If you remember our posts on Twitter and Instagram, we spent some time this summer with the 2017 Kia Sportage SX AWD. Delivered to our door in Pacific Blue with black leather seats, the latest Sportage model has undergone some changes from the 2016 version. On the exterior, there are some noticeable differences to the front end. The funky look of the fog lights, which can also be seen in the 2017 Sorento, may take some getting used to for some people.
SX Turbo Specs:
Horsepower – FWD: 240 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Horsepower – AWD: 237 hp @ 6,000 rpm
EPA MPG, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) (City/Highway/Combined): 21/26/23
EPA MPG, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) (City/Highway/Combined): 20/23/21
Source: www.kia.com
While the face of the Sportage has a look that may not appeal to everyone’s taste, the rest of the exterior is quite easy on the eyes. I really enjoyed how the Pacific Blue color looked nice in various lighting due to the grayish tones. Other available color options are Mineral Silver, Snow White Pearl, Sparkling Silver, Burnished Copper, Hyper Red, and Black Cherry. Each color option has specific interior color options available.
Meanwhile, inside- the sporty look of the exterior is executed nicely thanks to the quality of materials used. The sleek black features with silver trim pair nicely with the standard leather seats and the added technology. It’s a simple sport set up, but many of the bells and whistles are there.
Our SX came fully loaded- with touch screen navigation, SiriusXM Radio, and rear camera display. Of course, can’t forget the Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports.
As for safety, the Sportage contains parking assist with rear and front sensors, blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, and the lane departure warning system. In fact, the 2017 Kia Sportage received the 2016 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ when equipped with their optional front crash prevention. Another reason we love the Kia family.
The dual moon roof was a nice addition and one of our favorite things about Kia- our kids especially love how spacious it makes the back feel. Thanks to Kia, I find myself wishing there was a dual moon roof in many of the cars we review.
The back was spacious for a sport sized vehicle. The slender look of the front seats keep the interior open and airy. Standard cupholders and storage behind the seats are must haves for little passengers, and the leather was easy to wipe down spills from our messy toddler.
As for cargo space, families will be happy with the given size. Fold the backseats down and you’ve got trips to Ikea covered.
Living in NYC without a car is possible- but being that the Bronx is the only borough connected to the mainland of New York State, we love having so much to explore. In just under two hours, we can be camping in the Catskills, swimming in the Poconos, or boating on a lake upstate. Having a crossover for a family of four is perfect for these little adventures, but still practical enough for city living.
Overall, we were quite pleased with the performance and features of the Sportage- but the front end style would probably make us lean more towards the Sorento in terms of style and size for our family. But the ride is smooth, the MPG is great, and the Harman/Kardon® Surround Sound system was impressive. And of course, knowing that safety is a top priority in the Kia vehicles is important for families. We have yet to test out a Kia vehicle that we didn’t like from their crossover and minivan selection, so I’d love to experience some of their sedans to see if we are equally impressed.
For more information, visit www.kia.com.