2017 Kia Sportage

2.4L Theta II GDI I4 is the standard engine on the volume LX/EX trims for the redesigned 2017 (QL) Sportage.

Peak torque for the standard 2.4L GDI engine on the volume LX/EX trims.

Edmunds instrumented test of the 2.4L Sportage EX; the turbocharged SX is meaningfully quicker (independent tests in the high-6 to low-7 second range) but is not the volume powertrain.

Reviewers describe the 2.4L as smooth and quiet at everyday speeds but short on reserve power for passing or merging, keeping it out of the top band.

The 6-speed automatic is repeatedly singled out as one of the better-behaved conventional automatics in the compact SUV class for 2017, shifting smoothly and downshifting promptly.

Manufacturer-rated maximum towing capacity, consistent across FWD and AWD configurations for the 2017 model year.

AWD is offered across the entire trim lineup (LX, EX, SX Turbo) for 2017, but it is a conventional on-demand system with no low-range, locking diff, or terrain-select modes.

Modest ground clearance and no off-road hardware or dedicated trim; the redesigned 2017 Sportage is unambiguously pavement-oriented.

Two gasoline engine choices (2.4L NA, 2.0L turbo) cover mainstream and quicker buyers, but there is no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant for this generation in 2017.

EPA combined rating for the volume 2.4L FWD configuration (LX/EX).

EPA city rating for the volume 2.4L FWD configuration.

EPA highway rating for the volume 2.4L FWD configuration.

Calculated from the manufacturer's 16.4-gallon fuel tank capacity and the EPA combined rating for the volume 2.4L FWD configuration; Kia/EPA do not publish a range figure directly for gas vehicles.

EPA annual fuel cost estimate for the volume 2.4L FWD configuration under standard assumptions.

Runs on regular unleaded across the entire trim range, including the turbo engine, with no premium recommendation.

All-new (QL-generation) 2017 Sportage earned NHTSA's top overall rating, with the perfect side-impact result offsetting 4-star frontal and rollover results.

Won IIHS Top Safety Pick (not Plus) — Good in small overlap front (both sides), moderate overlap, roof strength and head restraints, plus a Superior rating for the optional front crash prevention system (avoided collision at both 12 and 25 mph). The award is capped below TSP+ by a Marginal result on the updated side-impact test and a Poor headlight rating.

On the volume LX/EX trims, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure warning are unavailable or gated behind an optional Technology package, and blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert require a separate Premium package on EX and above. The full suite is standard only on the range-topping SX Turbo.

IIHS rated the optional front crash prevention system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, avoiding a crash entirely in both the 12 mph and 25 mph tests. Pedestrian AEB testing/equipment was not part of IIHS's 2017 evaluation for this vehicle.

Blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert are alert-only and confined to an optional Premium package on EX and above (standard on SX Turbo); absent on the base LX trim entirely.

The system is warning-only lane-departure alert with no active lane-keep or centering assist, and even that is optional outside the SX Turbo.

Adaptive cruise control was not offered on any 2017 Sportage trim (it arrived in a later model year of this generation); only conventional fixed-speed cruise control is available.

No hands-free highway driving system was offered on the 2017 Sportage on any trim.

IIHS rated the headlights Poor across all trim/lighting configurations tested, citing excessive glare and inadequate illumination in curves — the single result keeping the vehicle out of Top Safety Pick+.

Reviewers credit lower-mounted side mirrors and thinner A-pillars for improved forward sightlines, but rear-quarter and side visibility were flagged as tight, with a standard backup camera compensating somewhat.

IIHS rated the LATCH anchor ease-of-use Acceptable across both trim configurations tested — workable but not effortless.

Standard 5-passenger compact SUV across all trims (LX, EX, SX Turbo); no 3-row option offered for 2017.

Manufacturer-published figure for the non-sunroof configuration, as specified.

Manufacturer-published figure, consistent across trims.

Consistent figure across multiple spec aggregators for the second row; not directly confirmed on Kia's own spec sheet.

