2009 Kia Soul Reviews

What’s the biggest selling Kia in the USA? Bet you didn't think it was the Soul.

The Soul was created to appeal to younger motorists with the desire to personalise their ride to suit their lifestyle.NEWWhile that idea might put the frighteners up older motorists it shouldn't, because under that funky skin lies a really practical small car that makes perfect sense for the times.It's called a hatch, but looks like a wagon and has oodles of inner space for its relatively diminutive exterior dimensions. With its upright style it is easy to get in and out of the Soul, and when you're in you find it's quite roomy with good head and legroom. The squarish shape means those in the rear seat also have plenty of room as well as those in the front seats.The rear seats split and fold down, and the big square opening in the rear allows big, boxy items to be loaded with easily. While the Soul is a practical little device that should appeal across a broad spectrum of buyers it's also funky enough to appeal to the younger set, particularly things like mood lighting, and USB and iPod connectivity.Two engines were offered. One was a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that gave the Soul decent acceleration without being breathtaking; the other was a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel that delivered good fuel economy. There was also the choice of a four-speed auto and a 5-speed manual, the auto a smooth operator, but lacking a sport-shift function. Kia offered the Soul in three variants, starting with the entry-level hatch, before moving up to the 2 and on to the 3 at the top of the range.NOWIt has to be said that the Soul is relatively new to the market and the earliest examples are yet to reach 50,000 km, so it's too early to say conclusively that there aren't any hidden issues that have yet to surface. But at the same time we can say that we receive relatively few complaints about Kia cars in general, which means the future really does look quite rosy for the Soul.A recent spin in a Soul revealed it to be well built and nicely finished, there was nothing about it that would suggest it had any hidden demons. The petrol-powered hatch drove sweetly, with enough punch to hold its own in traffic, the auto transmission was smooth and unfussed. There was no sport-shift function, but it was happy to shuffle along with the lever planted in 'D'.On the road it was quiet, the ride was comfortable, and there was plenty of room inside. For anyone thinking of buying a used SUV it would be worth adding the Soul to the shopping list as it gives you the upright stance of the SUV without all the complicated gubbins that come with the all-wheel drive system. When checking a used Soul prior to purchase check for a service record that confirms it has been properly maintained and make the usual checks for dodgy crash repairs.SMITHY SAYSNeat, roomy and economical little urban cruiser that makes perfect sense.Kia Soul 2009-2010Price new: $22,990 to $30,890Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 91 kW/156 Nm; 1.6-litre turbo-diesel 4-cylinder, 94 kW/260 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 7.0 L/100 km, 5.9 L/100 km (TD)Body: 5-door hatchVariants: Soul, Soul 2, Soul 3Safety: 4-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Toyota Yaris? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010. 

You may laugh at the — lets say ‘brave’ — boxy styling. You may cast scorn at it. But this car is a star. A star because this Kia dares to be different. It's a car straight out of Marketing 101 — a car which is about as far removed as you can get from the whitegoods on wheels some car companies are serving up today.So congratulations to Kia for being brave enough to give us the Soul — a MPV with attitude, aimed squarely at the darlings of Generation Y. No, it doesn't appeal to the masses, but it was never intended to do that anyway. The Soul's role is to make a statement that Kia, known for its cheap and cheerfuls, can be different and can be funky.I'll confess when I first got into the Soul I thought I would be only driving it in the dark of night, least I be seen in something that looks so weird; a bit like a deformed Jeep. I'll also confess that after a week of ignoring the mirth of fellow motorists I actually got to like the Soul and appreciated it for what it is.It isn't such a bad thing to drive. You get a five-star safety rating for two of the three models and a reasonable level of standard kit for money, although