How much does the 2021 Kia Sportage cost?

Prices have softened 7.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,830 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare against.

If you find a listing below $16,185.30, 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, which points to strong owner satisfaction. It also scores 7.5/10 from our experts.

The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its power, smooth ride, and feature content, and they also call out the AWD capability as a dependable everyday advantage. The model’s easy-to-use technology and broad appeal for city driving fit well with its compact size and practical small-SUV mission.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is described as fairly pedestrian overall, the cabin tech feels outdated, and cargo space is limited. Even so, if you want a practical crossover with personality rather than maximum utility, the Sportage still makes sense.

Only 26.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may not linger long.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a reliable, comfortable, and trouble-free feel for everyday use, with drivers especially appreciating the smooth ride and the confidence that comes with AWD. That kind of long-term praise matters when you’re shopping used, because it suggests the Sportage has earned trust beyond the first owner.

The expert evaluation also supports that impression by describing the Sportage as competent and rewarding to drive, especially with the turbocharged engine. Kia’s warranty reputation adds to the ownership appeal, and the model’s easy-to-live-with controls help reduce day-to-day frustration.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use.

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

At 69.6% 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 body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the cabin and mechanicals match the seller’s description. Because accident history is common enough to matter here, condition should carry more weight than mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim already includes a lot of safety equipment, while higher trims add more convenience and comfort features. If you want the most complete package, compare the feature gaps carefully before paying extra.
• Powertrain: The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is the mainstream engine, while the turbocharged 2.0-liter delivers much stronger output and a more engaging drive. Efficiency varies by drivetrain and engine, so match the setup to how you actually drive.
• Safety package: Standard driver assistance 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. Adaptive cruise control is reserved for the SX Turbo.
• Infotainment: The 8-inch touchscreen is standard, along with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, and UVO Link on most trims. The interface is straightforward, and the SX Turbo adds wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models with the 2.4-liter engine return 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. AWD versions with that engine are rated at 21/25/23, while turbo models return 20/28/23 in FWD form and 19/24/21 with AWD.

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:

• LX: This is the value play if you want the Sportage’s core strengths without stretching your budget. It already brings the standard safety suite and the easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen, so you’re not giving up the essentials.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it keeps the Sportage practical while moving you up the lineup without jumping all the way to the turbo model. It’s the trim to target if you want a more balanced mix of features and price.
• SX Turbo: Choose this if you care most about stronger acceleration, the more rewarding driving experience, and the richer feature set. It also adds adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, and the premium audio system.

The safety package is especially strong even on the base trim, while the SX Turbo adds adaptive cruise control and earns Top Safety Pick status from IIHS.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 26.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,830 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.49% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,185.30, 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 $16,431 sits slightly below last year's $17,761.

That tells you the market has softened, which can work against you if you’re selling soon. On the other hand, it can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. If prices stabilize, a well-kept Sportage should be in a better position than one with accident history or visible wear.

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?

The 2021 Kia Sportage earns Top Safety Pick status from IIHS, and all trim levels do well in NHTSA crash tests.

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

The standard safety suite is a major strength here: 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 all come standard. That’s unusually robust coverage for a base trim.

If you move up to the SX Turbo, you also get adaptive cruise control. The main caveat is that this extra feature is not standard across the lineup, so you’ll want to confirm the trim if that matters to you.

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:

• 26.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.49% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It offers strong standard safety equipment and a practical, easy-to-use cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,297, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,431 average.
• It adds a more modern trim lineup and a standard panoramic sunroof on the EX.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it’s cheaper and still well liked by owners. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer-feeling setup and a few added features, the 2022 is the better secondary path.

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