How much does the 2021 Kia Sportage cost?

Prices have softened 7.76% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,850 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $16,186.24, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Sportage earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its power, smooth ride, and feature content, and many also call out the AWD capability as a strong point. The review summary also points to it as a reliable and comfortable choice for everyday use, with a practical mix of features that helps it fit daily driving well.

The trade-offs are that the cabin can feel a bit noisy and some shoppers wish it had a 360 camera. The overview also notes that cargo space is limited and the technology can feel outdated, so you should weigh those compromises against the Sportage’s style and usability.

For shoppers who want a compact crossover sized for city streets with a little more personality, it makes a compelling case. With 32.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a vehicle that many drivers trust for everyday use, with language emphasizing reliability, comfort, and a dependable feel. It also suggests the Sportage is a model people feel good about keeping over time, especially when they value a smooth ride and useful features.

The expert notes reinforce that impression by describing the powertrain as competent and the ride as smooth, which supports the idea of a crossover that should be easy to live with. Kia’s warranty reputation also adds to the appeal for used buyers who want extra peace of mind.

For used shoppers, the main long-term risk is less about outright weakness and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by age, mileage, or neglected maintenance.

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

At 69.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and signs of prior bodywork, since the market includes a meaningful number of cars with accident history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim already includes a lot of safety equipment, but the cabin is still described as not especially tech-forward. Higher trims add more comfort and convenience, while the SX Turbo stands out for upgraded wheels and a more premium feel.
• Powertrain: The LX and EX use a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, while the SX Turbo uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 hp and 260 lb-ft. Fuel economy ranges from 23 mpg city, 30 highway, 26 combined in FWD 2.4-liter models to 19/24/21 in AWD turbo models.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo also adds adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses an 8-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports are standard. Most trims also get connected services, while the SX Turbo adds wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD 2.4-liter models return 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. AWD 2.4-liter models are rated at 21/25/23, while the turbocharged FWD and AWD versions are rated at 20/28/23 and 19/24/21, respectively.

Which 2021 Kia Sportage trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Sportage is offered in 3 trim levels: LX, EX, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX gives you the core safety suite and the 8-inch touchscreen, but it lacks the extra power and premium touches of the higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX is the best value if you want the standard engine with a more complete everyday setup without jumping to the pricier turbo model.
• Premium/top trim: The SX Turbo is the one to choose if you want the strongest performance, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, and the premium Harman Kardon audio system.

The SX Turbo also gets Top Safety Pick status from IIHS thanks to upgraded headlights, which is a useful trim-level safety note if you want the most complete package.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare condition, mileage, and trim.

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,850 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.76% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,186.24, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Sportage's resale value?

The current average of $16,486 sits slightly below last year's $17,873.

That softer pricing suggests the Sportage has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the range and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later.

The market also shows steady shopper interest, which matters when it’s time to resell. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage safe?

It earns Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and all trim levels do well in crash tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard driver-assistance suite is a major strength here. You get forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system on the base trim.

The main safety caveat is that adaptive cruise control is reserved for the SX Turbo, so you need to move up the trim ladder to get the full suite. That makes the base model well equipped, but not fully loaded.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Sportage 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:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.76% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It offers a practical compact-crossover package with strong safety content and easy-to-use tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,263, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,486 average.
• It adds a new Nightfall Edition and a standard panoramic sunroof on the EX.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because pricing has softened and the feature set is still strong. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year update and a few added features, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.