KIA has revealed the first official teaser images of its new Sportage - the fifth incarnation of the brand's most popular SUV.

Due to be revealed in July in Korea, Kia says the new Sportage has been crafted to establish new benchmarks.

The new model has an advanced exterior and interior design, connectivity tech, with responsive and efficient powertrains.

In September, and for the first time in the model's 28-year history, Kia Europe will unveil a dedicated European version of the Sportage which will be built at the company's factory in Slovakia.

Kia's new design language - Opposites United - which was revealed earlier this year, is at the core of the Sportage and influences every aspect of its appearance and character.

The early images hint at an assertive and cutting-edge presence for the SUV with a muscular stance and a strong yet refined silhouette.

Notable new details include crisp, taught character lines that ripple across the surfaces with a detail-oriented black grille graphic spanning the width of the face.

At the rear, muscular shoulder lines drop gently to meet slim daytime-running lamps, which flank the new Kia logo and Sportage emblem.

The interior design sketch reveals a driver-focused space ‘that plays with boldness in character, softness in qualities and innovation in technology which leads to an integrated curved display, says the car maker.

"Taking inspiration from an ethos we created where nature meets modernity, the new Sportage challenges design norms with an adventurous yet contemporary exterior and a beautifully detailed and pioneering interior," said Karim Habib, senior vice president and head of Kia's Global Design Centre.

"With new Sportage, we didn't simply want to take one step forward, but rather move to a completely different level within the SUV class."

More details regarding design features of the all-new Sportage will be unveiled in the coming weeks, as well as information on the European version and UK specification.