Kia Soul Reviews

Kia has pumped up the bass and swaggered onto the back streets. The Soul is a quirky, tough looking vehicle, the kind you’d want to back you in a fight...when you don’t have enough money or sense of shame to drive a Hummer.The Kia Soul...well, we hate to be redundant, but that’s exactly what it has. Affordable and attractive, it has tons of character and a self-assured drive that will appeal especially to the younger market.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe diesel, automatic Soul + rocks up at $29,990, including 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, multi-function trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, ABS, ESC, VSM, iPod compatibility, Bluetooth, six speakers, speed dependant volume control, and a fun little power bass.TECHNOLOGYThe six-speed automatic, 1.6-litre diesel Soul+ has 94kW at 4000 rpm and 260Nm at 1900rpm. The official fuel combined is 5.9/100km. Our cruise downtown and through the Royal National Park found 9.8/100km, on the motorway we reached a respectable 6.3/100km in this fun, five-seater, front-wheel drive car.DESIGNKia’s Soul has enough style to impress and plenty of options to express. Besides the attractive frame to start with, there are heaps of extras that allow you to articulate your style. From dragon and houndstooth decals to racing stripes and custom coloured interior - the Soul wants to be your mate.Seats front and back are comfortable, with storage nooks and functionally sized drink holders. The airy cabin is hard to fault and cools impressively fast, even on sweltering 40 plus days. There’s a little interior noise when the diesel idles, but that’s not too bad, especially when you activate the power bass and start blasting a beat.  The boot, however, may cramp your style. At 222 litres, there isn’t a lot of space, but fold the 60:40 rear seats, and you get 700 litres – a good amount if you don’t need to carry extra baggage or have little ones in tow. While this small hatch lacks the room to be an ideal family vehicle, it’s great for singles, young couples, or those who have passed the need for child seats.SAFETYWith a five-star ANCAP safety rating, ABS, ESC, VSM, driver and front passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags, and active front headrests, the Soul looks after yours.  DRIVINGYou feel above everything seated high in the Soul. While the wheel initially feels a bit heavy, the Soul responds well and the vehicle’s small size lets you zip around. The height also lends to easy loading and unloading, though you get a bit of body roll on sharp turns.There are blind spots to the sides and back so if you’re going to park a lot in the city, the optional rear park assist may be worth considering. Overall though, the Soul handles well and is a comfortable ride.  VERDICTAn impressive move for Kia, the stylish and unique Soul + diesel is a great vehicle for practical souls wanting to stand out from the crowd.Kia Soul+ 1.6-litre dieselPrice: from $29,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 94kW/260NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 5.9L/100Km, CO2 155g/km

We like this little Soul bus because it has plenty of cheek. The brutally cut-off rear styling is a cute standout and the frontal treatment, recently revamped, has plenty of attitude even if it's a tad "try hard" with over-styled headlights.The Kia Soul started out a few years back as something of an oddity and was available with silly graphics and paint schemes. A reality check and restyle by Kia's design gurus sees Soul present as a viable compact SUV alternative. It fits in among the likes of RAV4, Mitsubishi ASX and the like.We got hold of the top priced $29,990 diesel auto Soul + complete with 18-inch alloys, roof rails, fog lights and adjustable driver's seat height. It is a generously equipped car that goes extremely well using minimal fuel.Plenty of power comes from the 1.6-litre, turbodiesel, four-cylinder driving the front wheels through a six-speed auto. A six-speed manual is standard. Outputs are 94kW/260Nm  same as other vehicles in the Hyundai/Kia range that use this powertrain.The auto is a cracker and is used throughout the Hyundai/Kia lineup. It offers sequential change mode and is both smooth and efficient. The engine has a variable geometry turbo to reduce lag off idle and boost mid-range and top end performance.It's a twin cam engine capable of returning 5.9-litres/100km fuel economy meaning an 800km range from the 48 litre tank.Emissions are minimised through engine technology and a particle filter in the exhaust to give Soul a Euro 5 emissions rating. It also gets a five star crash rating. Hi fives all round if you include the fuel economy figure. Under the funky bodywork is a conventional vehicle with a strut front/torsion beam rear suspension capable of towing up to 1100kg braked.All Souls get numerous storage compartments, Bluetooth phone and audio, decent six speaker sound with power bass as well as a host of other goodies. Seats for five and a large load space give it a practical edge as does the amount of headroom and legroom.The drive feel is all good with plenty of at times noisy performance available at will and especially in the mid range of engine speeds. It has a decent turning circle for city work but the spare is a temporary unit. The vehicle seems to be built on the same platform as Kia's small Cerato hatch and it feels a bit like that to drive offering up a firmish ride, quick steering responses and impressive cornering despite the top heavy look.We found the ride a bit choppy with those low profile 18s but overall, the Soul is an adept little butter box. Kids love it. The whole box and dice is made even better with fixed price servicing and roadside assist.

