The 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo FWD – It’s all about the details.

Each time we buckled into the 2017 Kia Sportage during the week we were testing it out, the kids squealed, “Make it go whee, Mommy!” Before you judge, I assure you I am a safe driver, but it was fun to feel the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine surge on the interstate acceleration lane. Although the 0-60mph is a modest 6.7 seconds, you can definitely feel the “go” of the turbo as it pushes you back in your upscale leather seat. Whether it’s the engine, the styling of the exterior or the convenience and comfort of the interior, the 2017 Kia Sportage’s focus is all about the details.

 

Exterior

At first sight the front end of the Kia Sportage tends to look a little odd, almost cartoonish. It’s short and chunky with odd proportions, but the more you look at it, the more it grows on you like a pug puppy and curiously becomes more cute than goofy looking. Then, as you continue to stare, incredible details start popping out at you adding to the car’s style and design. Take for instance the LED fog lights–they are definitely unique and even a bit artistic. After driving the 2017 Kia Sportage for our test week, I really had to look hard to see its odd nose beyond all of the beautiful details.

Interior

8″ navigation screen, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel…I could just list the amenities you’ll find in the 2017 Kia Sportage, but there were a few details we especially liked. The panoramic sunroof is amazing. Seriously. it’s huge! Much like we’ve found in other Kia models, the back seat is wide and handles a toddler seat and a booster-seat-with-back while still leaving room for my 11-year-old. Along with a comfortable, classy interior cabin space, we found ample cargo space, coming in just shy of the amount of cargo room we found in the Mazda CX-5. The back seat also folds flat easily. All of these are important details to those looking for their next family car.

 

Safety

Speaking of family, we all know safety comes first. The 2017 Kia Sportage is chalked full of features helping make your drive safer. Feel more confident backing up with the rear camera and rear cross traffic alert. Drive with more confidence knowing you have the added safety of blind spot detection, a lane departure warning system and autonomous emergency braking. All details to help enhance your safe driving habits.

Cons

With the redesign of this model came extra weight, resulting in lost horsepower. The fuel economy also is pretty poor at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway comparing again to the Mazda CX-5’s 26 city/35 highway.

Review

As I said in the beginning, this car is fun to drive. I came to like the odd-looking nose and it was easy to look past with the other exterior styling and upscale interior features.  We were all excited to take it on our next adventure, but truly, the details are what keeps the 2017 Kia Sportage attractive among other favorites in the compact-crossover segment.