Kia moved ahead several giant steps in the crowded crossover field with the upgrades it made to its 2011 Sportage, and the South Korean automaker is not about to back off with the 2012 version.

The 2012 Kia Sportage did not get the kind of makeover last year’s model received, but then why would it? Thanks in part to a designer it brought over from Audi, Kia hit a home run with the 2011 model year, and its classy new look helped get the vehicle mentioned in the same reviewer paragraphs with good company like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue and others.

The eye-catching exterior and a nice tandem of power and handling, at least according to some, combine to make the 2012 Kia Sportage a fun-to-drive rig that deserves a look by anyone in the market for an affordable and, well, sporty crossover utility vehicle.

An engine upgrade for its top-of-the-line trim did its share to boost the image of the Kia Sportage in its most recent redesign, too. The 2012 Kia Sportage comes in Base, LX, EX and SX trims. The Base engine remains a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder rated at 176 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. The SX gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct injection, good for 260 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.

The Base comes in front-wheel drive (FWD) with a 6-speed manual transmission with fuel mileage rated at 21 mpg city/29 highway. The LX, the most popular trim, and EX arrive with a 6-speed automatic with a clutchless-manual mode that reviewers laud for its smoothness, and it bumps the mileage numbers up to 22/32 in FWD and gets 21/28 in AWD. The SX brings in figures of 22/29 in FWD and 21/26 in AWD.

Kia packs the 2012 Sportage with standard goodies such as alloy wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control and three 12-volt outlets as well as infotainment connectivity. The cars have Bluetooth hands-free phone setups and satellite radio equipped with steering-wheel-mounted controls for audio and cruise systems. The Sportage also feature Kia’s UVO system for easy storage and playback from assorted digital sources. A navigation system, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and a navigation system are available on some trims.

The 2012 Kia Sportage does get mixed reviews for its handling and ride. Some experts feel that, though the vehicle features traditional unibody construction, several of the Sportage’s rivals offer a more smooth ride. They note that the Sportage’s seats are overly firm, which lets riders feel each and every bump, adding to a harsh ride. Other critics point out that visibility is not great to the side or rear in the Sportage. The rear suspension has been upgraded and floor insulation added for 2012, and the changes have made the ride a little quieter.

The 2012 Kia Sportage benefits, as do other members of the family, from the manufacturer’s impressive warranty coverage of 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper and roadside assistance combined with 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain.

The 2012 Kia Sportage features antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assist, traction and stability control and a full a full array of airbags. It also has standard hill start assist to help while on an upgrade and hill descent control, which limits the vehicle’s speed during steep descents.