Let's dive into the 2017 Kia Sportage LX, a fantastic 4-door SUV that offers a blend of practicality, style, and value. If you're in the market for a compact SUV, the Sportage LX is definitely one to consider. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about this model, from its features and specs to its overall driving experience. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the 2017 Kia Sportage LX

The 2017 Kia Sportage LX marks a significant step in the Sportage lineup, offering a refreshed design and enhanced features compared to previous models. As a 4-door SUV, it caters perfectly to small families, urban commuters, and anyone needing a versatile vehicle for daily life. The LX trim is the base model, but don't let that fool you; it comes packed with plenty of standard features that make it a competitive choice in its class. The 2017 Sportage boasts a more modern and aggressive exterior design. The front fascia features Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, flanked by sharp headlights that give it a distinctive look. The body lines are sleek and aerodynamic, contributing to a stylish and contemporary appearance. The rear of the vehicle is equally appealing, with a sporty spoiler and well-integrated taillights. Overall, the design strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics, making it an attractive option for a wide range of buyers. Inside, the Sportage LX offers a comfortable and functional cabin. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, providing a pleasant driving experience even on long journeys. The dashboard is well-organized, with easy-to-reach controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. The materials used throughout the cabin are of good quality, giving it a premium feel. Space-wise, the Sportage LX offers ample room for both passengers and cargo. The rear seats can comfortably accommodate adults, and the cargo area is generous enough to handle everyday needs, such as groceries, luggage, or sports equipment. The rear seats also fold down to create even more space when needed, adding to the vehicle's versatility.

Key Features and Specifications

When it comes to the 2017 Kia Sportage LX, understanding its key features and specifications is crucial. The LX trim is well-equipped, offering a range of features that enhance comfort, convenience, and safety. Let's break down what makes this SUV stand out. Under the hood, the 2017 Sportage LX typically features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine delivers around 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate power for most driving situations. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which offers smooth and responsive shifts. While not the most powerful engine in its class, it provides a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency. Speaking of fuel efficiency, the 2017 Sportage LX achieves respectable gas mileage for its class. It typically gets around 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. These figures may vary slightly depending on driving conditions and habits, but overall, it offers competitive fuel economy. Inside the cabin, the Sportage LX comes with a range of features designed to enhance comfort and convenience. Standard features include a 5-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. The infotainment system is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it simple to control your music, make calls, and access other features. Other standard features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. These features add to the overall comfort and convenience of the vehicle, making it a pleasant place to spend time. In terms of safety, the 2017 Sportage LX comes with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard features include antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. It also comes with a rearview camera, which helps improve visibility when backing up. Additional safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, are available as options.

Driving Experience and Performance

The 2017 Kia Sportage LX offers a driving experience that balances comfort and responsiveness. The 2.4-liter engine provides sufficient power for daily commuting and highway driving, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions. The ride quality is generally smooth, absorbing most bumps and road imperfections with ease. The suspension is tuned to provide a comfortable ride, making it suitable for long journeys. However, it's not overly soft, so it still offers decent handling and control. Steering is precise and responsive, providing good feedback to the driver. This makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and navigate through city streets. The Sportage LX is also relatively quiet inside the cabin, thanks to good sound insulation. This helps reduce road noise and wind noise, creating a more pleasant driving environment. Visibility is generally good, although the rear window can feel a bit small. However, the rearview camera helps improve visibility when backing up. Overall, the driving experience is positive and enjoyable, making the Sportage LX a great choice for everyday use. The six-speed automatic transmission works well with the engine, providing smooth and timely shifts. It also offers a manual mode, which allows drivers to shift gears manually for a more engaging driving experience. Acceleration is adequate, although it's not particularly quick. The Sportage LX can reach 60 mph in around 9 seconds, which is average for its class. However, it has enough power for merging onto the highway and passing other vehicles. In terms of handling, the Sportage LX feels stable and composed on the road. It doesn't exhibit much body roll in corners, and it feels planted and secure. The brakes are also strong and responsive, providing good stopping power. Overall, the Sportage LX offers a balanced and enjoyable driving experience. It's not the sportiest SUV in its class, but it provides a comfortable ride, responsive handling, and adequate power for most driving situations. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands around town, or taking a road trip, the Sportage LX is a capable and versatile vehicle.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Stepping inside the 2017 Kia Sportage LX, you'll find a cabin designed with comfort and practicality in mind. The interior is well-laid-out, with easy-to-reach controls and a user-friendly design. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making it a pleasant place to spend time on long drives. The materials used throughout the cabin are of good quality, giving it a premium feel. The dashboard is well-organized, with a clear and easy-to-read instrument panel. The center console houses the infotainment system, which includes a 5-inch touchscreen display. While not the largest display, it's easy to navigate and provides access to essential features such as audio, Bluetooth connectivity, and the rearview camera. The Sportage LX also comes with a six-speaker audio system, which provides decent sound quality. It's not the most powerful system, but it's adequate for most listening needs. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music from your smartphone and make hands-free calls. Other standard features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. These features add to the overall comfort and convenience of the vehicle. In terms of space, the Sportage LX offers ample room for both passengers and cargo. The rear seats can comfortably accommodate adults, and the cargo area is generous enough to handle everyday needs. The rear seats also fold down to create even more space when needed, adding to the vehicle's versatility. The Sportage LX also offers a number of storage compartments throughout the cabin, including a glove box, door pockets, and a center console storage bin. These compartments provide plenty of space to store your personal belongings. Overall, the interior of the 2017 Kia Sportage LX is comfortable, practical, and well-designed. It offers a good balance of features and space, making it a great choice for families and individuals alike.

Safety Features and Ratings

When it comes to safety, the 2017 Kia Sportage LX is well-equipped with a range of features designed to protect you and your passengers. It has also received good safety ratings from reputable organizations, giving you peace of mind on the road. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, which help prevent wheel lockup during hard braking, improving steering control. Stability control helps prevent skidding by automatically applying the brakes to individual wheels when needed. Traction control helps prevent wheel spin by reducing engine power and applying the brakes to spinning wheels. The Sportage LX also comes with a full complement of airbags, including front airbags, side airbags, and side curtain airbags. These airbags provide protection in the event of a collision. In addition to these standard features, the Sportage LX also comes with a rearview camera, which helps improve visibility when backing up. This can help prevent accidents and make parking easier. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, which alerts you when a vehicle is in your blind spot, and rear cross-traffic alert, which alerts you to approaching vehicles when you're backing out of a parking space. The 2017 Kia Sportage has been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The NHTSA gave the Sportage an overall safety rating of five stars, which is the highest possible rating. The Sportage received five stars in the frontal crash test, five stars in the side crash test, and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave the Sportage a