Everywhere you look in the auto industry, prices are moving on up, moving on up. But in the case of the 2021 Kia Sorento, this isn’t a bad thing. The minimal price increase increases all of the extra value Kia added to this three-row SUV. 

The 2021 Kia Sorento just got more expensive 

First of all, only the base model of the new Kia Sorento has a price increase. All of the other trim levels remain the same price. So if you were going for an upgraded trim, your wallet doesn’t have to be scared. 

Also, the price increase covers the new features, power, and attitude that the 2021 model now has to offer. The old look of the Kia Sorento had minivan vibes.

Which is fine, we aren’t hating on minivans, but the Sorento is an SUV! Now it looks like a confident off-roader and shed any confusion people might have about it being a minivan. 

According to The Car Connection, the 2021 Kia Sorento has an MSRP of $29,390. Meanwhile, the 2020 Kia Sorento has an MSRP of $26,990. So, yeah, that’s a pretty significant price increase to go from drab to fab. 

However, the Honda Pilot has an MSRP of $32,250, and the Hyundai Palisade begins around $32,525. Also, the Toyota Highlander starts around $34,810. This shows that the Kia Sorento still costs less than the competition that it’s now better able to compete against. 

What’s new for the Kia Sorento? 

Along with a new bad to the bone look, the Kia Sorento got a little bigger. It now has a longer wheelbase to provide more legroom and headspace for passengers, especially in the third row. It’s noticeably bigger than the compact Kia Seltos. 

Also, the 2021 Sorento got more power with a new 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that pumps out 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5-liter turbo engine increases the power to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the 1.6-liter turbo hybrid engine pumps out 277 combined hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. 

If you want the Sorento for adventuring, be sure to add all-wheel drive for about $1,800. That is expensive, but the adaptive AWD constantly monitors road conditions to distribute power accordingly for optimal traction and control. Plus, torque vectoring cornering control and hill start assist are included. 

New 2021 Kia Sorento Features 

The Kia Sorento comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and six USB ports. You can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly and send texts via voice command. 

Plus, the Sorento will be safe. While it hasn’t been officially tested yet, driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and a driver attention monitor. 

The blind spot monitor provides a heads up view on the dash, and a 360 surround-view monitor will help you steer clear of obstacles. While backing up, the rear-cross traffic alert can also help you avoid accidents. 

So, while the price increase may seem pretty large, the 2021 Kia Sorento is actually a bargain against competitors with the power, comfort, and capabilities it provides. We can’t wait for more specs to be released.