with a price range of $20,990 to $30,890 this is no cheapie.The Soul is a niche player in the crowded small car market. Kia so far this year has sold less than 260 of them nationally. To put that in context, Toyota has sold more than 25,000 Corollas this year and Mazda has delivered more than 23,000 of its Mazda3. Still, the cute Kia has outsold Fiat's Ritmo, both Proton models in this segment, the VW Beetle and Renault's Megane.The Soul was conceived in the United States, developed in South Korea and aimed at the Americans and Europeans who probably better appreciate the dare to be different look. Kia has deliberately designed the Soul to be tailored - buyers can add their own personality, with a range of 30 accessories and three option packs. The idea is that no two Souls will be the same. It may not be the most cost effective way for a company to sell a new model, but accessories traditionally carry a high profit margin.So you can order your Soul dressed with LED mood lights, with wild graphics and an interior highlighted in bright red — or if you feel too much out of your comfort zone, there's a safer beige retro chic decor. With plenty of choice it pays to do your homework first before getting to the showroom floor. For a start there are three levels of specification the Soul, the Soul2 and the Soul3 before you add the extras.There's a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine, both offering similar power — 91kW for the petrol and 94kW for the diesel. The diesel wins out on torque — 260Nm versus 156Nm for petrol and as expected the diesel is more fuel efficient at a claimed 5.2 litres per 100km against 6.5l/100km for the petrol. A five-speed manual is standard and a four-speed auto a $2000 option. The manual is the pick of the two transmissions.The base version gets items like remote door locking, power windows and mirrors, a decent sounding, big base, six-speaker MP3/CD player with a handy USB port and iPod compatibility, power door mirrors and basic air conditioning. The safeties are covered by front, side and curtain air bags, active front headrests and anti-lock braking.Missing, surprisingly, are electronic stability and traction control on the entry model, a trip computer, reach adjustment for the steering wheel, multi-stack CD system and cruise control. You do get stability and traction control in the next level up along with fog lamps, while a sunroof and rearview camera are optional. The base model misses out on the five-star rating because it lacks two important safety features.Inside, the cabin, thanks to the Soul's boxy but highly practical design, is spacious with plenty of storage including an underfloor bin in the boot (thanks to the lack of a full sized spare wheel). The test car came dressed in black, but open the glove box or a storage bin on the dashboard and you are hit with vibrant red interior. Its not all good news though, rear vision is seriously hampered by the chunky D pillar.We drove the turbo diesel version and came away impressed with its performance and driveability. It's got good low to mid-range pulling power and for a diesel is notably quiet. For such a tall, boxy design, handling is better than expected although Kia needs to revisit the level of steering assistance provided to give it some needed crispness. At the moment it's all a bit too rubbery. Do I like the Soul? You bet. Would I buy one? I'm too old.

Kia is pushing its new Soul as a funky, trendy, spunky — call it what you will — connection with the lucrative Gen-Y market.After a couple of weeks with the car I suggest they would be better served to let this particular little box on wheels talk to a wider audience. While the Soul is not going to be everybody's cup of tea, and there are certainly some things about it that leave a bit to be desired, to package it as a stylish accessory with tattoos and makeup is underselling its charms.There is no escaping the fact that the Soul — in the case of the test car a Soul3 (that's cubed for marketing purposes) — is a pretty basic box design. Speaking plainly, it is a square on wheels and therein lies a whole lot of its practical charm.Living with the Soul is a day-by-day catalogue of revelations, and most of them are positive. Open the doors — this where the benefits of the box design become evident — and the interior space is truly impressive. Without the need for swooping rooflines and sloping windscreens, style gives way to practicality.There is genuine large-car generosity in head, leg and shoulder room