Kia Motors has revealed the first official images of the new Kia Sorento today, ahead of its first public appearance at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show. The company says that the concept of ‘refined boldness’ inspired its designers, who ‘sought to maintain the robust, tough-looking aesthetic of earlier generations of Sorento, while applying a greater degree of refinement and elegance’.

Kia claims the assertive ‘face’ of the Sorento evolves, too, with a new interpretation of the’s hallmark ‘tiger nose’ grille. Wider and more expansive, it wraps around the integrated headlamps on each side. The headlamps themselves feature a new ‘tiger eye’ LED daytime running light, adding extra focus to the design by depicting the intense impression of the lines around a tiger’s eyes.

In profile, the proportions of the Sorento are adapted to make it appear longer, with shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase. Its new proportions also extend the length of the bonnet, drawing the A-pillar 30mm further back from the front axle for a more ‘cab-rearward’ design. The trailing edge of the hood wraps around the front wings and turns into a single, character line which extends along the side of the Sorento and flows into the new vertical taillights.

Kia says the Sorento sits at the heart of its reinvigorated global SUV line-up, which also includes the Seltos, Stonic, Sportage, and Telluride. The new model is the result of a collaborative effort between all three studios within Kia’s global design network, in Korea, Europe and North America. The fourth-generation model is based on an all-new platform.

The new Sorento will make its debut on 3 March 2020. UK specification, pricing and on-sale date will be announced in due course.