Compare 2017 Kia Sportage vs 2016 Kia Sportage

2017 Kia Sportage vs 2016 Kia Sportage

Serving St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Largo

Under normal circumstances, the compact SUV possesses the right features to handle an average-sized family and their freight. When the situation calls for it, though, they’ll easily reconfigure to become capable cargo couriers. In this role, they add an extra measure of vertical space that sedans just can’t match. The Kia Sportage has gained a substantial following in this niche as a result of its superb features combined with its reasonable price tag. With a whole new design for 2017 that complements the existing 2016 edition, buyers have even more reason to give this vehicle a closer inspection.

Performance

The 2017 model year Sportage continues to rely on the same pair of engines offered in the 2016 Sportage, but they have undergone a bit of tweaking. The basic, economical 2.4 liter 4-cylinder available in 2016 models puts out 182 horsepower while providing 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. With the inclusion of all-wheel drive, this falls slightly to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg country. For more power, a 2 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is available that generates 260 horses giving 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. All-wheel drive brings this down to 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. A single 6-speed automatic transmission is partnered with either engine. This same transmission comes with both engines in the 2017 Sportage. The 2.4 liter motor only loses one point off its horsepower in exchange for an enjoyable 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The 2 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder offers 240 horsepower while supplying 21 mpg city and 26 mpg country. Opting for all-wheel drive lowers mileage to 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for the 2.4 liter machine while the 2 liter engine declines to 20 mpg city and 23 mpg country.

Design

Maintaining roughly the same silhouette, the 2017 Kia Sportage presents perpendicular lines across its nose that noticeably diverge from the sharp angles characterizing the grille and headlights of the 2016 version. The 2017 Sportage also gains volume by lengthening an inch and a half beyond the 2016 edition to 14 feet-8.4 inches. This expansion helps contribute to modest increases in headroom and legroom in both first and second tier seats along with an extra 4.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Numerically, the 2017 version includes seven exterior colors, such as burnished copper, instead of five available on the 2016 Sportage. But the 2016 model exclusively includes bright silver and twilight blue.

Safety

The Sportage has established itself as a top safety pick in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests for both the 2016 and 2017 model years. The 2016 version has also grabbed a five-star score from the NHTSA, so the 2017 model can be expected to achieve the same when it’s tested. Along with solid construction, both versions include airbags, antilock brakes, traction and stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. The 2016 year also includes a rear view camera option while the 2017 model offers front collision and blind spot warnings among other features.

Now provides a perfect time for buying a Kia Sportage. To get the full feel of how these two Sportage options distinguish themselves, stop by our dealership in St. Petersburg for a test drive.

* EPA estimated MPG may vary by transmission, trim and individual driving behavior.