Kia Sorento Prices up by as Much as $2,400 in 2021

When the rugged Kia Telluride proved to be a success for Kia, it was only a matter of time before the automaker announced another model sporting the same treatment. True enough, it introduced the 2021 Kia Sorento with roughly the same styling as its corporate sibling.

But looks are not the only factor at play here. Retail price is also crucial when it comes to marketability. And Kia knows this too well that when it announced an increase in the new Sorento’s price, it made sure it’s justified by a bundle of new features.

For the 2021 model year, the Kia Sorento will have a starting price of $30,560, including the $1,170 mandatory destination charge. It’s an increase of around $2,400, especially when the all-wheel-drive setup (an extra $1,800) is added to the package.

This increase, however, is inevitable for Kia, considering that it is dropping the entry-level Sorento L trim off the lineup. It means a $26,000 option will no longer be available to interested buyers in the coming model year.

In place of the L trim, the LX variant, for a $30,560 price tag, will be the new base model and host of accessories previously not available in the L trim.

Aside from the changes involving the Sorento L and LX, other variants of the SUV will be reshuffled too. Next to the LX model in the lineup will be the Sorento S at $33,060, then the EX trim at $36,160. The EX will be powered by a new 2.5-liter turbo-four engine that delivers up to 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

Following the EX on the list is the SX trim with a $39,160 price tag. The SX Prestige tops the range at $41,760, complete with premium tech and features. For customers who prefer a rugged crossover, Kia is offering the Sorento X-Line package, which can be added to the SX Prestige for a total cost of $43,760.

Among the powertrain options available for the Sorento is a new 1.6-liter turbo-four hybrid engine that promises up to 620 miles on a full tank. It delivers 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque for a starting price of $34,760 when equipped in the S trim. For a hybrid-powered EX variant, the price goes up to $37,760.

Kia is reportedly getting ready to ship out the first batch of 2021 Sorento units to dealerships in the United States. These crossovers are expected to go on sale very soon.