Manufacturer-published figure, corroborated by independent spec aggregators.

The 2017 Sportage is a strict two-row, 5-passenger compact SUV with no third-row option on any trim (LX/EX/SX Turbo).

Manufacturer-published figure behind the second row.

Widely reported max-cargo figure with second row folded; sits at the low end of the compact-SUV field.

Conventional but competitive layout: 60/40 split rear seats that flip forward independently, front console bin, door pockets and a household-style 12V/USB outlet for rear passengers; nothing standout like a giga-console or in-floor trunk.

Reviewers specifically praised the supportive driver's seat as a strength for a Kia of this era; optional heated/ventilated front seats with 10-way power/lumbar on higher trims add to long-haul comfort.

Ride is well controlled over bumps and a clear Kia development priority for this generation, but reviewers note it runs a touch firmer and less cushioned than the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4.

Kia specifically engineered NVH improvements for this generation (quad-bushing rear suspension, thicker front glass, added door soundproofing) and period reviewers were struck by how quiet it was, though some owners report wind noise around the panoramic sunroof seal at highway speed.

Dual-zone automatic climate control, three-level heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available from EX Premium up, but no rear climate vents or remote pre-conditioning beyond the UVO app; base LX is comfort-sparse.

All-new fourth-generation (QL) Sportage launched for 2017; base LX FWD undercuts most compact-SUV rivals.

EX is the best-selling mid trim, adding the touchscreen audio system, alloy wheels and comfort features most buyers chose over the base LX.

RepairPal rates the Sportage's average annual repair cost well below the compact-SUV average; adding routine scheduled service (oil changes, filters, brake service) over 5 years lands the total in the lower-cost part of the segment band.

KBB reported the 2017 Sportage retaining 46% of value after 3 years; extrapolating Kia's typical depreciation curve (below Toyota/Honda, in line with mainstream value brands) to 5 years lands around 40%.

Kia's basic limited warranty for the 2017 model year matches its long-standing industry-leading coverage.

Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty was a segment-leading differentiator in 2017, though it does not transfer to subsequent owners.

The 2017 Sportage included 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance bundled with the warranty, but Kia's complimentary-scheduled-maintenance program ('Kia Care') had not yet launched, so owners paid for routine service out of pocket.

$25,700 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (40% retained, or about $10,280) leaves about $15,420 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,800 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,220 in total.

J.D. Power gave the 2017 Sportage a strong 4.5/5 predicted reliability rating, but owner-reported complaint volume (engine, transmission, electrical) on carcomplaints.com for this newly-redesigned 4th-generation model year runs above segment norms, so the picture is good-not-flawless rather than top-tier across every source.

Kia was the top-ranked mass-market brand in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the second consecutive year in 2017 (72 PP100) and again in 2018, and topped the mass-market Vehicle Dependability Study for a third consecutive year as of the 2017 release — a sustained multi-year brand standing, not a single good year.

NHTSA logs real safety campaigns against this generation, including a tow-hitch wiring harness fire-risk recall (2017-2022 Sportage) and a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) engine-compartment fire recall (2017-2021 Sportage), plus a minor trailer-brake-light malfunction recall — fire-risk campaigns are more serious than routine bulletins, though this generation avoided the connecting-rod-bearing engine-destruction recall that centered on the earlier (2012) Sportage rather than this one.

The 2017 Sportage's Theta II GDI four-cylinders (2.4L NA / 2.0L turbo) belong to the same engine family that drew widespread industry scrutiny for oil consumption and stalling in this era, and owner reports for the 2017 model year cite engine complaints among the most common; the conventional automatic transmission behind it has no major reported failure pattern, keeping the powertrain out of the worst tier but short of a proven, high-mileage reputation.

Reviewers split between praising the redesigned cabin's upmarket look and higher-trim leather, and Consumer Reports' more measured take that materials are 'comparable to peers' with basic but well-assembled trim — solid for the mainstream compact SUV price point without being class-leading across the board.