for four with a reasonable expectation of sliding a fifth into the second row of seats.Luggage space in the boot (340 litres) is not overly generous but enough for a solid family shop or a suitcase or two. Fold down the rear seats — a handy 60:40 split — and the available space more than doubles out to 800 litres. Coupled with the gaping opening from the rear hatch and the low load lip the Soul's practicality for carrying a considerable load comes to the fore.That same practical theme applies to the entrance and egress for passengers. The door openings are generous and the seat heights compatible with an age- or arthritis-challenged hip.The cloth trim seats are comfortable, reasonably well bolstered and offer three-way manual adjustment for driver and two-way for passenger. The interior plastics are hard to the touch and there is little about the cabin that could be described as plush. In the higher specification cars, the blacks and greys are lightened by seat treatments that mirror some of the exterior flair.A tilt-only adjustment on the steering wheel is disappointing but the wheel does offer a multi-function capability for the sound system, which is fully i-Pod and MP3 integrated even down to the basic car.Dressing up your Soul is something that will appeal to the designated target market but is likely to have less appeal to those who see through the buzz to what lies within.Still, if you like being the centre of attention the Soul can help you out. A selection of decals — three at this stage, a range of flashy bits and pieces such as a sports kit and extra chrome, 11 exterior colours and three interior treatments are enough to give more than 10,000 possible combinations.In keeping with the Gen-Y theme the external flash has been described as the automotive equivalent of body art — tattoos and eyeliners without the permanency as the decals can be removed and replaced at whim.For the Cubed there is an extra centre speaker and sub-whoofer and a perplexing yet strangely pleasing light show from the door-mounted speakers which pulsate to the music if you so choose. Thankfully, when the mood doesn't require it you can turn this feature off with a dash-mounted dial. The dash display of a large speedo and tacho, fuel and temperature gauge are easy to read while the centre-mounted radio is simply to set up and easy to adjust from the steering wheel.Storage bins are scattered around the car in most of the usual places — in-door, centre console, glove box, in-dash, seat pockets — and a very handy wet box under the floor in the boot. Ideal for dirty shoes, towels or whatever.Six airbags, including curtain bags, are standard across the range, as is anti-lock braking. Stability control is not available on the base model — which weighs heavily against it to the extent that the Soul scores only four ANCAP stars — but the stability program is standard on the Soul2 and Soul3 and with ESC the car scores five safety stars in Europe and New Zealand.Another omission is cruise control, which isn't offered on any grade, although Kia says it will be available on diesel models from August. There is also a heavy impost for the optional reversing camera which comes packaged with an unnecessary sunroof for $2000. The camera, on the other hand is very necessary as the car also doesn't come standard with any reversing sensor or much reverse vision.While we are on things you are going to have to learn to live with should the Soul take your fancy, the choice between petrol and diesel is going to sort the poseurs from those with a more practical bent.The Soul is available with a choice of two engines: a 91kW/156Nm, 1.6-litre DOHC petrol and the 94kW/260Nm, 1.6-litre common-rail diesel already seen in Australia in the award-winning Hyundai i30. At the top spec level the only gearbox choice is the ageing four-speed automatic.Without beating around the bush, the petrol engine is dozy but quiet, the diesel more athletic but a bit Sharapova-like in that you will not have to open the window to know if it is putting in an effort.Personally, the bit of extra noise and lots of extra drive — particularly given the restrictions of the four-speed automatic — is the winner. The better fuel economy of the diesel is also a plus.As a drive the Soul is not a category leader but it is adequate enough that you quickly accept and forgive the occasional harshness of ride in favour of its overwhelming practicality and general fuss-free behaviour.On balance a practical city solution that's good for the soul.

