Sorento

Make
Kia
Segment
SUV

The completely redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento is on its way to dealerships nationwide and it's a marked design departure from its immediate predecessor. The new Sorento adopts many Telluride-like styling cues for a more off-road-like attitude. Its interior also represents a significant upgrade than before. However, this redesign does come at a price, literally.

Kia has released official pricing for the 2021 Sorento, revealing it'll carry a substantially higher starting price than last year, but there are some good reasons why. The 2021 Sorento LX will begin at $29,390 excluding a $1,170 destination, a $2,450 increase than last year's $28,110 MSRP including destination. However, Kia has eliminated the entry-level L trim which carried that lower starting point.

The LX has become the new base model and, compared to the 2020 LX, it's actually only a $1,350 increase. Compared to the base Telluride, the 2021 Sorento LX is still $2,600 less.

Although base Sorentos now cost a bit more, higher trims have actually decreased in price. The 2021 Sorento S has an MSRP of $31,890, a $1,250 drop, but there's one catch: this trim no longer comes with the more powerful 3.3-liter turbo V6 rated at 290 horsepower. Instead, owners will have to settle for the 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 ponies on tap.

And then there's the Sorento EX. Beginning at $34,990 ex. destination, the new EX represents a $450 decrease than before and in terms of overall value, it sounds like the winning trim because buyers can get the available 2.5-liter turbo-four with a healthy 281 hp and paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new Sorento SX is now $2,050 cheaper than last year as well.

Also, the Sorento can be had with the SX Appearance Package for $41,760 and the Prestige X-Line, with standard all-wheel-drive, ships for $42,590. Even though the base Sorento is pricier than before, we think buyers are actually receiving a better overall value because the vehicle is built on an all-new, lighter platform. Plus, the variety of options are quite attractive, among them a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and several driver-assist features.

The 2021 Sorento is simply a better, more premium vehicle than its predecessor in every way and the price increase likely won't deter sales.