Ahead of its official debut and just shortly after images were leaked, spy shots of the 2021 Kia Sorento started making the rounds online sans camouflage to cover its body.
Thanks to the latest batch of photos, it was revealed the upcoming mid-size SUV features sharp styling and uniquely designed headlights and taillights.
The model was seen during a photoshoot in California and appears to be the production version bound for the Korean market. But the overall design and styling are likely not going to change for its U.S. version.
What’s noticeable in the new Sorento are the front- and rear-end designs that include LED headlights flanking the front grille. Meanwhile, the dorsal part of the SUV is characterized by two-bar taillights positioned vertically on each side, pairing well with the angular tailgate. The doors, roofline, and greenhouse of the 2021 version are all similar to those of the current model.
A hybrid badge was also spotted on the rear of the upcoming Sorento, confirming the availability of gas-electric variants, which will be offered by the automaker for the first time. However, a charging port was not seen anywhere, so it’s likely that the model will feature a conventional hybrid engine instead of a plug-in-hybrid.
Its “4WD” badge also indicates that a gasoline four-cylinder V-6 engine will be the standard powertrain for the American-spec Sorento, with an all-wheel-drive being offered as an option on the hybrid.
The 2021 Kia Sorento is set to debut in Korea this month and is expected to arrive in the U.S. sometime later this year as a 2021 model.
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