The recently-updated 2017 Kia Sportage just went on sale in the US. This all-new Sportage comes with a new technology that’s becoming a “must have” in the ever-competitive compact crossover segment. Competing with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and even the Chevy Equinox, the 2017 Kia Sportage enters a very competitive segment with many intriguing options.
What new is new for 2017 that sets the Kia Sportage apart from the rest of the crowd? The 2017 Sportage marks the fourth generation of the Korean crossover and it comes with a load of improvements to both the chassis and the interior. Drivetrain improvements include two engine options, both of which are from the previous generation but feature much better performance.
First is the 2.4 liter I4 which makes a reasonable 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps more interesting is the 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo GDI motor which produces 237 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque. In addition to these newly improved engines, the Kia sports both a front wheel drive system and an optional Dynamax AWD system which our very own Andre Smirnov had a chance to test in the Rocky Mountains.
Andre also had a chance to talk with Orth Hedrick, VP Product Planning Kia Motors North America, and learned about the convenience features new to the Kia Sportage. Other improvements include substantial refinement to the interior including optional Nappa leather seats and an available 8-inch high resolution touch screen display. In addition the new Sportage also adds a new smart tailgate and the eight-speaker, 320 watt, Harmon-Kardon speaker system.
To find out even more about the all-new compact Korean crossover, check out everything you ever wanted to know about the 2017 Kia Sportage below:
| 2017 KIA SPORTAGE SPECS | |||
| Trims | LX | EX | SX Turbo |
| MSRP | $22,990 (FWD) / $25,500 (AWD) | $24,490 (FWD) / $27,000 (AWD) | $32,500 (FWD) / $34,000 (AWD) |
| Engine | 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection I4 | 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Power | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 240 hp @ 6000 rpm (FWD) |
| 237 hp @ 6000 rpm (AWD) | |||
| Torque | 175 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 175 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 1450 – 3500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Curb weight | 3,305 – 3,596 lbs. (FWD) | 3,305 – 3,596 lbs. (FWD) | 3,666 – 3,899 lbs. (FWD) |
| 3,448 – 3,739 lbs. (AWD) | 3,448 – 3,739 lbs. (AWD) | 3,765 – 3,997 lbs. (AWD) | |
| Estimated fuel economy (city/hwy/combined mpg) | 23 / 30 / 26 (FWD) | 23 / 29 / 25 (FWD) | 21 / 26 23 (FWD) |
| 21 / 25 / 22 (AWD) | 21 / 25 / 22 (AWD) | 20 / 23 / 21 (AWD) | |
