The current BMW G05 X5 has been well received by customers from around the world. So it comes as no surprise that some automakers are using the new X5 as a benchmark for their own SUVs.

In a recent set of spy photos, Kia was spotted doing some tests with the upcoming 2021 Sorento, the SUV being heavily camouflaged to keep prying looks away from its shapes. Nothing out of the ordinary so far but, when you look closer, you notice there’s an Alpine White BMW X5 right next to it. Most likely, the X5 is used for side-by-side testing, a practice not unusual in the automotive industry.

The X5 is a great car to begin with so creating a Sorento that could match up to it would definitely paint me impressed. Kia and Hyundai have come a long way since they first arrived on the scene and they are causing some waves in the industry. The Kia Stinger GT, for example, has been getting glowing reviews while the Genesis G70 followed the same path.

Most likely, nobody will even cross-shop between the X5 and the Sorento, but the fact that Kia aims so high with its products does say a lot about how ambitious they are. If you are considering a new SUV and the Sorento is on your list, you should know it will most likely arrive next year as a 2021 model.

Sales of BMW cars in the United States have been clearly aided by the ever-growing SUV/crossover market. Sales have increased 1.7 percent in May 2019 for a total of 27,109. BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle continues to be the best-selling BMW model in the U.S. with nearly 6,200 units sold in May 2019. BMW Sports Activity Vehicles in total – including X1 through X7 – account for 56% of BMW sales YTD.