KIA has released the first official images of its new Sorento large SUV ahead of its first public appearance at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

The new Sorento has sharper lines making it noticeably more sculpted than its more round-edged predecessor.

With more contemporary geometric details and swept-back, elongated proportions, the Korean car maker says the new Sorento has a more confident poise and looks more mature.

The Sorento has a new interpretation of Kia's hallmark ‘tiger nose' grille which is 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.

In profile, the Sorento appears longer, with shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase.

Its new proportions also extend the length of the bonnet, drawing the windscreen pillar 30mm further back from the front axle for a more ‘cab-rearward' design.

The trailing edge of the bonnet 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.

The Sorento sits at the heart of Kia's latest global SUV line-up, which also includes the Stonic,and Sportage in the UK.

The new model is the result of a collaborative effort between all of Kia's three studios within its global design network, in Korea, Europe and North America.

The fourth-generation model is based on an all-new platform, which Kia says raises standards in the midsize SUV segment for space, practicality, efficiency and quality.

The new Sorento will make its debut on March 3 at the Geneva show and UK specification, pricing and on-sale date will be announced shortly.