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. 

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering  would you buy one?Kia's quirky, hard to define, boxy five-seat runaround. It's been updated and the number of models reduced from three to two. Apart from the tiny boot, its an immensely practical little car. Prices start at $21,490 for the 1.6 petrol, but this one will set you back $26,990 which includes the six speed auto. The diesel is another $3000 again.Pretty much everything in the small car and compact SUV segments. This car appeals to a broad cross section of people. All new 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine that cranks out 122kW of power and 200Nm of torque.There's also a 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engine available (1.6 petrol is good for 92kW/157Nm).Like a scalded cat, but uses a little too much fuel for our liking. Apart from the larger engine, the six-speed auto makes a huge difference.Rated at 7.5 litres/100km we were getting 8.3 after about 500km. Has a 48-litre tank and takes standard unleaded. Gets 3.5 out five stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius scores 5). Emits 179g/km Co2.No problems here. Gets a full five stars for safety in Australian crash tests. With large doors and an elevated ridge height, it is easy to get in and out of and could find favour with older drivers for this reason alone. Small boot could be an issue, but rear seats drop down. Plenty of space beneath boot floor and temporary spare with a styrofoam separator with storage compartments (why not just make the boot deeper?)Easy. Accelerates quickly. Upright elevated driving position affords good all round vision. Brakes in our test vehicle were touchy. Misses out on one-touch blinkers. Plenty of hard plastic surfaces in the cabin (what happened to the funky lights that flashed in time with the music?)Yes and no. But then it depends on whether you view it as a small car or something more substantial. Bluetooth, full iPod connectivity but only one 12 volt outlet in the centre console (other Kias get two).Appealing car. We had one a couple of years ago for an extended period. We'd prefer the diesel, but it starts to take the car out of the realm of cheap motoring.

KIA'S distinctive cubemobile range has been given extra spirit with the addition of a model with a new 2.0-litre petrol engine and a six-speed auto transmission. Others in the range also get six speeds, auto or manual, a welcome upgrade from the original four-speed auto.The funky Soul is a big hit in most countries, the US in particular, where elderly drivers like its tall styling with easy entry and exit, and youngsters love its in-your-face chunky looks. For 2012, there's a lusty new-generation 122kW/260Nm 2.0-litre and all models get subtle new styling touches to see the charismatic chariot through its mid-life moments.The range still includes the 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine, which has been slightly tweaked for an extra five kW and one Nm and the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel with its 96kW/260Nm gives a choice of three models, all with six-speed shifters and two equipment levels.Outside, a new grille, head and taillights, side mirrors and restyled wheels give the car a wider, more with-it look.Inside, new designs and materials, much-improved noise reduction and a tilt-and-telescopic steering add up to extra refinement. But bling fans might bemoan the demise of that weird lighting system that bathed the door speakers in a spooky light which pulsed with the beat of the music.Across the range has been boosted with hill-start control and VSM  vehicle stability management. Other standard safety gear includes ABS, ESP, traction control, EDB, BA and front, side and curtain airbags.We bared our upspec 'Soul+' with the NU (that's what they've code-named it) 2.0-litre engine along lengthy stretches of Korean countryside and some seriously congested city traffic, drew lots of admiring looks and here and there cruised along the new expressways with the rev counter reading only 2000 rpm at around 110km/h. That means hardly any effort, therefore less fuel use. Its official figure is 7.5litres/100km, pretty good for a sturdy crossover, we thought.The 1.6 petrol gets 6.5 in manual, 7.3 auto and the diesel 5.2 and 5.9.Nothing has changed in the suspension or steering, so the Soul ran as sweetly as ever, with its better-than-you'd-think handling and comfort. The new motor is keen to be let loose, but like Australia, the Korean roads have many cameras. Main difference is they clearly display theirs.The Soul+ also gets very attractive 18-inch alloys with fat 225/46 silicon tyres, adding to both roadholding and economy. We also liked the leather on the steering wheel, the 'soul shining' cloth seats and the under-floor storage tray.Soul is a good name for the car because it does seem to give its occupants something to smile about. It's spacious, fully featured, safe, beautifully built and despite one or two attempts by rivals, there's nothing quite like it.

