![]() There’s only one transmission in the Sportage, and it’s a 6-speed automatic. It’s not quick off the line and takes time to build some boost before the power comes on. ![]() The turbo engine is nice when you’re moving, but the small displacement unit really could use some hybrid assistance. But yikes, this model gets only 20 MPG city and 23 on the highway, because the Sportage SX with AWD weighs in at a chunky 3,997 pounds, or 3,898 pounds with FWD. If you buy the top-level SX trim, the new Sportage comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine good for 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That’s disappointing, but if you want fuel economy, you should buy one of the hybrid compact crossovers on the market. Speaking of which, there’s a hybrid-shaped hole in Kia’s Sportage line, which they will shortly fill with the upcoming 2017 Niro subcompact crossover. Upgrade to AWD and fuel economy drops to 21 city and 25 highway. This engine returns 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway in base trim with front wheel drive. The base engine, mandatory on the starter LX and mid-level EX trims, is a normally aspirated 2.4-liter 4-cylinder rated at 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The 2017 Sportage is available with two engines. Yeah, you won’t get wood trim, but is that really worth the extra cash? The majority of the cabin is just as nice as anything from across the pond. The Kia brings at least as much real quality to the interior as European crossovers, especially if you spring for the plussed-up EX or SX trim levels with leather upholstery. You won’t feel like you bought an economy model with this vehicle. The Sportage also features quality materials throughout. It’s not so extreme that the passenger can’t use it, but for the bulk of the time when the primary driver is alone in the car, it’s a nice touch. The center stack is slightly angled towards the driver in a way that makes clear that the navigation (if so equipped) and audio system is for the boss. The other thing you’ll notice as you slide into that bigger interior is that Kia has also brought its design chops to the Sportage. There’s a hybrid-shaped hole in Kia’s Sportage line, which they should fill sooner rather than later. Slide the shade out of the way and you’ll feel like there’s nothing but sky above you. The appearance of space is also enhanced by the new panoramic glass sunroof, which is over four inches longer than the old model. The important thing to know is that taller people will have no trouble getting comfortable in the Sportage. You get about one-third of an inch more headroom in front, but in the rear, you get a lower floor and seat level, plus something over a half-inch more headroom. Not a tremendous amount, but enough that you’ll notice. ![]() The 2017 Sportage offers a little more interior space than the outgoing model. Throw in the big 19-inch wheels and the new Sportage is a handsome beast. The rest of the body is smooth curves that work together to make the little Kia look ready for action. You also get some nifty LED driving lights on all trim levels and headlights that wrap around halfway to the windshield. You still get a rear bumper, but it’s vestigial and doesn’t spoil the car’s looks. That’s a win, because bumpers have been ugly since the middle 1970s when the government decreed that bumpers should actually protect the car and its occupants. The main thing to note is that the bumpers have been smoothed into the front end so smoothly that it looks like there’s no bumper there at all. The new design is just a little bit bold, which means it’s up to date, but not a comic book caricature that an adult would be embarrassed to drive. Over the past several years, Schreyer’s team has given the whole Kia line a new look, and that now extends to the Sportage. Kia is very proud to have nabbed ace designer Peter Schreyer away from VW/Audi. The list of updates for 2017 includes important updates to the interior, exterior, and mechanical systems, and a wide variety of available technology packages. Kia has been selling the Sportage since 1993, and the new model represents the fourth generation of development. The 2017 Kia Sportage has a natural advantage at this point because Kia has built their reputation on solid, affordable vehicles that are fun to drive. That’s good news for consumers, because it means everyone’s going to bring their A-game, and competition on both price and features will be fierce. Now that compact SUVs have become the largest selling class of car in the United States, it’s absolutely critical for automaker to offer a strong contender.
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