2017 Kia Sportage SX: A Pricier Yet More Powerful Upgrade to the EX

Feb 27, 2017 09:00 AM EST | Yen Palec

The Kia Sportage SX is the more powerful and prettier version of the Sportage EX. It is true that it is a bit pricier than the EX, but the price justifies all the upgrades done into the Sportage SX, both on the exterior and under the hood.

The Kia Sportage SX packs a powerful 2.0-liter turbo four engine with 237-horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the Sportage EX packs a 2.4-liter engine with 181-horsepower and 175lb-ft of torque. Looking at this aspect alone, and it is enough to justify the pricier Sportage SX.

The extra power and torque of the Kia Sportage SX offers a different driving experience. Naturally, it offers a quicker and faster output compared to the EX.

In a test conducted by Motor Trend, an all-wheel drive Kia Sportage EX hits zero to 60mph in 9.0 seconds. The same team tested a 2017 Sportage SX and revealed an acceleration time of just 8.1 seconds.

Aside from engine upgrades, the Kia Sportage SX also sports a handful of interesting upgrades both in the exterior and interior. The SX has 19-inch wheels, which packs a rather conventional design. The LED taillight of the SX can easily rival those from premium-tiered cars. There are also a handful of interior aesthetic upgrades that buyers can pick in order to accentuate their style.

The Sportage SX also gets HID headlights which the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated as excellent compared to the headlights integrated on the Sportage EX. The SX's HID headlights also turn around corners eliminating blind spots. According to MLive, the Sportage SX has an estimated rating of 21mpg for the city,26mpg for highway, and an average of 23mpg.

A standard upgrade to the Kia Sportage SX will cost somewhere around $2,000. For this price, you will get extra power, HID headlights, several visual upgrades, and a two-tone leather. These are reasonable upgrades given the price to performance ratio tips on the positive side.

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