The KIA Sportage is one of the bestselling South Korean cars and very popular among used cars for sale in Dubai, UAE. The company sold about 1.6 million Sportage crossovers between 2010 and 2015. It also won several awards including the iF Product Design Award 2016 and was ranked first in J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.
The 2017 KIA Sportage made its UAE debut in March 2016. It was inaugurated by Al Majid Motors, the exclusive distributor of KIA automobiles in the UAE, during a ceremony held at Grand Hyatt in Dubai.
Due to its reliability and affordable price tag, it is ranked high among used cars in Dubai.
Exterior design
The new Sportage has an updated front fascia, which according to some critics isn’t very attractive. However, its overall design is futuristic and sporty. The front profile features a redesigned grille, upgraded LED headlamps, and new fog lamps. The 2017 Sportage is as appealing as its rivals like the Nissan Rogue and Mazda CX-5. The base model has 17-inch alloy wheels and you can also opt for 18 or 19-inch alloys.
Interior design
Its interior has also been refined. The cabin is crafted with high-quality materials and provides a quieter driving experience. The front dashboard is horizontally designed with buttons placed ergonomically within the driver’s reach. Moreover, it is angled toward the driver for better visibility and usage. It includes a 5-inch TFT LCD display, which seems pretty basic compared to the Ford SYNC3 available in the 2017 Ford Escape. It is also fitted with an AUX port, USB slot and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming.
The steering wheel has mounted audio controls so that drivers do not have to take their hands off the steering wheel when controlling the center display. The upper trims offer an automatic climate control system, while the base trim includes a manual air conditioning system.
The seats are comfortable and come with a heating/cooling function and can be electronically adjusted. The cargo capacity measures around 869 liters and can be further increased by pulling down the rear seats.
Engine specs
The 2017 KIA Sportage is available in the UAE in 3 variants – Sportage LX, Sportage EX and the new GT-Line model. Moreover, customers can choose one of the following engine options:
- The 2.0L engine that produces 156 horsepower and 197 Nm of torque.
- The 2.4L unit with 176 horsepower 228 Nm of torque.
- The 1.6L turbocharged mill with 174 horsepower and 265 Nm of torque (only available in the GT-Line model)
The engines can be paired with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission system.
Driving dynamics
The new KIA Sportage delivers a spectacular performance. The base 2.0L engine is the same as the one used in the 2016 Sportage, so the drive is pretty much the same. The new model offers a better drive, especially around the corners.
KIA has improved the aerodynamics of the new model by reducing the coefficient drag from 0.37 cd to 0.35 cd. However, its aerodynamics are still not as good as some of its competitors like Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, and Mazda CX-5. All these have a coefficient drag of 0.33 cd. Moreover, the overall weight of KIA Sportage (1,653 KG) is also greater than the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
In the new model, the front suspension system has been completely redesigned for a smoother ride on all sorts of terrains. The 2WD models are ideal for daily commuting, while the 4WD model is best suited for those who need extra oomph and love going off-road.
Fuel Consumption
The 2017 KIA Sportage with a 2.0L engine delivers about 8.5 L/100 KM (11.66 KM/L) fuel economy, while the 2.4L unit consumes approximately 9.6L to cover 100 kilometers (10.42 KM/L). Compared to its competitors, the new Sportage does not offer good fuel economy.
The Mazda CX-5, which carries a similar 2.0L engine, sips only 6.5L to complete a 100 KM (15.3 KM/L) run, while the Toyota RAV4 with a 2.5L powertrain maintains its fuel average at 7.9 L/100 KM (12.66 km/L).
Convenience and Safety Features
The 2017 KIA Sportage comes equipped with an array of advanced convenience facilities, including an auto-defogger, rear seat ventilation, push start button, electronic parking brake, parking guide system, heated steering wheel, power tailgate with memory function, and a wireless smartphone charging option.
It also has advanced safety features such as ABS with EBD, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, vehicle stability management, auto cruise control and a 6 airbag system. Familiarize yourself with more car safety features here.
Price
The 2017 KIA Sportage is available across the UAE with a starting price of AED 71,900. The 2010-2015 models may cost between AED 30,000 and AED 50,000, depending on the condition and model. You can easily compare prices of used cars for sale in Dubai on CarSwitch.com.
Verdict
The 2017 KIA Sportage is a decent family crossover car with a spacious interior and a lot of advanced features. Some of its competitors offer better features, but it’s more affordable than most of its rivals. But if you are more of a hybrid person, you will love the new Kia Niro.
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