If there’s one automotive that has captured my coronary heart in 2017, it’s the newly designed 2017 Kia Sportage.  For me, it’s the epitome of “luxurious wanting” sports activities SUV.  Lovely side-view traces, an aggressive , but elegant, entrance profile with the piercing Headlight lenses, and the attractive Tail Lights which give the phantasm that the automotive is in movement, even when parked.

I do know now we have all been discussing (with a lot shock) in regards to the renaissance of KIA within the current years.  We ask, as we stutter, “who? how? what the… when did a Automotive Design Prince kiss the ugly Kia frog and switch it from an earthly, boring pile of aluminum to an incredible magnificence with a placing stability of aggressive seems to be and magnificence?”

The 2017 Kia Sportage is an ideal instance.

NOW FOR THE NITTY GRITTY!

FRONT

Upon first look, you’re met with a entrance profile that exudes a presence and allows you to know “I’m right here!”  The now-familiar Kia entrance grille, flanked by the headlights with the piercing lenses, lets you already know that this isn’t simply an abnormal Crossover SUV. 

There’s a important distance between the bottom and the headlights (marked with the yellow arrow), which makes the bumper and grille look very cumbersome, however it works.  Jogs my memory of an alligator gazing you!  It additionally helps shield the attractive headlights throughout a minor-to-mid drive entrance collision.

One awkward space is the foglight space (circled in yellow):  They appear pleased with the precise fog lights that include the upper trim fashions, however the low trims haven’t any fog lights.  That area is simply clean, sitting on the bumper, begging NOT to be observed.

LIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS

Little question, probably the greatest parts of the 2017 Kia Sportage.  The spherical lenses, together with the refined sign lights, whereas spectacular on their very own, are given extra prominence by the fiberglass-looking enclosure.  If solely Kia added the phrases “Sportage” on the facet (marked with the arrow), they are going to be ranked up excessive with coolness with headlights of BMWs, Maseratis and the likes.

TAIL LIGHTS

The tail lights are equally thrilling, carrying over to the facet panels, a pattern which was impressed upon the general public by the Kia Optima.  The Sportage seems to be prefer it’s in movement, even when parked.  Once more, just like the headlights, with regards to classiness, the Tail Gentle is a detailed match to a high-end luxurious vehicle such because the Porsche or the Jaguar SUVs.

FOG LIGHTS

Three trims (LX, EX and SX): 2 of them look good with the lights and the accent traces beneath the lights (EX and SX).  The LX is the awkward wanting space talked about above. (Okay, fantastic, it doesn’t look as awkward on the black coloration Sportage… however solely on black!).  The SX has the 4-light-foglight (that exists on different Kia SX trims, such because the Optima)  that appear like they’ll gentle up a baseball area. 

SIDE

The facet view profile of the 2017 Kia Sportage is streamlined, with refined chrome accents and the piece above the again windshield.  The rear home windows finish in additional of a rectangle, giving the impression of a roomy inside.

BACK

The again define of the 2017 Kia Sportage mimics the entrance, with the slender high, and the broad panels.  The Tail Lights are unfold aside with a long way, offering an amply sized stage for the Kia emblem to shine.

Every part seems to be good, EXCEPT!!! A query right here for KIA: What’s the cope with the center, pink, tacky plastic piece between the Tail Lights (circled in yellow)? That piece has Bought To Go!

There’s a model with a chrome piece protecting a part of it, which really seems to be a lot nicer.  KIA, do us a favor and embrace that chrome piece on all trims.

INTERIOR

Very sporty!  Heaps to love right here; too many to elaborate individually, however, right here’s a listing of some:

1. Sporty steering wheel, with the hole “U” form on the backside giving it a kick-up-a-notch
2. Good huge display (after all, with the navigation bundle).  Could wish to test if they’ve a model with simply Android Auto or Apply CarPlay (7″ display?)
3. Nice lighting of the dashboard at midnight
4. Seats look nice with the sporty stitching
5. Greater trims include the twin coloration inside (not loopy in regards to the tan coloration)

DISLIKES

Thankfully, not a lot.  There are (solely) 2 dislikes: the primary is only a nuisance; the second is an enormous disappointment!

The First, the nuisance: the knobs for the Quantity and Tune are tiny.  Alright, no huge deal, therefore it’s only a nuisance.

The Second… must pause right here and shake my head with disappointment.  It’s not JUST on the ’17 Sportage; Kia appears to be shifting backward in time with regards to this aspect of the instrument cluster.  I’m speaking in regards to the gas and temperature gauges.  Whereas the older fashions have been sq. lights, which seemed very cool, the brand new fashions appear to be going again to the tacky pink dials, which cheapen the instrument cluster and make it appear like an previous (and even new) Ford.  Come on, Kia… It’s a must to return to the lights!

IN CONCLUSION

General, the 2017 Sportage is an enormous win for Kia; nice design, nice drive, superior expertise, and a Strong 9.75 out of 10 in my e-book!