Kia, the South Korean automaker that was initially scoffed at by car buyers, has had an incredible couple of decades, with constant growth throughout and a march toward respectability. I recently tested out one of their latest offerings, the 2017 Kia Sportage, and I’m back with a rundown of the key things you need to know about this crossover offering from the upstart automaker.
IT IS, IN FACT, SPORTY:
Many vehicles that label themselves as SUVs (sport utility vehicles) are anything but sporty. But thankfully that wasn’t the case here, as the 2017 Sportage is quite impressive in this regard. To be frank (and subliminally quote Shania Twain), most crossovers of this size don’t impress me much with how they perform. But this is one of the few exceptions to that rule in the class.
IT’S AFFORDABLE:
If you are on a budget and want an SUV with no frills, you can get a 2017 Sportage from $22,990. Even my test vehicle with all the frills came in at just over $33,000. These are very good numbers that will boost Sportage sales numbers as it competes in a segment against such crossover heavyweights as the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V.
THE REDESIGN IS BOLD, AND ISN’T FOR EVERYONE:
There is an extensive redesign of the exterior of the 2017 Sportage, and you’ll either love it or hate it. … Honestly, I felt differently about it day to day, but in the end I was mostly a fan of the design. One thing that will stand out is the unique look of the front headlights, which are unlike anything you’ve seen on other vehicles. The design may drive some away, but shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for most if you like how it drives.
SPACE IS PRETTY TIGHT, BUT IMPROVED:
List most compact SUVs, you’re going to have a bit of a tight squeeze in the Sportage, but the good news is the 2017 Sportage is a little bit better than the 2016 model in terms of space due to the redesign.
YOU GET A GREAT WARRANTY:
One thing Kia does well is offer a 10-year, 100K warranty on the powertrain; and a 5-year, 60K overall warranty. Translation: Peace of mind and less worrying for those who buy these vehicles.
STRONG SAFETY FEATURES:
Plenty of helpful safety features are offered on the Sportage (blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, etc.) that can help make the Sportage a vehicle you feel confident in when getting the family from place to place.
SOUPED-UP AUDIO OFFERED:
The Sportage SX model I tested featured a premium audio system from industry stalwart Harman Kardon that music lovers will truly enjoy.
PANORAMIC SUNROOF IS A STUNNER:
The panoramic sunroof, standard on the SX trim line and running the length of the roof, is a sharp look that stands out and enhances the overall attractiveness of the vehicle.
GAS MILEAGE DISAPPOINTS:
One of the tradeoffs of having such a fun, sporty ride on the Sportage is that fuel economy suffers compared to other crossovers that may not be as much fun to drive. Official numbers on my test vehicle were 21 city, 26 highway, and 23 combined, which are not impressive in the category. Crossover buyers will have to choose whether ride quality is more important than the mpg, or vice versa, and that will play a factor in whether they choose the Sportage or some of its rivals.
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