Once the bargain choice among compact crossovers but now far more refined, the 2021 Kia Sportage offers a smooth ride, comfortable interior, and loads of standard features at a very competitive starting price.
A choice of two engines power the Sportage: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four, both operated via a 6-speed automatic transmission. The base, 181-horsepower engine is perfectly adequate and returns better fuel economy, but the turbo’s 240 horsepower certainly provides plenty of get-up and go. Front-wheel drive is the standard setup, with all-wheel drive available for $1,500.
The interior of the 2021 Kia Sportage is comfortable and well made, with supportive front seats and reclining rear seats. There’s good space, though headroom takes a hit when you order the sunroof. Cargo space isn’t great compared to its competitors, however, with 30.7 cubic feet expanding to 60.1 cubes with the seats folded. The Sportage can tow 2,000 pounds.
One area where the Sportage shines is standard equipment, with air-conditioning, different driving modes, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB port. A roster of active safety features includes forward-collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assistance. On the safety front, the 2021 Sportage earned a perfect 5-star NHTSA rating. Every 2021 Sportage includes a class-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Four Trim Levels
The base LX trim 2021 Kia Sportage is well equipped. In addition to the previously mentioned features, there’s a split-level cargo floor, 6-speaker/160-watt audio system, and automatic high beams. The front-drive LX starts at $23,990, with $1,500 added if you choose AWD.
Next is the S (our recommendation) with features like blind-spot monitoring, 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and synthetic leather upholstery in place of cloth. Above that is the EX with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more goodies. The EX ($28,410) is also eligible for the Technology Package, but at $4,650 it might make sense just to go for the SX Turbo, which starts at $34,770. To all prices add a $1,120 destination fee. For some reason, AWD (normally $1,500) costs $1,700 on the S.
Our choice would be to skip the entry-level LX and go for the S. Unless you really need the acceleration of the turbo, we find the base 4-cylinder perfectly adequate. The S starts at $26,590 and adds a strong roster of additional features.
Here’s the Complete Rundown on 2021 Kia Sportage Trims and Prices:
2021 Kia Sportage LX: $24,090-$25,590
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Air conditioning
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Forward-collision mitigation
- Lane-keeping assistance
2021 Kia Sportage S: $26,590-$28,290
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Roof rails
2021 Kia Sportage EX: $27,390-$28,890
- 10-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Keyless entry/ignition
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
2021 Kia Sportage SX Turbo: $33,750-$35,250
- Turbocharged 240-hp engine
- Sport suspension
- Paddle shifters
- Panoramic sunroof
- Leather seats
- Heated/ventilated front seats with 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Navigation/satellite radio
Ready to buy a 2021 Kia Sportage? Shop for one on sale now near you.
