Used 2021 Kia Sorento for Sale nearColumbus, OH

Compare 2021 Kia Sorento Trims in Columbus, OH

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 $18,596
• 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-equipped SUV without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 81 listings
• View LX FWD listings

LX AWD — "Who It's For"

The LX AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It balances features and capability well.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 65 listings
• View LX AWD listings

S FWD — "Who It's For"

The S FWD is ideal for budget-conscious buyers wanting a standard SUV experience with essential features included.

• Avg. market price: $18,596 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 67 listings
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD caters to those who need all-wheel drive and a few extra features without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $20,430 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 41 listings
• View S AWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is for shoppers wanting a standard SUV with added luxury features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 27 listings
• View EX FWD listings

EX AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX AWD is perfect for those who want a balance of luxury and all-weather capability in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings
• View EX AWD listings

SX FWD — "Who It's For"

The SX FWD is for buyers looking for a more luxurious experience without going for the highest trim level.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 28 listings
• View SX FWD listings

SX AWD — "Who It's For"

The SX AWD is the choice for those wanting a fully loaded SUV with all-wheel drive for added confidence on the road.

• Avg. market price: $20,555 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 61 listings
• View SX AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LX FWD

With 81 active listings, the LX FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LX FWD listings

Best Budget Option — S FWD

At $18,596 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,555 — 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 October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?

Prices have softened 12.35% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,195 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Sorento earns 5/5 from owners and 7.7/10 from our experts. 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 redesigned three-row layout also fits the overview well if you want a family crossover that feels easier to maneuver than a larger SUV.

The main trade-offs are the cramped third row and the underwhelming base engine. It also sits close in price to the Telluride, which can make the value equation feel less straightforward.

Good and great deals account for 35.5% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, safety, and value. The Sorento’s performance notes also support that impression, since the powertrain lineup is described as proven and the ride is smooth and comfortable in everyday driving.

Kia also includes a strong set of standard safety features, which can help reduce ownership stress over time. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is choosing a higher-mileage example that has not been maintained carefully or that has been used hard in its third row and tech-heavy features.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.2% — 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 third row, infotainment operation, seat adjustments, and any signs of wear from family use. Condition matters a lot here, especially if you want the Sorento’s comfort and technology to feel as good as advertised.

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 higher trims add more seat adjustment and more upscale materials. Heated seats are available on all but the LX trim, 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 with an eight-speed automatic and is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder is also available, and the hybrid version is covered separately.
• 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. Adaptive cruise control is also highlighted as a strong system. The more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use LED reflector headlights that received a poor rating.
• Infotainment: The standard 8-inch touchscreen on LX, S, and EX trims can wirelessly project Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX and SX Prestige trims get a 10.25-inch screen, but wireless phone projection is not supported on that larger display.
• Fuel efficiency: The naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive model is rated at 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. All-wheel drive lowers those figures to 23 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The turbocharged version is rated at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with all-wheel drive.

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 design, standard safety tech, and basic infotainment at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the Sorento’s shape and features without paying for extras, but it is the least equipped version.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience while staying below the upper trims. It also keeps the Sorento’s practical strengths intact without pushing you into the pricier luxury-leaning territory.
• EX: This trim is the middle ground if you want a more polished cabin and more everyday comfort than the S. It is a sensible step up if you plan to keep the Sorento for family duty and want a better-equipped interior.
• SX: This is the first trim that brings the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, and it moves the Sorento into a more upscale-feeling space. Choose it if tech matters more to you than value.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest materials and the most comfort features, including the available ventilation setup when paired with the X-Line package. It suits you best if you want the Sorento to feel as premium 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 with some leverage if you stay disciplined.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,195 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.35% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,974, 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 $19,974 sits slightly below last year's $22,788.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means the market has already adjusted downward. If you plan to resell later, your best protection is to buy a clean, well-kept example at a strong price today.

The Sorento’s broad appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and standard safety equipment should help it stay relevant with used buyers. 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 four out of five stars overall from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA 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 part of the package and is described as smooth and well-calibrated.

One important caveat is that the LED reflector headlights on the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims received a poor IIHS rating. If safety is a top priority, that trim-level difference is worth paying attention to.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.35% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year: it brings a redesigned body, strong standard safety equipment, and a more maneuverable family-crossover feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $22,924, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,974 average.
• It adds a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system on most trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better bargain, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices have softened and inventory is healthy. If you want the newer-year updates and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

How does the 2021 Kia Sorento compare to the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia Sorento:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Priced too close to the Telluride, Cramped third row, Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe:

• Pros: Stylish design, Impressive technology, Comfortable.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia Sorento 7.7/10 and the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 8.7/10. The Sorento stands out for its standard safety features and more ambitious three-row packaging, while the Santa Fe gets the edge on overall expert score and comfort. Both share the same base engine, so neither is a clear winner if you prioritize acceleration. If you want the more family-focused layout, the Sorento makes sense; if you want the higher-scoring overall package, the Santa Fe is the stronger pick.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.