2021 Kia Sorento Drops Heavy Camo, Heads To Nurburgring [UPDATE]

Kia is moving at full speed for the next-gen SUV. Literally and metaphorically.

The Kia Sorento received a minor facelift in 2019, but time moves fast in the SUV/Crossover realm. Our first prototype of the next-generation Sorento was spotted last month with heavy camouflage coverings at the rear and sides. This is a remarkable sighting considering the facelift is still in progress. However, we now have another Sorento sighting at Nurburgring. It’s wearing heavy camouflage coverings on the sides and rear.

These spy photos show what the future Sorento will look like. It will not be a new model, but it will still be familiar to existing Sorento owners. Its overall dimensions are the same and the distinctive C pillar shape can be clearly seen, even though the heavy covers have been removed. The curved sideglass that cuts a familiar slice out of D-pillar can be seen. However, if you closely examine the beltline on the prototype, it angles upwards at the rear. The trim curve down in the current Sorento.

We now see the rear end with a new liftgate. Although the taillights are merely placeholder units, the camo wrap has been removed from the mounting areas. This allows us to see what shape could be for new taillights. The horizontally-oriented lenses on the Sorento may be replaced by something more square. Although we don’t have any concrete information on interior components or engines, rumors suggest that Kia may offer hybrid powertrains.

The new Sorento should be available in the next year, even though the current Sorrento is still fresh from its facelift. We have only seen a few prototypes of the next-generation Sorento. As a 2021 model, the covers will likely lift in 2020.