Though we had already seen official photos of Kia’s new crossover, the 2017 Kia Sportage’s debut at the 2015 Frankfurt auto show brings with it confirmation on the car’s powertrains and specifications, at least for the European-market version. The U.S.-spec Sportage is likely to make its debut soon, possibly at the Los Angeles auto show in November.
The European Kia Sportage’s powertrain options include two diesel four-cylinders and two 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinders. Of these four, the one we’re likely to get in the U.S. is the so-called 1.6 T-GDI engine, which is the same 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder offered in the closely related 2016 Hyundai Tucson. In the Sportage, it makes 174 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, though those numbers may change for the U.S. version. Putting the power to the wheels is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and front- and all-wheel drive are both offered. Fuel economy should improve, as the aforementioned Tucson achieves up to 33 mpg highway, a bump over the outgoing Sportage’s 28 mpg.
As far as other changes go, the redesigned 2017 Kia Sportage wears a completely new skin, with a more aggressive face up front and a more streamlined rear end that takes inspiration from other Kia models like the K900 luxury sedan. The Sportage also has a slightly larger footprint than before, affording more passenger and cargo space inside. Newly available active-safety features include autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Stay tuned for more information to come on the U.S. version of the 2017 Kia Sportage, which won’t look too different from the European-market car pictured here.
