4 Minutes
Kia momentum and a bold design shift
Kia America has been on a roll, stacking sales records while rolling out striking new models. Fresh off the global premiere of the second generation Telluride at the 2025 LA Auto Show, the brand celebrated record deliveries — 705,000 units year-to-date through October and 69,000 in October alone — a clear sign that buyers are responding well to Kia's latest design language and product push.
That new language is polarizing: the 2027 Telluride wears a more rugged, boxy face that departs from the smoother, V6-era silhouette. Some applaud the fresh, assertive look; others miss the V6 and question the decision to pivot toward turbocharged inline-four engines only.
From pixels to possibility: a Sorento rendered in Telluride's image
Digital artist NYMammoth, known for imaginative Kia and Hyundai renderings, has envisioned a fourth-generation Sorento adopting the Telluride's tougher styling cues. The virtual project imagines a 2028 Sorento with a more vertical, squared-off profile, Telluride-inspired front fascia and slim boomerang-shaped LED taillights.
This is unofficial artwork, but it illustrates a plausible direction for Kia's midsize crossover. The current MQ4 Sorento has been on sale since 2020 and received a 2024 facelift to align with Kia's newer, boxier aesthetic. A 2027 arrival for the 2028 model year is widely expected, which gives designers time to harmonize family styling across Kia's three-row lineup.
Key styling cues in the rendering
- Vertical grille proportions and a flatter hood line
- Pronounced wheel arches and a squarer greenhouse
- Slim, horizontal LED taillights with a boomerang motif
- Simpler, more rugged bumper treatments and protective cladding
"The render imagines a Sorento that reads more robust and headline-grabbing," says an industry observer. "It feels like Kia is leaning into a consistent, confident identity across its SUVs."
Performance and market positioning
Kia's move away from the V6 toward turbocharged inline-four powertrains is already a talking point. While the Telluride will debut without the V6, the Sorento could follow with a mix of turbocharged gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options to preserve fuel economy and torque delivery for towing-minded buyers.
If the Sorento adopts the Telluride aesthetic, it would further blur lines between Kia's midsize and flagship crossovers while strengthening brand recognition against rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer. Expect Kia to emphasize technology, interior space, and towing capability to defend Sorento sales.
Why this matters
The potential design shift is more than cosmetics. A consistent family face helps with showroom appeal, marketing clarity, and perceived value. For buyers who favor rugged styling and modern SUV cues, a boxier Sorento could be a strong draw. For traditionalists who preferred the previous, softer lines and V6 grunt, the change may be harder to accept.
Highlights:
- Kia's U.S. sales momentum provides cover for bold design moves
- Renderings suggest the 2028 Sorento would inherit Telluride details
- Powertrain strategy likely focuses on turbo fours, hybrids, and PHEV options
Whether Kia plants the Telluride look across its model range or keeps it unique, renderings like NYMammoth's give us a clear preview of what a boxy, rugged Sorento could look like. What do you think — bold evolution or a step too far? Share your thoughts below.
Source: autoevolution
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