Kia video teases next Sorento, likely headed to L.A. Auto Show

Kia has released a video teasing its all-new Sorento crossover SUV that likely will make its North American debut at the L.A. Auto Show this fall.

The concept sketched out in the video will break cover in Korea at the end of August. The next Sorento will then make its official world debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October, Kia said. From there it will probably travel to L.A. for our hometown auto show in November, which often features vehicles that have debuted in Europe at an earlier auto show.

Details on the next-generation Sorento haven’t been released, though it likely won’t deviate much from the current model. The existing Sorento is Kia’s largest crossover SUV, with three rows of seats and either a four-cylinder or V-6 engine.

It competes again fellow full-size crossover SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot.

Kia said styling on the new Sorento will be highlighted by a lower roof and higher beltline (consider that the windowsill), and a more aggressive, muscular stance on the road. An upright grille will meet European pedestrian crash standards.

“These design changes raise the aesthetic sophistication of Kia’s best-selling SUV,” the company said in a statement.

The Sorento’s 106,000 sales in the U.S. for 2013 made it the brand’s second-most-popular vehicle in its lineup, behind only the Optima midsize sedan.