As Kia’s compact SUV enters its fourth generation, the Sportage gets a little pricier for the 2017 model year. It now starts at $23,885, including an $895 destination charge; that’s $840 more than the outgoing model’s base price.
The Sportage competes in a crowded class against the likes of the Honda CR-V ($24,645 base price), its corporate cousin Hyundai Tucson ($23,595) and the Toyota RAV4 ($25,250).
For the extra cash, buyers will get more vehicle, inside and out.
The new Sportage is a bit longer and offers more headroom, legroom and cargo space behind the second row. Kia also says it has addressed visibility issues with repositioned side mirrors, thinner A- and C-pillars and a larger rear window.
The 2017 Sportage has added soundproofing material and increased body rigidity through the use of high-strength steel, which Kia hopes will bump up the SUV’s lackluster safety ratings.
The Sportage also gets a sportier new exterior design, which in some respects resembles a toned-down Nissan Juke thanks to more-bulbous, protruding headlights.
Shapelier curves and defining creases, as well as a sloping roofline and swept-back appearance, all contribute to a more aggressive look.
Powertrains carry over to the returning trio of trim levels, with the LX and EX getting a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and the SX Turbo getting a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Sportage comes standard with LED running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, chrome window surrounds, rear privacy glass, a 5-inch touch-screen, a backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and three selectable driving modes including Normal, Eco and Sport.
The $1,100 LX Popular Package adds heated front seats and heated outside mirrors, a 10-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support and upgraded cloth seats.
The $900 LX Cool and Connected Package comes with dual-zone climate control and a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The uplevel EX trim with front-wheel drive starts at $26,395 with destination and adds leather seat trim, pushbutton start with a smart key, 18-inch wheels, fog lights and gloss-black exterior trim.
The $1,900 EX Premium Package further adds a heated steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, blind spot warning system with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and LED interior lighting.
For another $2,700, buyers can opt for the Technology Package, which comes with an 8-inch touch-screen, navigation, a premium stereo system, front and rear park assist, a power liftgate, lane-departure warning and front-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection and an eight-way power passenger seat.
The top-trim SX Turbo starts at $33,395 with destination and comes with the turbo 2.0-litre engine and is “fully loaded,” according to Kia.
Adding to the EX Technology Package, the SX Turbo has larger front brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, dual exhaust pipes, front and rear metal-look skid plates, a model-specific grille, bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, LED fog lights and taillights, gloss-black interior trim, metal pedals, a 4.2-inch LCD instrument cluster, a sport steering wheel and a stitched dashboard.
An all-wheel drive system with a 50/50 locking centre differential and torque vectoring is available on any trim for $1,500.
The 2017 Sportage is set to hit dealerships in 2016.
• Culled from www.cars.com