How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?

Prices have softened 11.76% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,295 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $21,175.60, 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 — 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 the Sorento for its comfort, safety features, and value for money. The user feedback also highlights the spacious interior and advanced technology, which help it stand out in a crowded three-row SUV field.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped, and the base engine is underwhelming. That means you’ll get the most out of this Sorento if you value a manageable footprint, family-friendly usability, and a strong overall feature set more than maximum passenger space or entry-level punch.

With a moderate market verdict and 28.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners especially appreciating the Sorento’s comfort and value over time. The expert evaluation also describes the vehicle as a compelling family crossover that feels easy to live with day to day.

The powertrains are presented as proven and the AWD system is described as confidence-inspiring in slippery conditions. Kia also includes a broad set of standard safety and convenience features that support everyday dependability.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been abused in higher-mileage family use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper vehicle-by-vehicle review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, seat condition, and how well the tech and safety systems operate. If you need the third row often, make sure it fits your passengers comfortably before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX trim is the most basic setup, with six-way driver adjustment and 4-way front-passenger adjustment, while higher trims add more seat adjustment, heated seats, and more upscale materials. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package brings the most premium cabin feel, including real perforated leather and ventilation.
• 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 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 on the test vehicle.
• Infotainment: The standard 8-inch touchscreen on LX, S, and EX trims supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX and SX Prestige get a 10.25-inch screen, but phone projection on that setup requires a wired connection.
• Fuel efficiency: The naturally aspirated FWD model is rated at 24 mpg city, 29 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD drops to 23/25/24. The turbo FWD model is rated at 22/29/25, and the turbo AWD model at 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 design, standard safety tech, and the smaller 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone projection. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is the most basic cabin experience.
• S: This is the better-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the premium trims. You still get the practical Sorento formula, but with a more satisfying everyday feature mix.
• EX: This trim builds on the S with a more upscale feel and stronger comfort equipment, making it a smart middle ground if you want a nicer cabin without paying for the top end.
• SX: This is the step up if you want the larger 10.25-inch infotainment display and a more premium overall presentation. It suits you if tech and a richer feature set matter more than keeping the budget tight.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version in the lineup, with the best interior materials and the most comfort-focused equipment. It is the right pick if you want the Sorento to feel as upscale as possible, though it is also the most expensive route.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use poorer-rated LED reflector headlights, while the expensive SX trims get the better LED headlights.

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

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you can shop with patience and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,295 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.76% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,175.60, 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 $21,164 sits slightly below last year's $23,984.

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 shop near the lower end of the current range, you reduce the amount of value left to lose. A well-equipped, well-kept example should also be easier to move later because the model’s comfort, safety, and technology remain appealing to 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 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.

Kia equips the Sorento with 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 smooth and easy to live with on long drives.

One caveat is that the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims receive a poor rating for their LED reflector headlights, while the SX trims get the better-rated LED headlights. That makes trim choice especially important if safety equipment 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:

• 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.76% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned body, strong tech, and standard safety equipment make this year especially appealing for family buyers.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,073, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,164 average.
• It adds a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system on most trims.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better value if you want the redesigned Sorento at a lower price and can live with its compromises. If you want the newer model’s added tech and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 remains the smarter buy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.