EXTRA space and a raft of clever features are hallmarks of the new third generation Sorento SUV unveiled by Kia.

The Korean brand has gone for a more sophisticated, swept-back profile for latest model - with the emphasis on deeply sculpted surfaces.

Looking more bold than before, the Sorento boasts long, wrap-around headlamps and more prominent fog-lamps, as well as a larger, more upright ‘tiger-nose' grille with the three-dimensional diamond pattern first featured on the 2013 Kia Cross GT concept.

Kia says the new sleeker look is also achieved through the car's increased length, reduced height and extra width.

It's inside though where some of the most significant improvements are to be found, courtesy of a more luxurious cabin with soft touch materials plus a wider instrument cluster and wrap-around dashboard.

There's also a Swiss watch-inspired centre console, which incorporates Kia's latest human-machine interface technologies.

Depending on market, customers will be able to specify the interior in either single-tone (Saturn Black) or two-tone (Saturn Black and Stone) colour schemes with cloth or leather trim. Brown or light grey colour schemes in leather trim will be offered as an option.

Compared to the previous-generation model, there's better interior space and a larger cargo area.

Available in five or seven-seat versions, the new Sorento has 40/20/40 second row split folding for improved versatility, with a higher folding centre armrest and the second row seats in the seven-seat version are also equipped with ‘remote folding' controlled by two levers in the side of the cargo bay.

Depending on market, new features will include an Around-View Monitor with four cameras helping the driver to manoeuvre when parking, and a Smart Power Tailgate.

The latter opens the tailgate automatically when the key is ‘sensed' in close proximity to the boot, so owners can slide their shopping bags or heavy objects straight into the vehicle.

Though the UK engine line-up has yet to be confirmed, Europe will get 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 2.4-litre GDI petrol units.

Following its unveiling in Korea, the Sorento will make its European premiere at next month's Paris Motor Show.