SPY PICS: Tougher looks for 2021 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is due for a major change after six years of the current model's presence in the Australian market.

Six years is the normal life-cycle for any Kia model, and the current Sorento has been on sale here since 2015. So we can reasonably expect a new model to land in Australia during 2021, or perhaps even earlier, since these spy photos reveal that the Korean manufacturer is putting the final touches to that all-important successor. And media outlets overseas are reporting a projected global launch early next year for the new Sorento.

Underneath the camouflage the new Sorento, which is understood to be codenamed MQ4, has adopted stronger, more angular looks than the current Sorento – particularly around the nose. More conventional styling cues around the flanks and the glasshouse contrast with what may be quite a radical departure around the rear, if the heavy cladding around the tailgate, D pillars and rear quarter panels is any indication.

There are rumours flying around that the new Sorento will offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. One Korean media outlet has even speculated that the new SUV will be made available with hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Even if that proves to be true, it's not certain that we'll see an FCV variant of the Sorento in the local market.

But don't bet against the hybrid and plug-in variants...