KIA'S curiously cubed small car may have Soul, but now it also has some guts.The Korean company has shoehorned a frisky two-litre petrol engine into the Soul, given the range new six-speed transmissions, added a few cosmetic touches and is now hunting for more mature customers.Kia Motors Australia boss Tony Barlow says the funky car has won some hearts among older buyers who appreciate its high hip height for easy access, good visibility and ease of parking.Soul sales are up 22.9 per cent this year to 386, however, it is languishing near the bottom of the light car category, one of the most competitive segments."Around the world it's a big seller, especially in the USA,"  Barlow says. We are looking at ways to appeal to older drivers to improve sales."VALUEThe base model 1.6-litre six-speed manual model remains $21,490 despite going to a sixth speed and adding vehicle stability management and hill assist control. The automatic adds $2200. The top-of-the-range Soul+ diesel manual is $27,990 up $800 while the auto adds $2000. It also now gets 18-inch alloys and a luggage cover.The two-litre petrol model comes with the same level of specification as the diesel and costs $26,990 with the standard six-speed auto. The only real competitor is the equally well-specced Toyota Rukus which starts at $27,490, but doesn't feature a diesel variant. It's also a bigger car and comes with a more powerful 2.4-litre petrol engine.TECHNOLOGYKia has made no changes to the mechanical underpinnings, only the addition of the new "NU" generation two-litre engine with 122kW and 200Nm of torque. The base 1.6-litre petrol engine gets a minor power and torque improvement to 96kW and 157Nm while the diesel retains 94kW and 260Nm.The five-speed manual has been replaced with a six-speed box in the base and diesel models, while they all get a six-speed auto, up from the previous four-speed shifter.Fuel economy has marginally decreased in the petrol auto by 0.3 litre per 100km to 7.3L/100km, while the diesel figures remain unchanged at 5.2L/100km (manual) and 5.9L/100km (auto). The two-litre model returns respectable figures of 7.5L/100km.Inside, they still get a good suite of technology including Bluetooth, cruise control, iPod and MP3 connectivity. From a low-tech standpoint, the Soul now features reach-adjustable steering that makes it easier for drivers of any size to find a comfortable position.DESIGNStyling remains a "love-it-or-hate-it" proposition. Until Nissan decides to bring in the Cube, Its only style comparison is the Rukus. It's hard to make a brick look good, but the influence of chief designer Peter Schreyer is apparent in the new grille, headlights, taillights and snarly face.It's 15mm longer in the nose, 12mm wider in the rear track, but otherwise has the same dimensions. The interior has also been tidied up and Kia has paid attention to damping noise, vibration and harshness for a more subtle and comfortable ride. Thankfully, they have removed the gimmicky disco lights from around the speakers.SAFETYIt already comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and is unlikely to be re-tested as the structure is unchanged. It has six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags, and crash-preventative driver aids. It's a shame it still comes with a space-saver spare, but there is room for a full-size wheel under the cargo floor.DRIVINGIt's difficult enough negotiating the chaotic left-hand-drive traffic of South Korea in a LHD car, so spare a thought for our west-to-east and back again crossing of the Korean peninsula in right-hand-drive Australian-spec models.Thankfully, the quiet cabin, comfortable ride and no-fuss controls made the job a lot easier. The greatest advantage of a squarish car is that the windows are as far as the car's body goes in every direction except forward. That makes judging its girth a lot easier in tight lane-changing traffic.Performing radical u-turns across several lanes of rush-hour traffic is also a doddle with a tight turning circle. But most of our drive was outon the smooth country highways where the only noise was from the music played through convenient Bluetooth audio-streaming.There is little road or wind noise, which is a surprise given its non-aerodynamic shape, and the two-litre engine only intrudes under heavy acceleration with a pleasant thrumming.It's no race car, but the new petrol engine provides plenty of oomph for passing, hills and sudden lurching into gaps in the traffic. It is perfectly mated to the new fast-changing and almost seamless six-speed auto. Ask for speed and it's there without fuss.Despite pushing fairly hard on occasions, it returned fuel economy figures of 7.9L/100km. The cabin is a pleasant place to be with a commanding view of the road and oodles of legroom in the back, even with a lanky driver up front. Vision is good everywhere except the rear three-quarters, but the big mirrors fill in with plenty of rear coverage.VERDICTSome say it's funky, some say it's quirky, but it's certainly practical and versatile. Now the Soul comes with a bit more power, it should appeal to a broader range of drivers.KIA SOULOn sale: NowPrices: $21,490 (Soul 1.6L man + $2200 for auto); $26,990 (Soul+ 2.0); $27,990 (diesel + $2000 for auto)Warranty: 5yr/unlimited kmService: 15,000kmEngines: 1.6L 4-cylinder petrol, 95kW/157Nm; 2L 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW/200Nm; 1.6L 4-cylinder diesel 94kW/260NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual and auto (2.0 auto only)Economy: 6.5L/100km (1.6L man), 7.3 (1.6 auto), 7.5 (2L), 5.2 (diesel man), 5.9 (diesel auto)CO2: 156g/km (1.6 man), 170 (1.6 auto), 179 (2L), 137 (diesel man), 155 (diesel auto)Dimensions: 4120mm (L), 1785mm (W), 1610mm (H), 2550mm (WB)

