DEATH VALLEY, California - Spy photographers caught Kia engineers testing the 2010 Sorento this week in the hot desert, preparing the new car-based SUV for public consumption in early 2010.

The new Sorento will share a platform and engine options with the Hyundai Santa Fe, including a 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder and 3.3-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission for the U.S, and a 2.2-liter diesel engine in Europe.

Although the 2010 Sorento prototype is heavily camouflaged, sources say the new SUV's styling theme is based on the Kia Kue concept vehicle, first seen at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

The new Sorento will be built in Korea and in the U.S. alongside the Santa Fe at Kia's future manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia. The West Point plant is expected to open in November 2009.