2021 Kia Sorento Specs, Prices, Reviews, and Pictures | Mid-Size SUV

2021 kia sorento

Kia Sorento is again out with its 2021 release, and we cannot stop ourselves from admiring it. Sorento is a sport utility vehicle model lineup by Korean automaker Kia. 

The company has introduced seven generations in the lineup since its introduction in the year 2002. And with each passing year, the model has become better and better.

Sure there is a rise in the costs too, but the Korean automaker made sure there was no compromise with the quality, reliability, and safety standard of the vehicle.

Today we are going to discuss the 2021 Kia Sorento. We will talk about its top features, price, safety, and more.

So, keep reading to learn more.

Kia Sorento

Kia introduced the Sorento model in the year 2002 as a sport utility vehicle body style. So far, seven generations have been made under the model lineup, and there are many more to come.

Sorento is a two and three-row SUV that comes with many engine options. Whether you desire gasoline, diesel, or hybrid, you get it with the Kia Sorento.

With so many years of change and enhancements, the Kia Sorento 2021 is finally out, and we have a lot to talk about it.

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Key Pointers:

  • Generations: 7
  • Debut year: 2002
  • Engines: Hybrid, Diesel, Gasoline
  • Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)

Key Competitors:

  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Volkswagen Tiguan
  • Ford Edge

Kia Sorento 2021 Review

The all-new Kia Sorento 2021 is a three-row SUV that has been completely redesigned for 2021. This mid-size sports utility vehicle turns ut to be bolder and more chiseled appearance.

kia sorento 2021 exterior

2021 Kia Sorento did not only get the fresh styling but many minor enhancements make this outgoing ride a much better option than its competitors.

The interior is a total upgrade from the previous models. You can see changes like textured trims, ambient lightning, big displays, etc., making Sorento a premium ride for every family.

Some changes like wrapped steering wheel, console storage bins, are likely to be standard on all Sorentos, whereas some changes are only available in the high-end trims.

And if you like, you can check out the latest SUV lease deals here to get the best price for the top models.

Key Specs Of Kia Sorento 2021:

  • MSRP: From $29,390
  • Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
  • MPG: Up to 24 city / 29 highway (26 combined mpg)
  • Horsepower: 191 to 281 hp
  • Capacity: 7 Seats
  • Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive

Some Notable Features

  • Mid-size SUV seats up to seven in three rows
  • The standard automatic emergency braking system
  • Standard ultrasonic rear-seat reminder system
  • Hybrid version
  • Rugged X-Line model
  • Two four-cylinder engines, with FWD or AWD

Engine & Performance

The Kia Sorento comes with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine capable of boosting 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. Paired with eight-speed automatic transmission, the model has a standard front-wheel drivetrain with an all-wheel drivetrain available optionally.

Another optional engine that is available is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that charges 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine is available with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with FWD standard and AWD as optional.

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The vehicle can attain an acceleration of 60 miles per hour in just 6.3 seconds. 

Furthermore, the hybrid option of the Sorento comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine powered by a 1.5 kWh battery. This combination makes 227 horsepower which is channeled through the front wheel via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Lastly, the plug-in hybrid model uses the 1.6 liters four-cylinder turbo engine which is powered by a 13.8 kWh battery. It can boost up to 261 horsepower distributed to standard AWD vis 6-speed automatic transmission.

2021 Kia Sorento Price

The 2021 Kia Sorento comes with six offered trim levels namely, LS, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige, & SX Prestige X-Line. You can own the base model for a starting price of $29,390.

Each offered trim has a few enhancements over the others, and thus you can see the difference in the starting price of the models.

2021 Kia Sorento Offered Trim Prices:

  • LX – $29,390
  • S – $31,890
  • EX – $34,990
  • SX – $37,990
  • SX Prestige – $40,590
  • SX Prestige X-Line – $42,590

Offered Trims

The 2021 Kia Sorento offers six trim levels with each of them starting with the different initial selling price. It is common for people to get confused about different base prices for different trims.

To help you realize the concept of different price ranges, here we have listed a brief about each trim so that you can understand the value of the money you need to pay for each trim level.

  • Kia Sorento LX

LX is the base level trim of the Sorento and holds the base price of $29,390. The model comes with a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine paired up with 8-speed automatic transmission & front-wheel drive and can boost up to 191 horsepower.

The standard features include a 6-speaker stereo, 8-inch touch screen, HD radio, USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Android Auto & Apple Car Play.

For safety, you get standard Driver assistance that features traffic sign recognition, rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning.

  • Kia Sorento S

The S trim comes with an initial price of $31,890. In addition to the features of base trim in S trim, you get synthetic leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, rear cross-traffic alert, vehicle exit warning, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

  • Kia Sorento EX

The EX trim has a starting price of $34,990. This trim comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can charge up to 281 horsepower. Unlike the former lower trim levels, EX features second-row captain seats, adaptive cruise control, hands-free liftgate, and wireless device charging.

