Kia Sorento Spy Photos in the Desert

After the current Sorento underwent its midlife facelift in 2006, Kia has now begun testing the second generation SUV as seen here in these latest shots taken in the American South West.

In pursuit of more car-like feel, the Sorento will abandon its current body-on-chassis configuration in favor of a unibody platform that will also be shared by the Hyundai Veracruz.

As seen in the photos, the Sorento will also grow in size but won’t accommodate three rows of seating. This will be reserved for the bigger Kia Borrego.

Engines will include the same 2.4-liter and 3.3-liter V6, however, a revised 3.8-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission could be made available later.

Production will begin at Kia's new West Point, Georgia plant in 2009