> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.roadblazing.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD - Quick Review - URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-kia-sportage-sx-turbo-awd-quick-review/ - Published: 2016-10-11T21:24:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-01T07:07:12.000Z - Author: George Straton - Tags: Crossover Utility Vehicles (Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell, Women With Wheels.com) When you're hot, you're hot. Korean brand Kia is currently sizzling. Last year it sold 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. alone. That represented a nearly 8% increase over previous year sales. As a carmaker which ditched lot of its econobox product in the past decade, it's no surprise that not a single Kia product is a dominant seller in any single market segment. Despite having double duties at sister carmaker Hyundai, Design Chief Peter Schreyer has a cleaner slate with the younger Kia brand, successfully infusing cutting edge trends with classic lines. ### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** *WHAT:* **2017 Kia Sportage SX-T AWD** 2-Row compact Crossover Utility Vehicle. It's the wilder cousin to **Hyundai's Tuscon**. Standard Power: transverse 2.4L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 181 hp/ 175 lb-ft + 6-spd. torque converter planetary automatic transaxle. OPTIONAL: 2.0L DOHC 16V DI intercooled turbocharged gas I-4 = 240 hp/ 260 lb-ft **+** upgraded 6-speed automatic. ![2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-ext-dusk001.jpg) 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle *WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE:* Mimicking toned human muscles Sportage sports bulges; Exaggerated fender arching emphasized by long HID lighting housings ; Hood = deep valley; Front fascia corner quad LED fog lights; Front & rear lower matte aluminum pseudo skid plates; Concave door panels feed rising cheat line contrasting with sharp raked roof line finished with spoiler; Stunted D-pillar = near "Floating Roof"; Belt line taps liftgate mid-section, Thin taillamp housing connected by metallic wisp conveys width; Twin chrome exhaust tips; *WHY*: A gutsy compact CUV value intentionally bearing more than a passing resemblance *to something from *Zuffenhausen*.* *WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Spring 2016 *WHERE:* Kia new vehicle dealers *WHERE MADE*: Ulsan , South Korea *WHERE TO:* Optional Magna multi-plate wet clutch, open differential all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from 100/0% - lockable at maximum 50/50%, with ABS descent control. < 7" clearance = dirt road but not gully capable; *HOW ROADWORTHY:* 2.0L turbocharged DOHC DI gas 4-cylinder has get up and go; 6-speed planetary automatic carries over, at times hiccuping over boost lag; Quicker rebound dampers quell pitch; Sprung soft allows lean & plow; Electric steering exhibits meaningful heft, yet intervals of response vagueness persist; Brake bite arrives late with abrupt pedal travel; Gas Engine clatter?; Cabin is muted to road noise; wing mirror wind whistle begins near triple digits. *HOW FAR:* **22** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon = slightly > larger mid-size **Sorento**. *HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√** fits **5 adult occupants;** Rear knees aren't likely to abut front seat backs, though rear hats might graze the panoramic moonroof; Sharp raked roof cuts into cargo capacity ![2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: cargo storage](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-cargo001.jpg) 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: cargo storage *HOW USEFUL:* **√** Chrome metal load floor skid plate; **√** near flat folding 60/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks; -1 Forward visibility from bulging fenders / -1 Outward rear visibility from small backlight; Tow Rating: 2,000 lbs. *HOW SAFE*: **√** 8 airbags; **√** IIHS Safety Pick +; **√** Rear camera; sonar front & rear Park Assist, Roll Mitigation, **√** Blind spot, rear cross traffic warning & lane departure warning. ![2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: panorama moon roof](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-panoramic-roof001.jpg) 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: panorama moon roof *HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated & cooled driver/ front passenger seats; **√** 6-way power driver's ; **√** Heated steering; D-shape heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls;**√** Semi toggle-style center stack switches and metallic tipped door switchgear; **√** Contrast stitching; *Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** Key-fob proximity hands-free power liftgate & power folding wing mirrors; Panoramic roof. *Nearly Non-Descript*: Short seat cushions; Leather wears premature, Faux embossed dashtop stitching; Hard plastic front seat backs advertise scuffs. ![2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: cabin controls, instrumentation, 8" UVO touch LCD infotainment/ navigation display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-cockpit001.jpg) 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD compact crossover utility vehicle: cabin controls, instrumentation, 8" UVO touch LCD infotainment/ navigation display *HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** 8" matte capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; **√** +1 Large icons; Voice command hands-free communications; 3-D SD GPS navigation ; **√** Subscription based Sirius TravelLink Sports, Weather, Traffic; Fueling; Cinema; **√** ; subscription fee based UVO telematics; **√**; Harman Kardon sound system more Clarify-ed than outgoing Infinity audio; UVO Apps: Pandora, SoundHound **√** USB x 2, 12V x 3. *HOW MUCH: *$34, 895** \= fully loaded **2017 Kia Sportage SX-T AWD** ; base front-drive Sportage LX = $22,900. *WHAT'S MISSING:* More engaging transmission; Driver seat/ mirror position memory; Quieter & less sensitive LDW alarm; Android Auto/ Apple Car Play, 115V outlet, **+1** Cargo management; **\>** Cabin color contrast; SMS messaging app. *ANY COMPETITION:* **Ford Escape 2.0T**: **+1** lustier powertrain & semi-autonomous driving; **Jeep Cherokee 2.7 V6**, **Subaru Forester 2.0T**: **+1** off-road creds; **Volkswagen Tiguan**: Teutonic build. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/RB-2017-Kia-Sportage-SXT-ext-20160519-115051329-df.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-ext003.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-engine001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-wheels001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-ext-dusk001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-cargo001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-seats-front001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-driver-assist001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-panoramic-roof001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-cockpit001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-seats-rear001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-night-ext001.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2017-Kia-Sportage-SX-T-night-cockpit001.jpg)