the base LX include 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, 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 when parallel parking.
• Infotainment: The base setup includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX Turbo adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a Bose premium sound system, and a digital instrument display.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive returns 29 mpg city, 34 highway, and 31 combined. With AWD, it returns 27 mpg city, 31 highway, and 29 combined. The 1.6-liter AWD setup is rated at 25 mpg city, 30 highway, and 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 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the basic cabin and convenience features. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price, but it also misses the full driver-assistance suite that comes on the higher trims.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds LED daytime running lights, roof rails, upgraded interior materials, and the same easy-to-use infotainment setup. It also gets the full suite of driver-assistance safety features, making it the trim where the Seltos starts to feel properly equipped.
• EX: This trim is the comfort-focused step up, adding a sunroof, power driver’s seat, automatic climate control, wireless charging, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It suits you if you want more convenience and a more premium feel without jumping to the turbo models.
• S Turbo: This is the choice if you want the stronger engine and standard AWD, plus additional driver-assistance features. It is the right pick if you care more about passing power and all-weather confidence than about keeping the price down.
• SX Turbo: This is the top trim, with the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bose audio, digital display, rear cargo cover, and the most advanced driver-assistance content. It is the best fit if you want the most technology and equipment in one package.

The safety package is not standard on the LX, so if safety tech matters to you, start your search at the S trim or higher.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 928 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,794, 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 $15,796 sits slightly below last year's $17,090.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at a strong price and keep the vehicle in good condition, you can reduce the impact of that softer market.

The current range also shows that values have settled into a narrower band, which usually means future resale will depend more on trim, mileage, condition, and history than on broad market momentum. 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?

The 2021 Kia Seltos earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

The Seltos comes standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and rear-seat child-seat anchors. All trims but the base LX include 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, 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 when parallel parking.

The main caveat is that the full driver-assistance suite does not come standard on the LX, so safety-minded shoppers should avoid the base trim if those features matter to you.

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:

• 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.57% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 is the all-new debut year, bringing the Seltos’ high-quality cabin, latest infotainment, and safety tech to the segment.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,653, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $15,796 average.
• It adds a Nightfall Edition with blacked-out trim and expands availability of driver-assist tech and the 10.25-inch touchscreen.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the stronger buy because prices are softer and the model already brings the core Seltos strengths. If you want more feature availability and a newer model-year update, the 2022 is worth a look, but you should expect to pay more.

How does the 2021 Kia Seltos compare to the 2021 Hyundai Kona?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia Seltos:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great handling, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Poor ride quality, Cramped back seat.

2021 Hyundai Kona:

• Pros: Great handling, Easy-to-use technology, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Cramped back seat, Underwhelming base engine, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia Seltos 8/10 and the 2021 Hyundai Kona 7.2/10. The Seltos leans more toward style and overall polish, while the Kona stands out for standard advanced safety features. Both have the same basic drawbacks in the back seat and base-engine performance, so your choice comes down to whether you value the Seltos’ stronger overall package or the Kona’s safety equipment.

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.