As one of the cars that helped Kia achieve global success, the Sportage among the more popular vehicles in the Korean brand’s line-up. Given the success of this crossover, it comes as no surprise that the current-gen Sportage does not change much of the formula. After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Exterior
The exterior design of the second-generation Kia Sportage is nicely done, it looks aggressive but not too extreme or intimidating. Differences in the trim (grille color, window trim, and door handles) will serve as subtle indicators of the model trim level. Optional exterior items such as Bi-Xenon HID lights and LED fog lights further distinguish the basic from fully-loaded variants.
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Interior
The interior of the 2017 Kia Sportage is generally well-made. The ergonomics are mostly solid, except for the placement of the cup holder near with the gear lever. Both the front and rear passenger compartments are roomy and comfortable. Great visibility and a well-sorted touchscreen more than make up for the abundance of cheap materials used around the cabin.
Features
The Kia Sportage comes with a wide range of standard safety features such as multiple airbags, ABS, 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and other electronic driving aids. Completing the basic package are Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel.
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Specs
There are 3 engine options available for the 2017 Sportage, with the smallest of the lot being a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter 4-cylinder unit that churns out 130 horsepower and 161 Nm of torque. The next step up is a 2.0-liter engine that pushes out 155 horsepower, while the 2.4-liter with 181 horsepower is the punchiest of the lot. A 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting function is standard for all engine options. On standard trim, the Sportage sends its power to the front wheels, but 4-wheel drive comes as optional in the higher trim options.
Verdict
The 2017 Kia Sportage is one of the better options you have in the highly competitive compact SUV market. With this car, Kia has managed to turn an already great car into an even better one.
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