  • Kia Sorento SX

The Sorento SX trim cosots $37,990. Along with all the features of the previous trim levels, the SX comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch touch screen, navigation, satellite radio, and a power-adjustable passenger seat.

  • Kia Sorento SX Prestige

The SX Prestige of the Sorento comes with a starting price of $40,590. In addition to all the features of SX trim, the SX Prestige comes with ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, reverse automatic emergency braking, a 12 speaker bose audio system, and a surround-view parking camera system.

  • Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line

The SX Prestige X-Line is the highest Sorento trim level that comes with an initial price of $42,590. Along with all the features from the SX Prestige trim level, the X-Line package includes AWD and many unique styling elements.

Thus, you can see every upper trim level has something extra to offer than the previous one. So, you need to pay for all those extra advances in the trim. This is why every trim level holds its initial price that can rise as per your decision of addition of extra offered features.

Fuel Economy

When it comes to efficiency and providing good fuel economy, Kia Sorento is a keeper. You get one of the best fuel efficiency in the SUV class with the 2021 Sorento.

  • With the gasoline setup, you get a combined mpg of 26 with up to 24 city / 29 highway.
  • The hybrid setup of the model has an efficiency rated at 39/35 mpg.
  • Kia estimates a pure electric range of 30 miles on the Sorento plug-in hybrid.

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Safety

kia sorento 2021 review

Kia is one of the top automakers well known for its safe and reliable cars. The 2021 Sorento Kia comes with standard driver-assist features.

Along with this, the car holds man active safety features like forwarding collision warning, automatic emergency brakes, lane keep assist, rear seat occupant, and automatic speed limit adaptation.

Furthermore, features like video blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear & cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking are also available.

Standard advanced safety features:

  • Rearview camera
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Forward collision warning
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Forward automatic emergency braking
  • Lane keep assist
  • Lane departure warning
  • Driver drowsiness monitoring

Available advanced safety features:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Vehicle exit warning
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Reverse automatic emergency braking
  • A surround-view parking camera system

Interior & Cargo Space

Kia Sorento is a three-row SUV that can seat up to seven people. The second row is a standard bench seat, but you can have the individual second-row captain seats installed if you want.

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2021 kia sorento interior

In the newly redesigned Sorento, you get more inner & cargo space, but it is still smaller than the Kia Telluride. 

The legroom in all three rows is good, so you don’t have to worry about being cramped up in the final row. But if you are tall, it does get a little tight.

The cargo space is big enough to hold the luggage for your family trips. Sure some rivals provide more cargo space, but in its class, the area provided by Kia Sorento for cargo is acceptable.

Technology

User-friendly tech features are what we look for in a vehicle and the 2021 Kia Sorento provides it all well. 

The UVO infotainment system of the vehicle is easy to master. The responsive touch screen has sharp graphics and comes with physical controls as well. You get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto with wireless connectivity, however, with the larger display you need a UBS cable to run it.

  • With the new resigned model, you get a standard eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 10.3-inch optional unit.
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity is available.
  • A 12.3-inch all-digital gauge display is either available or optional depending on the trim you buy.
  • The entry-level trim has six USB ports, while the remaining have eight ports between the three rows.
  • A built-in navigation system is also provided.
  • A 360 degree-view camera system and 12-speaker Bose audio setup is also an optional feature of the 2021 Sorento.
  • A semi-autonomous parking system is also offered by Kia.
  • Kia Access smartphone app allows you to manage driver profile settings, and monitor & control other vehicle functions.

Standard infotainment features An 8-inch touch screen, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Other available tech features are A panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start.

 Changes in Kia Sorento In The Last 5 Years

  • 2017: The 2017 model gained available Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and automatic emergency braking.
  • 2018: Sorento that came out in 2018 features no notable changes as compared to the previous one. 
  • 2019: Kia Sorento of 2019 featured a turbocharged four-cylinder. The two-row model got discontinued by the company. Also, the V6 models geared up with 8-speed automatic transmission, and Android Auto & Apple CarPlay became standard features.
  • Furthermore, many driver assistance features became available to the buyers. 
  • 2020: For 2020, Kia added S trim level in the model lineup, and EX Sport trim was renamed as EX. Also, the SX Limited trim got discontinued. 
  • 2021: The 2021 Sorento has been completely revamped with a new powertrain, slightly more cargo space, and more standard features.

