2017 Kia Sportage

The Redesigned 2017 Sportage is the New, Old Kid on the Block

Aggressively redesigned for the 2017 edition, the Kia Sportage is what happens when an automaker goes out of its way to inject new life into the lucrative compact crossover segment. It's both stylish and sturdy, and is out to leave its mark on the growing crossover market.

Check out the current special on the Kia Sportage at Dorschel Kia

2017 Kia Sportage

It's not often you do a double take for a Kia - sure they're solid vehicles from top to bottom, but one would never classify them as visual standouts.

But then the 2017 Sportage rolls in and throws that notion right out the window.

A Quiet, Turbo, Compact Crossover

The new Sportage has been designed to compete with the heavy hitters in the compact crossover market - the popular Honda's CR-V and Toyota Rav4 to name a couple. To do this, Kia went for broke, especially on the 2017 Sportage's visual appeal.  

The body structure is both lighter and stronger, and Kia's signature "tiger-nose" grille is more pronounced with swept-back headlights placed above a side vent/light combo that looks expensive and futuristic at the same time.

The 2017 Sportage gets a sportier stance as well, the effect of pushing the wheels farther out to the corners with the sides being more deeply sculpted. And the upright rear pillars have been re-proportioned for a squatter, more substantial feel. It also helps the CUV is a little larger overall with an extra 1.6 inches in length and a wheelbase that's gained 1.2 inches. It may not seem like much, but the way Kia utilized those extra inches really counts.

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We see a few trim options this time around, with the choice between the sport edition, SX, and the base models EX and LX.

The LX and EX trims get a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that spins out 181-hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo model gets a heftier turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that cranks out 240-hp and 260 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

It also gets a revised steering rack and suspension, with more front-suspension bushings and stiffer mounts, and the multi-link rear suspension now has dual lower arms - all of which is a technical way to say it offers a sportier drive feel without sacrificing ride comfort.

A Unique Compact Experience

Kia also didn't shy away from the finishing touches, with 7- and 8-inch infotainment systems including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto telematics systems (emergency assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and such) that are app-based and rely on your smartphone's data connection. It includes amenities like remote keyless entry, a rear camera system, and Bluetooth hands-free calling, and a host of other upgrades both technical and aesthetic.

The 2016 Kia Sportage is certainly a visual standout of the crossover crowd. And with all the effort Kia put into every other aspect of its redesigned SUV, we expect it to really make an impact on its competition.