It's not certain that these images show the production-ready version of the Kia Mesa concept (more here), but the perfidious spy snappers at Carparazzi believe this is the very same.

The subject of the photos was registered in Michigan and shows some of the styling details of the concept vehicle. It's the same general size as the Hyundai Veracruz, which will likely be the donor car for the Mesa.

Style is very much in the mould of an American SUV and is quite a bit more angular than the Euro-wannabe Sorento, for example.

As mentioned in our previous article, there's enough room under the bonnet for a V8 and that's almost the default for an SUV of this size and distinction in the US. Perhaps a V6 will be the standard engine for international markets and the V8 will be available as an option.

Will it come to Australia? It may depend on whether Kia thinks there's a local market for it and whether the Mesa can be introduced without cannibalising sales from the Sorento. Stay tuned...

-- with Carparazzi

To comment on this article click here