Pros Of Kia Sorento

  • Good gas efficiency
  • Roomy first & second row
  • Upscale Interior
  • Quiet cabin
  • Wireless phone charging
  • Standard Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

Cons Of Kia Sorento

  • Less cargo space as compared to competitors
  • The hybrid model is pricey
  • No all-wheel drive for the regular hybrid option
  • Firm ride quality

Top FAQs About New Kia Sorento 2021

What changed in 2020 Kia Sorento?

There is much difference between the 2020 Kia Sorento and the 2021 Kia Sorento. 2021 Kia Sorento is completely redesigned. Thus, it does not have many similar traits to the 2020 model.

The 2020 Sorento came with an optional V6 engine, whereas in the 2021 launch this engine is replaced by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. 

2020 Sorento has a streamlined interior, whereas 2021 has more customizable options. Also, the interior space in the current model is more than the previous one.

The 2020 Kia Sorento came with a 7-inch touch screen display, while in 2021, an 8-inch screen in made standard by the company.

Furthermore, the exterior of 2020 Sorento has a smaller base platform and more rounded design, whereas the 2021 design is all about a muscular & bolder look. 

What colors do Kia Sorento 2020 available?

The color of a vehicle plays as much role as any other feature in its sale. The exterior is what attracts the customers first, and the rest just follows behind.

Earlier there weren’t many options available in car exteriors, especially in the SUVs. However, with time and people’s interest in more stylish looks, the automakers now provide a wide range of colors.

The Kia Sorento is available in many top colors, and we have listed them below for you:

  • Sparkling Silver.
  • Snow White Pearl.
  • Everlasting Silver.
  • Gravity Gray.
  • Ebony Black.
  • Dragon Brown.
  • Sangria.
  • Imperial Blue.
Is there a 2022 Kia Sorento?

YES. Kia is all set to hit the American automobile market with its new Sorento model for the new model year.

The release date is not enclosed by the company yet, but it is anticipated that it will hit the dealerships around October this year.

Here we have the general specifications of the upcoming model 2022 Kia Sorento for you to take a look at.

  • MSRP: From $29,490
  • Towing capacity: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs
  • Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 191 to 281 hp
  • MPG: Up to 24 city / 29 highway
  • Cargo volume: 12.6 ft³, 75.5 ft³ with seat area
Is Kia Sorento a reliable vehicle?

Kia is a Korean automaker that is well known for its high reliability. The 2021 Kia Sorento is indeed a reliable ride as all the previous models of the lineup have shown amazing performance in the category.

The 2020 Kai Sorento holds a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA and IIHS. Kia Sorento 2021 is not yet rated by the two, but we do not doubt that it will pass with similar reliability scores.

Does Kia Sorento hold its value?

When we talk about a vehicle holding its value, it means its depreciation value. Some vehicle loses their market value way quicker than the others and vice versa.

The Kia Sorento has one of the lowest resale values. It loses about 61.5% of its original value in five years.

What is Kia Sorento 2021 price?

The all-new Kia Sorento 2021 comes with a starting price of $29,390 for the base model LX. However, for the highest level trim SX Prestige X-Line you need to pay around $42,590 as the starting price.

How efficient is the Kia Sorento?

The Kia Sorento can last up to 200,000 miles and sometimes even more. This means you can drive this ride for more than 10 yeast if it has about 15,000 annual miles on it.

What are the maintenance expenses of a Kia Sorento?

The maintenance expense on any vehicle depends on two factors. The first one is the maintenance directions instructed by the maker, and the second one is how well you keep your ride.

Kia Sorento has yearly car maintenance of about $533 in total, which is a cheaper price to maintain.

But if you are rough with your car and keep on damaging it every now & then, then it sure will cost you more to keep it in good shape.

Where Is the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento Built?

Kia builds the American favorite 2021 Sorento in the southeastern US state of Georgia.

Does Kia offer any warranty with the all-new Sorento?

To make the Sorento purchase ecstatic for the buyers, Kia covers the Sorento with a basic warranty of five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty of ten years or 100,000 miles.

Conclusion

If you want to own a ride that comes with good interior space but is simultaneously compact, then the 2021 Kia Sorento is an ideal ride for you.

2021 Kia Sorento has it all, the top tech & safety features, spacious interior, quality materials, and more. We hope this description helps you understand the model better. So what do you think of the 2021 Sorento?

Ritambra

Ritambra is an absolute car fanatic who loves the ultimate Porsche 911. It is her dream car she wishes to own someday. She has over four years of experience in automotive writing. She loves to explore new car launches, different car accessories, latest automobile technologies, find out the best purchases, and where can fellow car fanatics find the best buying deals. With her skillful writing and in-depth knowledge of the automotive industry, you will learn about the latest automotive trends, news, launches, car reviews, top automobile comparisons, car maintenance, usage advice, and more. Her writing is delightful, informative, and entertaining, even for casual readers. You will fall in love with cars with Ritambra's writing and unshakable passion for them.

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