Used 2021 Kia Sorento for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2021 Kia Sorento Trims in Raleigh, NC

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 $14,494
• 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's a great value option for families.

• Avg. market price: $20,524 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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 an affordable choice for varied weather conditions.

• Avg. market price: $14,494 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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 great value.

• Avg. market price: $19,460 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 16 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View S FWD 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 too high in price. It's a solid choice for daily driving.

• Avg. market price: $20,524 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View EX FWD listings

SX FWD — "Who It's For"

The SX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and a comfortable ride without going for the top-tier model. It's a great balance of luxury and value.

• Avg. market price: $20,524 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SX FWD listings

SX AWD — "Who It's For"

The SX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a trail-ready SUV with premium features. It's ideal for those who need versatility and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $22,910 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 9 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SX AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — S FWD

With 16 active listings, the S FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a great mix of features and value.

Browse S FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX AWD

At $14,494 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,524 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LX FWD

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

Browse LX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?

Prices have softened 11.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,171 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Sorento earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 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 that still offers three rows and a polished design.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and an underwhelming base engine. Even so, the model’s combination of style, equipment, and family-friendly packaging keeps it appealing. Good and great deals account for 34.4% of listings, which suggests there are worthwhile opportunities in the market.

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 highlighting comfort, safety, and value over the long term. The expert review also describes the Sorento as a compelling family crossover that feels well sorted in everyday use.

Kia’s standard safety and convenience features help reinforce that sense of confidence, and the model’s smooth operation supports easy day-to-day ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy family use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with a vehicle history report, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks for signs of wear, prior damage, and uneven use. Focus on the condition of the third row, the interior materials, and the operation of the tech and safety systems, since those are the areas you’re most likely to use every day.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX trim has a six-way driver seat and 4-way front-passenger adjustment, while other trims add 10-way driver adjustment with lumbar support. Heated seats are available on all but the LX, and the top SX Prestige with the X-Line package adds ventilation and the most upscale seating materials.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic, with FWD or AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder brings 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the AWD system includes torque vectoring and a center-locking differential.
• 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 LED reflector headlights that received a poor rating.
• 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 FWD model is rated at 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while AWD drops to 23/25/24. The turbo FWD version is rated at 22/29/25, and the turbo AWD version 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 value proposition at the lowest price. It includes the standard safety suite and the 8-inch touchscreen, but the seat adjustment and overall equipment level are more basic than the higher trims.
• S: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims. You get the stronger everyday equipment mix while staying close to the Sorento’s value-focused side.
• EX: This trim adds more polish and comfort, making it a smart middle ground if you want a more upscale feel without going to the top of the range. It keeps the useful tech and adds a more premium experience than the lower trims.
• SX: This is the step for shoppers who want the larger 10.25-inch screen and a more premium feature set. It’s the better pick if you care more about tech and upscale presentation than minimizing cost.
• SX Prestige: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest materials and the most comfort features. It makes the most sense if you want the Sorento to feel as close to a near-luxury family SUV as possible.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but the more affordable trims use poorer-rated headlights than the upper trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,171 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,804, 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 $19,807 sits slightly below last year's $22,501.

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 number. If you purchase near the current market average or below it, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell.

The model’s strong owner satisfaction also helps support demand in the used market. 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 helpful visibility, and adaptive cruise control is another strength.

One caveat is that the more affordable LX, S, and EX trims use LED reflector headlights that received a poor IIHS rating. That makes trim choice especially important if safety is a top 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:

• 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned model brings a more maneuverable family crossover feel with strong tech and standard safety.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $22,551, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,807 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 it already delivers the redesign, strong owner satisfaction, and a lower average price. If you’re willing to pay more for the newer model’s added tech and updated equipment, the 2022 is the better path.

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 advanced safety features and three-row layout, while the Santa Fe gets the edge on overall expert score and comfort. Both share stylish design and impressive technology, but the Sorento’s cramped third row and pricing proximity to the Telluride make it a tougher value call.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.