Sportage and Forte were Caliente! Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – June 1, 2016 2017 Kia Sportage LX in FWD spec - $24,015 incl. mats and $895 D&H to start. TrueCar shows it can be purchased for just over $21k on both the east and west coasts. The all-new 4th gen 2017 Sportage is built upon a structure that is both stiffer and more spacious than any of its predecessors. Advanced driver assistance technologies, significant suspension and steering improvements, and available intelligent AWD vastly improve the Sportage’s driving dynamics while premium materials create a more luxurious driving experience. Like the outgoing model, the all-new Sportage is built at Kia’s production facility in Gwangju, Korea, and is available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims. 2017 Kia Sportage Exterior Kia’s continued use of the distinctive “tiger-nose” grille sets up the front fascia for success. Wraparounsd headlamps, only add to its mystique. 2017 Kia Sportage Showing off its good side in town. The wheelbase has been stretched 1.2 inches to 105.1 inches, while overall length has increased 1.6 inches to 176.4 inches. A sloping roofline and sharply raked rear window, short overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners, longer more aerodynamic spoiler and bolder wheel arches provide a very modern silhouette. A chrome day light opening surrounds the entire window opening. Top-of-the-line SX Turbo model adds new “ice cube” LED fog lamps, HID headlamps, LED tail lights, satin exterior trim, metal-look skid plates, metal transverse trim, and 19” alloys. 2017 Kia Sportage Interior The all-new Sportage’s driver-oriented cockpit features modern horizontal lines emphasizing a more spacious interior. The upper “display” zone delivers information to occupants via the instrument panel and new color touchscreen, which is canted 7.2 degrees toward the driver. The lower half, or “control” zone, features easily identifiable switchgear to operate the available dual-zone climate system, audio and secondary controls. Similar to the touchscreen, the center console has been angled to face the driver. Very comfortable and high end interior appointments. Five interior colors are available with all-new metalwork and soft-touch materials. The EX and SX Turbo models add leather, and the SX Turbo includes a D-shaped, heated and leather-wrapped wheel with paddle shifters, piano black trim along the center console, alloy pedals, and authentic stitching on the dashboard. Interior dimensions have grown with the wheelbase. Headroom is up 0.2 inches up front and 0.6 inches in the back, legroom by 0.3 inches out back, and the second row has a 1.6-inch lower interior floor despite the external ground clearance being unchanged at 6.4 inches for FWD and 6.8 inches on AWD models. Optional three-level heated and ventilated front seats, 10-way power control with lumbar support for the driver’s seat, and eight-way power control for the passenger seat is also available. With a dual-level cargo floor and a widened luggage area, cargo capacity behind the second row has increased from 26.1 cu.-ft. to 30.7 cu.-ft. By relocating the license plate from the bumper to the tailgate, the lift-over height has been lowered for easier loading and unloading. A Smart Power Liftgate, which automatically opens when the key fob is within three feet of the vehicle, is also available. 2017 Kia Sportage Rear Cargo Volume Outward visibility has been improved by mounting the side mirrors lower on the doors, using thinner A- and C-pillars and incorporating larger rear glass in the hatch. An available panoramic sunroof with an opening 4.1 inches longer than the outgoing model’s is also available. Kia engineers reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) through the application of a quad-bushing setup in the rear suspension to isolate road noise and additional sound-absorbent materials throughout the Sportage’s wheel arches. Wind noise also is reduced as a result of thicker front side glass, a lip seal for the panoramic sunroof, and additional soundproofing in the doors. The 2017 Sportage is also more aerodynamic than its predecessor, with a coefficient of drag that’s been reduced from .35 to .33. 2017 Kia Sportage Drivetrain(s) The 2.0L I4 turbo in the SX Turbo makes 240 hp (237 on AWD models) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. It has been retuned for better efficiency and more midrange torque. The LX and EX use a normally aspirated 181 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque 2.4L I4 that is also retuned for better fuel efficiency. Both FWD and AWD variants are coupled with an updated 6-speed Sportmatic transmission. The intelligent AWD system is available on every trim and features a 50/50 locking center differential. The system senses, anticipates, and optimizes traction requirements for all road and weather conditions. AWD models feature a unique front fascia with a steeper approach angle for increased capability. 