No pattern of rattles or misalignment complaints surfaced in reviews or owner reports; Consumer Reports specifically noted the cabin's pieces 'fit together well,' consistent with Kia's strong initial-quality standing in this era.

Kia's US dealer network in 2017 (roughly 750-800 dealers) gave adequate nationwide coverage but was noticeably smaller than the legacy Japanese and domestic brands it competes against in this segment, placing it in the mid-pack rather than dense-network tier.

Kia parts pricing and repair costs are generally in line with mainstream non-luxury norms, and a high-volume compact SUV like the Sportage has reasonable aftermarket and parts availability, though not as abundant as the segment's best-selling nameplates.

The mid-trim EX — the recommended, best-equipped mainstream trim — steps up from the base LX's 5-inch screen to a 7-inch UVO3 capacitive touchscreen; the largest 8-inch unit with embedded navigation is exclusive to SX Turbo.

UVO3, new for 2017, was well-regarded for its era — capacitive touchscreen, logical menu layout and free UVO eServices apps — without the lag or clutter complaints that dogged some period rivals.

CarPlay and Android Auto are wired-only via USB (wireless projection did not exist in this era) and are standard only from EX up — the base LX's 5-inch system lacks phone projection entirely.

Embedded voice-command navigation is confined to the top 8-inch SX Turbo system; the volume EX trim's 7-inch UVO3 unit has voice recognition for phone/audio but relies on phone-projected maps rather than a built-in nav map.

Base 6-speaker system is adequate; EX Premium/SX trims offer an 8-speaker harman/kardon ClariFi 320W system with subwoofer, a genuine premium branded upgrade for the class.

Base cluster uses a small 3.5-inch monochrome trip-computer display flanked by analog gauges; the top 'Supervision' cluster on higher trims is only a 4.2-inch color info display, not a configurable full-digital gauge cluster.

No over-the-air update capability of any kind existed on the 2017 Sportage — UVO3 telematics predates Kia's OTA rollout by several years.

The UVO eServices/UVO Link smartphone app covers the core remote set — remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle locator, climate pre-conditioning and maintenance alerts — solid for the era but no digital key.

Ports are limited to a single USB and 12V outlet up front with a second-row 12V/USB pair on higher trims; no USB-C, no wireless charging pad was offered on the 2017 model.

Smart-key proximity entry and push-button start are standard from EX up with UVO Link remote start, but the base LX retains a conventional key — no phone-as-key or hands-free liftgate offered on any trim.

A rearview camera is standard across the range and rear parking sensors are available from EX up, but there is no 360-degree/surround-view camera on this generation — that arrived in later Sportage redesigns.

No head-up display of any kind was offered on the 2017 Sportage on any trim; HUD didn't reach the Kia lineup until later model generations.

Compact-SUV-typical door openings and a 60/40 split rear bench that flips forward independently make loading kids and gear manageable, with standard LATCH anchors; a modest 38.2-in rear legroom and 30.7 cu ft of cargo cap how much gear fits alongside a rear-facing seat.

The 2017 Sportage earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but only when equipped with the optional front crash prevention package — AEB, blind-spot detection and lane-departure warning are all extra-cost options bundled on upper trims, not standard on the affordable LX/EX families actually buy.

A quiet, well-controlled ride and a supportive driver's seat suit multi-hour trips, but rear-seat amenities are thin (no rear climate vents, no rear entertainment) and cargo space with all seats occupied is modest for the segment.

Reviewers specifically called out comfortable ride, supportive seating and good highway steering feel as strengths — traits that translate directly into low-fatigue daily driving, though the 2.4L has little reserve power for quick merges.

23/30 mpg city/highway (FWD 2.4L) is roughly average for a compact gas SUV of this era — respectable but not a per-mile standout against segment leaders.

A tight 34.8-ft curb-to-curb turning circle and compact 176.4-in overall length make it easy to thread through city traffic and tight parking, aided by a standard rearview camera and available rear sensors from EX up.

