KiaSorento2021Overview/kia/sorento/2021/base/

2021 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Sorento.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S8)

The 2021 Kia Sorento, equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission (AM-S8) and requiring 5.0 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026, the highest number of complaints occurred in 2011 (1,516) and the lowest in 2010 (3), placing the 2021 model year in a lineage that has experienced both notable peaks and troughs in reported issues.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire size235/60R18 103HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3825 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2021 SX Prestige X-Line
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021SX Prestige X-Line 2.5L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec281 hpAWD
2021SX Prestige X-Line 2.5L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec281 hpAWD
2021SX 2.5L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.80 sec281 hpAWD
2021Hybrid EX 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh7.20 sec15.60 sec227 hpFWD
2021Hybrid EX 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh8.40 sec16.40 sec227 hpFWD
2021SX Prestige X-Line 2.5L Turbo I-48.90 sec16.70 sec281 hpAWD
2022SX 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.60 sec281 hpAWD
2022Hybrid EX 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.30 sec15.50 sec227 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.3 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-85
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: 36.0-51.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap0.027-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPOE
RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 48

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque27.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque72.0-87.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad ThicknessDisc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002"
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0019
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .709

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
185.0-89.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68-72°85–89 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 113-117°49–52 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94°, Step 3: 110-114°24–27 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0-45.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100-104°, Step 3: 100-104°42–45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 42,000 mi; coolant every 36,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 36,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 4,800 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
Every 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 19,200 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
At 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 36,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 42,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V519000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 08/07/2021

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer…

22V703000Trailer HitchesReported 19/09/2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as… Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Sorento take?

5.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sorento get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.