That problem is simply getting bums on seats. That usually takes a hero car. One that is a bit special, whether that's a high-performance star or something so different as to be irresistible. The Kia Soul has gone down the ‘let's be different’ road and it could just be the tonic the company needs.The Soul will be released in Australia in three specification levels and two engines — a 91kW/156Nm 1.6-litre DOHC petrol and the 94kW and 260Nm 1.6-litre common rail diesel already seen in Australian in the award-winning Hyundai i30. Both engines are coupled to the company's ageing 4-speed automatic and slick 5-speed manual.The entry level Soul starts at $20,990 for the manual petrol with a $2000 premium for the automatic. The bottom spec car will not be offered as a diesel.The Soul comes standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD, 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, immobiliser, central locking and 6-speaker MP3 compatible stereo.Step up to Soul2 (Squared) for $23,990 and stability control with traction control, 16-inch alloys, driver's seat height adjustment, roofrails and steering wheel mounted audio controls become standard. You can also get the diesel engine for an additional $3500 and automatic for $2000.At the top of the range the Soul3 (Cubed) is $27,390 (plus $3500 for the diesel) and is available as automatic only. There are also standard 18-inch alloys, additional body mouldings and headlight `eye-liners’, heated external mirrors, privacy glass, an underfloor wet box in the boot and a premium sound system with sub-woofer, external amp, centre speaker and ‘mood’ sensitive speaker lighting. Strangely the roof rails that come standard on the Soul2 are a cost option on the Soul3.Stylistically the Soul is an urban box. That is not to be unkind, some of the most successful of the so-called compact urban vehicles are just that — a basic square block on wheels, and there are some very good reasons for that. But more of that later.From that starting point the trick is to sex-up the basic product. Give it a cool name, trick up the look and add a hook that a cashed-up segment of potential buyers will find hard to resist.For Honda it is the Element, Nissan the Cube and Toyota the Scion Xb — all aimed at relieving the restless and style-conscious Gen-Y of their cash.What is very much in Kia's favour in Australia is that the Soul is the first such car into the market.The hook, in the case of the Soul, is the ability to add some individual flair. This doesn't stretch to the Smart car's interchangeable body panels but there is enough scope to do a soft-core `Pimp My Ride'.A selection of decals — three at this stage, a range of flashy bits and pieces such as a sports kit and extra chrome, 11 exterior colours and three interior treatments are enough to give more than 10,000 possible combinations.In keeping with the Gen-Y theme the external flash has been described as the automotive equivalent of body art — tattoos and eyeliners without the permanency, as the decals can be removed and replaced at whim, for a price.Open the doors — here is where the benefits of the box design become evident — and the interior space is truly impressive.Without the need for swooping rooflines and sloping windscreens style gives way to practicality. The space belongs to the passengers and the all-round vision is impressive.There is genuine large car generosity in head, leg and shoulder room for four. Luggage space is limited but the rear seats split and fold for longer loads or that heavy shopping day.The interior plastics are hard to the touch and there is little about the cabin that could be described as plush.In the higher specification cars the blacks and greys are lightened by seat treatments that mirror some of the exterior flair.Six airbags, including curtain bags, are standard across the range as is anti-lock braking. Stability control is not available on the base model — which weighs heavily against it — but is standard on the Soul2 (squared) and Soul3 (cubed).Another omission is cruise control which isn't offered on any grade, although Kia says it will be available on diesel models from August.On the move the story is one that has become almost a standard in the small and medium car market — pay the premium and get the diesel.The strength of the diesel with its wider torque band more than makes up for the initial noise intrusion and while the four-speed auto is no benchmark it is infinitely better suited to the 1.6-litre common rail diesel than to the similar capacity petrol where it spends much of its time hunting for torque.For both engines, the five-speed manual is a better option but the market has said time and again that when it comes to the crunch it’s an automatic world.Steering is on the light side, with feel and feedback neither exceptional nor dreadful. Adequate may be damning with faint praise, but that is what it is and all most buyers will expect.The driving experience can be improved by saving a few dollars and not opting for the optional 18-inch rims. The Blazer styling may look better but the bigger wheels with their lower-profile tyres make for a harsher ride on the Soul's independent front strut and torsion beam rear suspension package.Settle for the less imposing 16-inch rims with 205/55R16 rubber and you will find it not only more refined but also quieter with less tyre roar.

