Used 2021 Kia Sorento for Sale nearHickory, NC

Compare 2021 Kia Sorento Trims

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

• Starting at $16,487
• 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 paying for higher trims. It's the most budget-friendly option.

• Avg. market price: $16,487 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 1,063 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LX FWD listings

LX AWD — "Who It's For"

The LX AWD is ideal for those needing all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It balances features and performance well.

• Avg. market price: $20,602 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 820 listings
• View LX AWD listings

S FWD — "Who It's For"

The S FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a standard SUV with modern features and a stylish design. It's also the most popular trim.

• Avg. market price: $18,906 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 1,116 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is perfect for those who want the benefits of all-wheel drive without sacrificing features. It offers a solid mix of capability and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $19,926 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 506 listings
• View S AWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is for shoppers seeking a standard SUV with enhanced features and performance. It provides a good balance of comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $19,938 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 317 listings
• View EX FWD listings

EX AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX AWD is suited for those who want a sporty SUV with all-wheel drive. It combines performance with a range of modern features.

• Avg. market price: $22,157 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 218 listings
• View EX AWD listings

SX FWD — "Who It's For"

The SX FWD is for tech-savvy shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with premium features. It offers a stylish and comfortable ride.

• Avg. market price: $21,130 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 436 listings
• View SX FWD listings

SX AWD — "Who It's For"

The SX AWD is ideal for those who want a premium SUV with all-wheel drive capabilities. It combines luxury with performance for a refined experience.

• Avg. market price: $23,351 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 586 listings
• View SX AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — S FWD

With 1,116 active listings, the S FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse S FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX FWD

At $16,487 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,270 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX 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 12, 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 2,264 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Sorento earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, safety features, and value for money, and they also like the spacious interior and advanced technology. The Sorento’s use case is especially strong if you want a more maneuverable family crossover rather than a larger three-row SUV.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and an underwhelming base engine. It also sits close enough to the Telluride on price that you should compare both carefully before deciding.

With 32.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to find a competitive example if you shop patiently.

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, trouble-free feel, with praise centered on comfort, safety, and value over the long term.

The expert evaluation also supports that impression by describing the Sorento as a well-rounded family crossover with strong everyday usability and a smooth, comfortable ride. Kia’s maintenance coverage can also help reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the vehicle has been cared for properly, since higher-mileage examples can vary a lot in condition and equipment.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — 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, especially if you’re considering a higher-trim example with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, feature operation, and whether the vehicle matches the trim level and options advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX trim has the most basic seat adjustment and the fewest comfort features, while higher trims add more power adjustment, heated seats, and better upholstery. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package brings the most upscale cabin treatment and the most complete comfort setup.
• 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 model 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. Higher trims add more camera views and the available surround-view camera.
• Infotainment: The LX, S, and EX 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 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 is rated at 22/29/25 with FWD or 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 entry point, and it makes sense if you want the lowest price and can live with the most basic seat adjustment and the simplest cabin setup. It gets the core Sorento formula, but it is the least appealing choice if you care about comfort features.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment over the LX without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims. It is the sweet spot if you want a more complete daily driver without overpaying.
• EX: This trim adds another step up in comfort and convenience, including more generous front-passenger adjustment than the LX and S. It is a good fit if you want a more polished family SUV and are willing to pay for it.
• SX: This is the better choice if you want the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a more upscale feature set. It suits shoppers who care about tech and want a more premium feel without going all the way to the top trim.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest interior materials and the most comfort features. If you want the most complete Sorento experience, this is the one to target.

The LED reflector headlights on the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims received a poor rating, while the more expensive SX trims and their LED headlights earned top marks.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,264 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.86% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,678, 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 $20,678 sits slightly below last year's $23,729.

That price movement suggests the Sorento has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right entry point. A softer market today can also make it easier to find a well-equipped example without paying peak pricing.

If demand stays steady, a used Sorento bought near the current average may hold up better than one purchased when prices were higher. 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-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. The available surround-view camera and low-speed front and rear camera views add useful visibility support.

One important caveat is that the LED reflector headlights on the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims received a poor IIHS rating, so trim choice matters if safety is a priority.

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:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — 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.
• The redesigned Sorento brings a more maneuverable three-row package with strong tech and standard safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,672, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,678 average.
• It adds a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system on most trims.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better buy if you want the lower price and are comfortable with its compromises. If you want more standard tech and can stretch your budget, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.