2017 Kia Sportage Chassis The all-new Sportage is significantly improved with 51 percent Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) vs just 18 percent for the outgoing model. With it, torsional rigidity has improved 39 percent. Over a football field’s length of structural adhesive reinforces the body and quells NVH further. The fully independent front suspension uses a four-point bushing setup delivering greater stability while stiffer wheel bearings and bushings result in more precise handling. The fully independent rear end now adopts a dual-member shock absorber housing, and both AWD and FWD models now benefit from a dual lower-arm multi-link setup. The SX Turbo has been uniquely tuned with firmer shocks to deliver sharper handling befitting its athletic personality. Steering was improved by mounting the steering box farther forward on the axle for smoother inputs. With a 32-bit ECU (versus the 16-bit unit of its predecessor) and 25 percent less friction than the previous system, the 2017 Sportage offers a more precise steering response and better feel. 2017 Kia Sportage Safety The 2017 Sportage will be available with the following: Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Lane Change Assist (LCA) Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) Front & Rear Parking Assist, which uses sonar sensors integrated in the bumpers to warn the driver when nearing other vehicles or objects Bi-HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) and High Beam Assist (HBA) technology 2017 Kia Sportage Infotainment The all-new Sportage LX arrives with a standard 5.0” color touchscreen that features Bluetooth hands-free phone operation and streaming audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and rear-camera display. The EX adds a 7” capacitive touchscreen with the latest version of Kia’s UVO3. Our past experience with the UVO systems have proven them to be one of the best. The new system is complimented with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay (next April availability), and UVO eServices with up to 8 GB of music storage and access to Pandora though the touch screen. SoundHound is accessible through a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. The SX Turbo features all of the above, plus an 8” capacitive touchscreen and onboard navigation. All Sportages come standard with a 160-watt six-speaker audio system. A powerful 320-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system is also available and features eight speakers including subwoofer, an external amplifier, and Clari-FiTM9 music restoration technology for unrivalled audio quality. 2017 Kia Sportage Not a bad looking ride… Kia May 2016 Sales Overview With two fewer selling days (24 vs 26 in May of 2015), Kia’s May U.S. sales of 62,926 was up 0.8 percent vs the 62,433 sold in May of 2015. On a daily selling rate (DSR) basis, May sales were up a strong 9.2 percent. It was the hard charging Korean brands best May sales in history and the fourth monthly sales record within the first five months of the year. Year to date sales of 265,755 was up 3.5percent over the 256,815 sold through the same period of 2015. On a DSR basis, YTD sales were up 4.3 percent. Kia May 2016 Sales Highlights Kia’s May results were highlighted by the double digit increases for the Forte and hot selling Sportage. The Sportage also achieved its highest sales total in any given month in history. The Forte achieved sales of 9,910 vehicles in May, up 15.4 percent over the 8,584 sold in May of 2015. On a DSR basis, that uptick was up 25.1 percent. Year to date sales of 43,572 vehicles is up 23.5 percent over the 35,275 sold during the same period of 2015. The Sportage achieved May sales of 8,568 vehicles, up a phenomenal 91.0 percent over the 4,487 sold in May of 2015. On a DSR basis, volume more than doubled, up 106.9 percent. YTD sales of 33,680 is up 65.1 percent over the 20,405 sold through the same period of 2015. On a DSR basis, sales were up 66.4 percent. Market Share Detail In May, Hyundai and Nissan each picked up 0.5 percent market share while GM took a hit losing 1.6 percent vs. April of 2016. On a volume basis, May sales of 1.53 million vehicles was down 6.1 percent below May of 2015s 1.63 million vehicles sold result. On a DSR basis however (24 vs. 26 days), May sales were up 1.7 percent. 2016 YTD sales of 7.08 million is up 0.7 percent ahead of the 7.03 million vehicles sold through the same period of 2015. On a DSR basis (126 vs. 127 days), U.S. 2016 sales were up 1.5 percent. U.S. May 2016 Sales vs. May 2015 Sales Ranks and Results for the top 14 Automobile Manufacturers GM May 2016 Sales Down 18.0% with 240,450 Vehicles Sold Ford May 2016 Sales Down 5.9% with 235,997 Vehicles Sold Toyota May 2016 Sales Down 9.6% with 219,339 Vehicles Sold FCA May 2016 Sales Up 1.1% with 204,452 Vehicles Sold Honda May 2016 Sales Down 4.8% with 147,108 Vehicles Sold Nissan May 2016 Sales Down 1.0% with 133,496 Vehicles Sold Hyundai May 2016 Sales Up 11.6% with 71,006 Vehicles Sold Kia May 2016 Sales Up 0.8% with 62,926 Vehicles Sold Subaru May 20165 Sales Up 1.1% with 50,083 Vehicles Sold BMW May 2016 Sales Down 8.8% with 33,612 Vehicles Sold Mercedes-Benz May 2016 Sales Down 1.9% with 32,567 Vehicles Sold VW May 2016 Sales Down 17.2% with 28,779 Vehicles Sold Mazda May 2016 Sales Down 4.3% with 28,328 Vehicles Sold Audi May 2016 Sales Up 1.6% with 18,728 Vehicles Sold In May, BMW moved back ahead of Mercedes-Benz. Ford was just 4,453 units off of overtaking GM as the number one OEM in the U.S. sales tally and Mazda was just 451 vehicles from taking over VWs 12th position. The seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in May was approximately 17.0 million vehicles. Calendar-year-to-date, the light vehicle SAAR was 17.2 million vehicles.