Kia is certainly banking on it with the new Soul crossover car, which comes with a wardrobe of slick colours, and some rather startling accessories – including decal `tatts’ and black bezel `eyeliner’.That’s coupled with a sharp starting price of $20,990, which gets you into the base model Soul, with a five-speed manual transmission mated to a1.6-litre petrol engine developing 91kW of power at 6300rpm and 156kW of torque at 4200rpm. Opt for the six-speed tiptronic auto and you add $2000 to the price.If you’d prefer the 1.6-litre diesel version borrowed from the Hyundai i30 (94kW at 4000rpm and 260Nm at 1900rpm), it’s an extra $3,500.For base Soul you get 15” steel wheels, space saver spare, six airbags, iPod-compatible audio system and the usual powered bits and pieces.Step into Soul2 (Soul Squared) at $23,190 and you get roof rails, 16” alloy wheels and extra trim. An electronic stability system is an option at this level, but as part of a pack that includes 18” alloys.Soul3 (Soul Cubed) puts you on the 18” wheels and adds all the fruit – but still with plenty of scope to add personal touches like decals, interior trim, bezel garnishes (called ‘eyeliner’ in the catalogue) or a glow-in-the-dark fabric pattern.But oddly, you can’t have cruise control, because Kia says the petrol engine is not calibrated for it, although the diesel will have it later this year.Kia Australia product planning manager Nick Reid describes the base Soul as “a blank canvas” for people to play with, and says that level and the top spec will grab most of the sales.“People will mainly go for the added value of the top level, or they’ll go for the base level and do their own thing,” Reid says.“We’ve got a strong offering of after-market factory accessories and options to dress it up.”Reid admits there’s a bit of a jump to get into the diesel, but says the extra cost is in the materials and manufacture.“There’s a higher cost of raw materials, more hardware and technology like the particulate filter,” he says.Reid expects to be one of the most attractive factors of the Soul to be the size of the five-door body: 4105mm long, 1785mm wide and 1610mm high with a wheelbase of 2550mm and tracks of 1570 front and 1575 rear.It sits on brand new underpinnings – following the concept of the Kia Cerato but not the same platform, and expected to spread to future cars – with a lightweight, tight rear suspension intended to add a sporty taste.“This is the first application of the platform, but it will be the basis for other cars going forward,” Reid says.“The thing that stands out is the overall packaging and dimensions. On paper it’s hard to appreciate the size. “Anybody from 18 to 80 will appreciate the practicality. We’re not just targeting Gen-Y.”Reid admits supply of the cars is tight because of overseas demand, and says Kia Australia will get 500 cars to last to the end of this year. Or perhaps more – head office may be flexible if the market is responsive.“There’s a need to treat the Soul differently (to the normal business case),” he says.“The Soul is about brand building, about changing people’s perceptions and attracting a younger audience.“It’s 500 for the rest of the year, but we would revisit it if the demand was there.”The first thing you notice is how much room there is inside the Soul. It’s a very compact body when you put it up against even the smaller SUVs, but the Soul’s boxy shape means you’ve a lot more usable space than you’d expect – especially towards the headlining.The second thing you notice is how good the visibility is, with the exception of the rear three-quarter outlook, where the thickened C-pillar styling makes it a chore and dictates you’ll be using your side mirrors a lot.Unfortunately, the third thing we noticed was how utilitarian some of the internal plastics were, undermining some of the good first impressions.And while we were expecting to find some bids for funky Gen-Y styling in the features, the blood-red interior of the dash-mounted storage caddy was … well, strangely disturbing. And the glow-in-the-dark logo upholstery is a matter of personal taste, we suppose.But those points aside, the Soul is fitted out cosmetically well for its price range. And Kia expects a lot of buyers to upgrade into the options list.We’d advise against them putting the larger 18” wheels in the shopping trolley, as they undermine the efforts of the suspension over most surfaces, and the standard 16” wheels were fine except for the raw of the hard tyres. Spend your money on better rubber instead of bigger metal.The diesel engine puts out a bit of clatter at the start, but smooths as it warms up. The unit is a winner in its cousin, the Hyundai i30, and while it has a bit more weight to contend with in the Soul it manages the job well in the manual, but tends to lag with the auto.The petrol version can get sluggish under 2500rpm, but keep it ticked above that and its responsive for most tasks. We drove the petrol unit only with the manual transmission – which has light, but good shift feel – and found it worked well with the engine, but suspect that the auto might be too laid-back to get the most out of it.The light steering won’t win any performance drivers, but for the urban round this car will mostly be consigned to – despite Kia aiming for the active Gen-Y market — it should be just fine.The overall impression is that even if the styling isn’t to everybody’s taste, this is a big step forward for Kia, and probably signals more is on the way.