Kia is touting “vastly” improved driving dynamics, a stiffer and more spacious structure, world-class craftsmanship and contemporary design as part of the all-new 2017 Sportage.

The brand’s fourth generation Sportage features an aggressive front fascia with Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille sitting distinctly below two headlights that are position much as eyes would be on a face. Chrome accents made the model look anything but cheap while the top-of-the-line SX Turbo model adds new “ice cube” LED fog lamps, HID headlamps, LED tail lights, satin exterior trim, metal-look skid plates, metal transverse trim, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Sportage’s wheelbase has been stretched 1.2-inches for the fourth generation and its track has increased 1.6 inches.

Kia notes that the Sportage’s interior has gotten modern and refined touches. The infotainment and HVAC system are split in the driver-orientated cockpit with an upper and lower display zone. EX and SX Turbo models add sumptuous leather upholstery, and the SX Turbo includes a D-shaped, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, piano black trim along the center console, aluminum alloy pedals, and authentic stitching on the dashboard.

There is also more space for seating and storage inside the Sportage. Headroom has increased 0.2 inches to 39.3 inches in the front and 0.6 inches to 39.1 in the rear, while legroom has increased slightly in front and 0.3 inches in the rear to 38.2. The second row has a 1.6-inch lower interior floor (ground clearance is unchanged at 6.4 inches for front-drive models and 6.8 inches on AWD) and 1.2-inch lower rear bench hip point, benefitting second-row passengers with more headroom (up more than a half inch) and a more comfortable seating position. Second row cargo space has grown from 26.1 cu.-ft. to 30.7 cu.-ft. (SAE).

Additional interior features designed to make the ride more friendly include thinner A- and C-pillars, an available panoramic sunroof and additional sound-absorbent materials throughout the Sportage’s wheel arches.

The 2017 Kia Sportage will be available with a wide variety of driver assistance features including:

• Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, which can detect a potential collision with another vehicle or pedestrian and help bring the Sportage to a halt
• Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), which emits an audible alert when it detects the driver straying from the current lane without using a turn signal
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Lane Change Assist (LCA), which can monitor cars up to 230 feet behind the Sportage and provide the driver with a visual warning in the door mirror when another car enters the blind spot
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which can warn the driver if other cars pass behind the Sportage while in reverse
• Front & Rear Parking Assist, which uses sonar sensors integrated in the bumpers to warn the driver when nearing other vehicles or objects
• Bi-HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) and High Beam Assist (HBA) technology

 

The manufacturer is also offering new and advanced on-board technologies. The LX comes equipped with a standard 5.0-inch color touchscreen that features Bluetooth hands-free phone operation and streaming audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and rear-camera display1.  A move up to the EX brings a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with the latest version of Kia’s award-winning telematics and infotainment system, UVO3, which is making its debut on the all-new Sportage.  Complete with Android Auto5, Apple6 CarPlay (April availability), and UVO eServices7 featuring 14 telematics services, the enhanced system features up to 8 GB of music storage and access to Pandora.  SoundHound is accessible through a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.  The SX Turbo features all of the above, plus an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen and onboard navigation.

All Sportages come standard with a 160-watt six-speaker audio system. A powerful 320-watt Harman Kardon®premium audio system is also available and features eight speakers including subwoofer, an external amplifier, and Clari-FiTM9 music restoration technology for unrivalled audio quality.