Used 2021 Kia Sorento for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Kia Sorento Trims in Columbia, SC

The 2021 Kia Sorento offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $18,090
• Best MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Most Popular: S 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-equipped SUV without breaking the bank. It offers great value with essential features.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 85 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 paying a premium. It's a practical choice for families in varied climates.

• Avg. market price: $18,090 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 49 listings
• View LX AWD listings

S FWD — "Who It's For"

The S FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of features and affordability. It's the most popular trim, offering a great mix of tech and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $18,495 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 115 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is the pick for shoppers who want added traction and features without a significant price jump. It’s ideal for those needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View S AWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a more powerful engine and additional features without going all out. It balances performance and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 55 listings
• View EX FWD listings

EX AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a premium feel with all-wheel drive. It’s perfect for those who prioritize comfort and capability.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 20 listings
• View EX AWD listings

SX FWD — "Who It's For"

The SX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want advanced tech and luxury features without the highest price tag. It’s a great choice for tech-savvy families.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 48 listings
• View SX FWD listings

SX AWD — "Who It's For"

The SX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with all-wheel drive. It’s ideal for those who need both luxury and capability.

• Avg. market price: $19,531 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 50 listings
• View SX AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — S FWD

With 115 active listings, the S FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a great mix of features and affordability.

Browse S FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX AWD

At $18,090 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,531 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LX FWD

The LX FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 24/29 MPG/MPGe, making it a smart choice for efficiency.

Browse LX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?

Prices have softened 12.86% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,225 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Sorentos to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good car?

Yes — with a 5/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating, the 2021 Kia Sorento lands as a strong all-around pick. The standout strength is Look and feel at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, safety features, value for money, spacious interior, and advanced technology. The Sorento’s slightly smaller footprint also makes it easier to maneuver than some rivals, which fits well if you want family utility without a bulky feel.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and a base engine that can feel underwhelming. It also sits close in price to the Telluride, so you should weigh whether the Sorento’s smaller size is the better fit for your needs.

With 35.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful room to find a competitive price.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, safety features, and value that suggests the Sorento is the kind of SUV many drivers feel good about keeping.

The expert evaluation also describes the Sorento’s systems as well sorted, with smooth operation and a comfortable ride that supports everyday dependability. Kia’s standard safety and convenience equipment adds to the sense that this is a well-rounded vehicle built to handle regular family use.

If you’re shopping used, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained well and that the third-row and feature set still match your expectations.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.3% — 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 the condition of the seats, electronics, cameras, and driver-assistance systems, since those are the kinds of features that can matter most in daily use. It also makes sense to confirm that the trim level matches the equipment you expect, especially if you want more comfort or tech than the base model provides.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX trim is the most basic, with six-way driver adjustment and 4-way front-passenger adjustment, while other trims add 10-way driver adjustment with power lumbar support. Heated seats are available on all but the LX, and ventilation is reserved for the SX Prestige with the X-Line package.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbo setup is the stronger choice if you want easier merging and passing.
• 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. A surround-view camera and front- and rear-camera views at low speeds are also mentioned.
• Infotainment: The LX, S, and EX use an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX and SX Prestige get a 10.25-inch screen, but phone projection on that display requires a wired connection.
• Fuel efficiency: The naturally aspirated four-cylinder is rated at 24 mpg city, 29 highway, and 26 combined with FWD, or 23/25/24 with AWD. The turbo four-cylinder returns 22/29/25 with FWD and 21/28/24 with AWD.

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 value entry point, but it comes with the most basic seat adjustment and the least generous comfort setup. It makes sense if you want the Sorento’s core space, safety, and tech at the lowest price.
• S: This is the better everyday pick if you want a more balanced mix of equipment and value. It adds more comfort than LX without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• EX: This is the trim to target if you want a stronger blend of comfort and features without going all the way to the luxury-leaning top end. It sits in the sweet spot for many shoppers.
• SX: This trim brings the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a more upscale feel, but it also moves you into a higher price bracket. It suits you if tech presentation matters a lot.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version, with real perforated leather and the most premium comfort features. It’s the right choice if you want the Sorento to feel as upscale as possible.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use LED reflector headlights that received a poor rating.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,225 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.86% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,232, 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 $20,232 sits slightly below last year's $23,218.

That price drop suggests the Sorento has become more accessible for used buyers, which can help support demand in the near term. For a future seller, it also means you may need to compete more on condition, mileage, and equipment to stand out. Well-kept examples with desirable trims and strong feature content should hold up better than bare-bones versions.

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 2021 Kia Sorento earns a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, and it receives four-star ratings overall and in frontal-impact crash tests and rollover, plus five-star ratings in side-impact crash tests from NHTSA.

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 highlighted as a smooth, useful system for long drives.

One important caveat is that the LED reflector headlights on the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims received a poor IIHS rating, while the more expensive SX trims with LED headlights performed better.

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:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.86% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a redesigned body, strong styling, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,231, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,232 average.
• It adds a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system on most trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter starting point because pricing has eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for newer equipment and a few meaningful updates, the 2022 is worth a look; otherwise, the 2021 gives you the stronger price-to-feature balance.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.