Used 2021 Kia Sorento for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Kia Sorento Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2021 Kia Sorento offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more feature-rich models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $19,892
• Best MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Most Popular: LX FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LX FWD — "Who It's For"

The LX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with great features without paying for higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $21,258 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 56 listings
• View LX FWD listings

LX AWD — "Who It's For"

The LX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $21,258 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 48 listings
• View LX AWD listings

S FWD — "Who It's For"

The S FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a standard SUV experience with a lower price point and essential features.

• Avg. market price: $19,892 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 51 listings
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is the pick for shoppers who need all-wheel drive without stepping up to a more expensive trim.

• Avg. market price: $20,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 43 listings
• View S AWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a spacious interior and additional features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $21,258 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 25 listings
• View EX FWD listings

EX AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $21,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 23 listings
• View EX AWD listings

SX FWD — "Who It's For"

The SX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with a focus on comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $19,920 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings
• View SX FWD listings

SX AWD — "Who It's For"

The SX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a premium SUV experience with advanced features and all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $24,443 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 32 listings
• View SX AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LX FWD

With 56 active listings, the LX FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LX FWD listings

Best Budget Option — S FWD

At $19,892 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,258 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LX FWD

The LX FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 24/29 MPG.

Browse LX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?

Prices have softened 12.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,269 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment. If you find a listing below $20,973.24, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good car?

Yes — owners rate it 5/5, and the expert rating is 7.67/10. The standout strength is Look and feel at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the Sorento for its comfort, safety features, value for money, spacious interior, and advanced technology. Those themes line up with its family-friendly use case: you get a three-row SUV that feels easier to live with than a larger crossover while still delivering useful everyday practicality.

The trade-offs are clear, though. The third row is cramped, and the base engine is underwhelming, so you should not expect this model year to feel especially strong when fully loaded or to excel if you need frequent adult seating in back.

The Sorento makes the most sense if you want a manageable family SUV with strong tech and safety appeal rather than maximum cabin space. With 32.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still meaningful market opportunity if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?

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

Owners’ feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, safety, and value that suggests people feel confident living with it over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Sorento’s systems as smooth and easy to manage on long days, which supports the impression of a well-sorted daily driver.

Kia’s standard maintenance coverage is not detailed here, but the overall package still reads as one that should be manageable for used buyers if it has been maintained properly. Your biggest long-term risk is buying a neglected example, so a clean service history matters as much as the trim you choose.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, seat condition, electronics, and how well the third row and driver-assistance features work. If you plan to use the Sorento as a family hauler, make sure the cabin layout and cargo flexibility fit your routine before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX trim has the most basic seat adjustment and cloth upholstery, while higher trims add more power adjustment, heated seats, leatherette, and eventually real perforated leather. If you want the most upscale cabin, the SX Prestige stands out, but the base trim leaves you with fewer comfort features.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, plus a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbo version is the stronger choice if you care about passing power and easier merging.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use poorer-rated LED reflector headlights, while the expensive SX trims get the better LED headlights.
• Infotainment: The LX, S, and EX trims use an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX and SX Prestige upgrade to a 10.25-inch screen, but phone projection requires a wired connection.
• Fuel efficiency: The naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive models are rated at 24 mpg city, 29 highway, and 26 combined, while all-wheel drive drops them to 23/25/24. The turbocharged front-wheel-drive setup is rated at 22/29/25, and the all-wheel-drive turbo returns 21/28/24.

Which 2021 Kia Sorento trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Sorento is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Sorento’s core three-row packaging, standard safety tech, wireless smartphone integration, and the most affordable way into the lineup. It makes sense if you want the lowest price and can live with the most basic seat adjustment and fewer comfort upgrades.
• S: This trim adds a more appealing everyday balance because it builds on the LX with more comfort-oriented equipment while staying below the pricier upper trims. It is the best-value choice if you want a better-equipped Sorento without paying for luxury-style extras.
• EX: This is the middle-ground pick if you want a more polished cabin and additional convenience without jumping all the way to the premium trims. It is a sensible step up if you care about comfort and tech but do not need the top-end features.
• SX: This trim is the move if you want the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a more upscale feel. It suits you best if technology and presentation matter more than keeping the purchase price down.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest interior materials and the most comfort-focused equipment. Choose it if you want the most premium Sorento experience and are willing to pay for it.

For safety, the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use poorer-rated LED reflector headlights, while the SX trims get the better LED headlights.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,269 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,973.24, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Sorento's resale value?

The current average of $20,968 sits slightly below last year's $23,951.

That price movement suggests the Sorento has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you may have less downside left than a shopper who paid closer to the prior-year average.

The model’s broad appeal also helps: it combines family usefulness, strong safety equipment, and good owner satisfaction, all of which support demand in the used market. Still, resale will depend heavily on trim, mileage, condition, and whether the vehicle has the desirable equipment buyers want.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento safe?

The Sorento earns a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and four-star ratings overall and in frontal-impact crash tests and rollover from NHTSA, plus five-star ratings in side-impact crash tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control is also a strength, and the available surround-view camera with front- and rear-camera views at low speeds adds useful parking confidence.

One important caveat is the headlight split by trim: the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims received a poor headlight rating, while the expensive SX trims get the better LED headlights. That means safety equipment is strong overall, but trim choice still matters.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Sorento 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 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned cabin and strong standard safety tech make this year especially appealing.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,863, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,968 average.
• It adds a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system on most trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices have softened and inventory is healthy. If you want the newer-year infotainment upgrade and do not mind paying more, the 2022 is the cleaner step up.

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