A 2,000-lb tow rating across every engine/drivetrain combination and no bed or heavy-duty cargo provisions make this a poor fit for real work duty.

Kia's reliability reputation was improving by 2017 but the Sportage has no fleet/commercial-use track record and a carpeted, passenger-oriented cabin not built for abuse.

No onboard power beyond a standard 12V/USB outlet, no upfit ecosystem, and a carpeted cargo area with no washable liner or tie-down-heavy design.

A quiet cabin and supportive seats suit highway miles, and 30-mpg highway gives a usable ~480-mile tank range, but driver-assist tech (adaptive cruise, etc.) is limited/optional rather than broadly standard, so fatigue reduction on long hauls is modest.

AWD with a locking center differential is available and 6.4-6.8 in of ground clearance handles gravel and light trails, but this is not an off-road-oriented SUV — modest clearance and street-biased tires limit anything beyond mild adventure use.

60/40 split rear seats that flip forward independently and available roof rails handle normal luggage and bike/roof-box duty reasonably well, though 30.7/60.1 cu ft cargo figures trail larger compact-SUV rivals for bulky gear.

Secure and well-controlled when pushed, with quick turn-in, but soft suspension tuning brings noticeable body roll and vertical motion; reviewers place it behind the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape for outright nimbleness.

Good, well-weighted steering at highway speed was specifically praised, but the same reviewers note the system is short on feedback overall.

Initial pedal travel feels soft/mushy, but response firms up with more pressure to become reassuring, and instrumented stops were reported as respectable for the class.

The 2.4L/6-speed automatic pairing is smooth and quick to kick down when needed, but the naturally aspirated engine has little reserve power once cruising, so response under hard acceleration is unremarkable.

The 2.4L four-cylinder is described as quiet and refined for the class, consistent with Kia's broader NVH investment in this generation.

Manufacturer-published curb-to-curb turning circle, near the tight end of the compact-SUV band.

10-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment on higher trims and a raised crossover seating position give good sightlines and adjustability; controls are logically laid out with the new UVO3 screen.

Pleasant and easy to live with day-to-day, but reviewers consistently frame it as secure-but-unremarkable rather than genuinely engaging, trailing more driver-focused compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5.

Even the base LX carried a touchscreen, Bluetooth/USB, soft-touch cabin materials and a strong roster of driver-assist tech optional lower in the range than several rivals charged for it, though items like automatic climate control and leather were reserved for EX/SX.

KBB named the redesigned 2017 Sportage a Compact SUV Best Buy, citing style, amenities and value for a sub-$25,000 starting price with soft-touch materials, reclining rear seats and available panoramic sunroof/turbo engine most rivals didn't offer at the price.

Three trims (LX, EX, SX Turbo) each offered with FWD or AWD gave a reasonable base-to-loaded spread, but a single naturally aspirated engine for LX/EX and a single turbo engine for SX left less configuration flexibility than rivals with more powertrain choices.

The Sportage sold 72,824 units in the US in 2017, down about 10% from 2016 despite the redesign, and remained a steady mid-pack seller well behind segment leaders like the CR-V and RAV4.

Kia's US brand image in 2017 was value-and-warranty-driven rather than aspirational — improving in perceived quality but still a mainstream budget choice rather than a brand with a loyal following or resale halo.

As a value-positioned, high-volume mainstream nameplate with sales down year over year, the 2017 Sportage was a car Kia dealers and Kia Motors Finance commonly discounted and financed aggressively rather than one that sold near sticker.

2017 was the first model year of the all-new fourth-generation (QL) Sportage, with a new platform, more high-strength steel, and updated styling and safety tech versus its predecessor.

The redesigned 2017 Sportage earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (with optional front crash prevention), KBB's Compact SUV Best Buy award, and a spot on KBB's 12 Best Family Cars and 10 Best AWD Vehicles Under $25,000 lists, though reviewers still ranked the Honda CR-V ahead of it on efficiency and space.