Redesigned 2017 Sportage arriving soon! Here's everything you'd want to know about it.

The new 2017 Kia Sportage has been completely redesigned, inside and out...and in the next few weeks the first of them will be arriving here at Barnett.

Look for stiffer structure for improved safety, ride, and handling, upgraded safety technologies, next-generation UVO3 infotainment system, an interior that is quieter, more refined, and larger with more room for people and cargo, available turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

Now let’s get REALLY specific.

This fourth-generation Sportage is available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trim levels, competing in the compact crossover SUV segment—the most popular vehicle type in America.

Longer and sitting on a stretched wheelbase, the 2017 reflects a new approach to Kia’s traditional “tiger-nose” styling. The headlights now sit appreciably higher than the grille and sweep up toward the windshield pillars, a hint of Porsche Macan.

Sportage’s signature rakish roofline and thick rear roof pillars remain, making its profile instantly recognizable. The bodywork is more aerodynamic than before, and designers have kept the wheels pushed to the corners to reduce the amount of front and rear overhang.

The SX Turbo’s 19-in. aluminum wheels give the Sportage a sizable footprint, and this model also includes HID headlights, LED fog lights, and LED taillights.

Kia’s latest interior design culture is evident in the new Sportage’s cabin, where the appearance is simple, clean, and modern. Soft-touch materials, metallic trim and accents, plus available two-tone interior treatments give the Sportage an upscale look and feel.

The dashboard is divided into an upper display zone and a lower control zone, and Kia had angled the center control panel and touch-screen infotainment system 10 degrees toward the driver. Visibility is improved, too, thanks to thinner roof pillars and a larger rear window.

The Sportage LX features a touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, streaming-audio capability, satellite radio, and a rear camera. Stepping up, the Sportage EX supplies Kia’s new UVO3 infotainment system, which debuts on this version.

The new UVO3 system includes a 7-in. touch screen display and provides support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-integration platforms. Owners have 8 GB of system music storage, can access Pandora and Soundhound right from the screen, and can tether a smartphone to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. Add navigation and an 8-in. display screen replaces the seven-in. screen. Also, don’t forget that all of this, plus UVO’s connected services programs, are free of charge with no subscription necessary because they are powered by your connected smartphone.

An optional 320-watt Harmon Kardon premium audio system is also new for the 2017, featuring eight speakers and Clari-Fi music-restoration technology.

The new Sportage offers its five passengers additional headroom and leg room. The rear seat is more comfortable due to a lower floor and lower seating hip point. Improved sound-proofing combined with suspension changes and the Sportage’s more aerodynamic bodywork reduce the amount of noise, vibration, and harshness entering the cabin.

Cargo space is larger than before, growing from 26.1 cu. ft. behind the rear seat to 30.7 cu. ft. A lower liftover height makes it easier to load and unload heavy items.

Options? Leather upholstery is standard for the EX and SX Turbo, while the SX Turbo gets a flat-bottom heated steering wheel, aluminum pedals, piano black interior trim, and real stitching on the dashboard.

A panoramic sunroof remains available for 2017, but it is larger than before. A smart power rear liftgate automatically opens when it senses the presence of the keyless entry fob, while a 12-way power driver’s seat, 10-way power front passenger’s seat, and heated front seats keep occupants comfortable.

Kia has increased the use of advanced high-strength steel in the Sportage’s structure from 18% to 51%, and the material is now used to reinforce the SUV’s roof pillars, roof structure, side sills, and wheel arches. As a result, engineers predict that the new 2017 Sportage will earn top crash-test ratings from the federal government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

While a more robust architecture may be the foundation for crash protection, it helps to be able to avoid a collision in the first place. The old Sportage could be optioned with a rear camera and a UVO eServices with 911 Connect, but the 2017 offers those features in addition to the latest driver-assistance and accident-avoidance technologies.

The automatic emergency braking system can detect when a possible collision with an object or pedestrian might occur, and can autonomously brake the SUV in order to try to bring the Sportage to a halt prior to impact. A blind-spot warning system with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert system, and a lane-departure warning system are available for the 2017 Sportage, as are adaptive headlights that help the driver to see around dark corners and curves.

A 181-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard for the Sportage LX and EX, re-tuned to deliver better fuel economy. The SX Turbo gets a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 240 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, with the torque spread across an appreciable portion of the engine’s rev range in order to supply a steady and continuous stream of power.

A 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode is standard with both engines, driving the Sportage’s front wheels. Paddle shifters are included for the SX Turbo, making it even more fun to drive.

Kia’s Dynamax AWD system is optional, equipped with a locking center differential that can evenly split engine power to the front and rear wheels when necessary. Otherwise, the AWD system continuously varies the power split depending on driving conditions. The Sportage AWD is equipped with a different front bumper in order to improve the SUV’s approach angle.

Suspension changes provide improved vehicle stability, more precise handling, and more natural response to driver inputs and changing road surface conditions. The SX Turbo gets firmer suspension tuning for more athletic handling.

Right now, you can lease a new 2016 Sportage for as low as $99 a month! Or move up to a new Sorento for the same payment. During Barnett’s Optima Closeout, lease a new 2015 Optima for as low as $169 a month with $0 down, or buy from $17,988, a savings of nearly $5,000!*

And, of course, every new vehicle comes with Barnett’s exclusive—and FREE—MILLION MILE Warranty. Ask your sales associate for all the details on that, too. Come see us soon at Barnett Kia on Highway 61 in White Bear Lake!