“I love the appearance of my model with black, 20 inch wheels. Front and rear looks very modern. The driver assistance equipment is great. Rear storage is very good.”
2021 Kia Sorento: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Kia Sorento is a full redesign and the first year of its fourth generation. The headline change is Kia's new N3 platform, which gives this three-row SUV a longer wheelbase and more passenger and cargo room.
About the 2021 Kia Sorento
4th generation, first year, all-new redesign.
Kia positions the Sorento as a stylish, more premium-feeling three-row SUV for families who want occasional third-row flexibility without moving up to a larger vehicle like the Telluride. The core appeal is its mix of usable family space, upscale-looking cabin design, strong safety content, and a wide spread of powertrains from basic gas to hybrid. Against rivals, Sorento stands out by combining compact-ish size with a genuine third row and unusually rich tech and comfort features for the class.
The LX is the straightforward seven-seat family version, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the core safety suite. EX adds everyday comforts and uses either the stronger turbo engine or the new hybrid system, while SX brings a 10.25-inch navigation screen, a panoramic sunroof, and second-row captain's chairs. SX-Prestige adds leather, digital gauges, richer audio, and extra cameras; its X-Line version pairs those features with standard AWD, a raised ride height, and tougher exterior trim.
What changed, by category
Structural
The Sorento moves to Kia's new N3 platform with a longer wheelbase, a larger body, and more passenger and cargo room.
Powertrain
Gas models replace the previous engines with a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The first Sorento Hybrid also joins the range in S and EX form with 227 hp, while the plug-in hybrid does not arrive until 2022.
Styling
Kia redesigns the body and cabin. The former L trim name becomes SX-Prestige X-Line, with standard AWD, a raised ride height, unique bumpers, and a tougher-looking exterior treatment.
Safety
Standard driver assistance expands across the lineup to include forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and a rear occupant alert.
Tech
The redesigned LX starts with an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX adds a 10.25-inch navigation screen, while the newly added SX-Prestige brings a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, Bose audio, and surround-view and blind-view camera systems.
2021 Kia Sorento specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD / FWD | AWD / FWD | FWD | AWD | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 24–39 mpg | 22–39 mpg | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29–35 mpg | 29–35 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 191–227 hp | 227–281 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp |
| Torque | 181–195 lb-ft | 195–311 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000–3500 lb | 2000 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Traction Control | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2021 Kia Sorento fully redesigned?
Yes. The 2021 Kia Sorento begins the model's fourth generation on Kia's new N3 platform, with a longer wheelbase, a redesigned body and cabin, and more passenger and cargo room.
How is the 2021 Kia Sorento different from the 2020 model?
The 2021 Sorento is a ground-up redesign rather than a light update. It replaces the previous engines with new 2.5-liter gas engines, adds the Sorento's first hybrid system, expands standard safety equipment, and introduces a roomier body and cabin.
Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have a hybrid version?
Yes. The 2021 model year introduces the first Sorento Hybrid, pairing a 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine with an electric motor for 227 hp in S and EX trims.
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento a plug-in hybrid?
No. The 2021 Sorento has a conventional hybrid, but the plug-in hybrid does not join the U.S. lineup until the 2022 model year.
What is different about the 2021 Sorento SX-Prestige X-Line?
The 2021 SX-Prestige X-Line combines the top trim's leather, digital gauges, premium audio, and camera systems with standard AWD, extra ground clearance, unique bumpers, a center-locking differential, and Snow mode.
2021 Kia Sorento Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Sorento.
4.2
2021 Kia Sorento
(152 reviews)
“Both interior and exterior styling are top notch. Friends are impressed with amenities and driving performance.”
“I think it's great value. It has a lot of features available in high end cars however the transmission is not amazing and you do end up feeling like it should be more responsive upon acceleration.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento / 2021
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Hev / 2021
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 15495 / Whats New 2020 Sorento
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2022 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Hev / 2022
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Phev / 2022
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2021 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2021 / Specifications
- kiamedia.com — Sorento Hev / 2021 / Features