Raised in the digital age, they expect to have 24/7 accessibility to their friends and family as well as the must-have iPods and internet savvy smart phones.  Their needs also extend to their cars. They want the latest in-car gadgets but in many cases are not prepared to pay for it, according to a JD Power survey published in the US last year.The survey of more than 19,000 car buyers also found that today's buyer expects standard features but may not necessarily use them.  About half of car owners surveyed us an auxiliary input jack for their portable digital music player in their vehicle, while about 20 per cent use a wireless FM transmitter.Almost two-thirds want the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle's speakers, while 27 per cent say they want ‘smart’ phone music capabilities mated to the car stereo.Other findings show that 68 per cent of owners use their vehicle's in-car Bluetooth, compared with 47 per cent who have this feature but do not use it.Entertainment and connectivity related devices are among the most desired technologies for buyers, leading to companies like Ford introducing Bluetooth and voice activation controls as standard in its Fiesta LX and Zetec.To test the JD Power theory, Carsguide gave four Gen Y buyers an opportunity to try out several cars specifically aimed at them.  After spending a few days checking them out, they came back with some surprising findings.What Gen Y wants in a carSteering wheel mounted audio controlsPowerful amplifierSub-wooferMood-lightingMetallic finish dashboardPrivacy glassPersonalised seat trimAirbagsiPod connectivityUSB/CD/MP3 connectivityVolkswagen Beetle CabrioKatherine FirkinThis car looks so cute I easily got as much enjoyment out of seeing it parked in my driveway as I did actually driving it.  With its chic exterior and sleak styling, the VW Beetle Cabrio looks more like a fashion accessory then a practical mode of transport.Getting behind the wheel for the first time is a bit daunting, unless you're used to driving in a bubble.  The curved dashboard seems to stretch out endlessly, making it difficult to perceive the distance between yourself and the car in front of you.And like every good fashion accessory, what it adds in looks and style, it lacks in practicality.  The biggest shortfall is the size of the boot. The compartment is so small you'd be struggling to ever pack more then a plane's hand-luggage allowance, and trying to wiggle your bags in and out of the compartment is a nightmare.The visibility is also poor.  While you do eventually get used to guessing how much space is left in front of you, don't even try to reverse the car when the top is down.With the top lowered, rearward vision is almost totally blocked - which possibly explains why the car has such an outrageously loud horn.  Even with the roof up, over-the-shoulder visibility is still poor.Lowering the roof is also not as easy as you'd expect. It was disappointing to discover you have to muscle the roof on and off with a twist-and-rotate action - not the easy click-of-a-button motion I was expecting.But for all the difficulties getting the roof lowered, the drive well and truly makes up for it.  The Cabrio is relatively smooth and easy to drive.  Cruising along an open road with the top down is magic, and you can't help but notice admiring glances from other drivers.The stereo has good sound quality, and I was relieved to find an AUX port for my iPod and other bits and pieces.  The car also feels sturdy and safe, and seems to be fairly fuel efficient.The driver's seat is comfortable, although the same can't be said for your passengers - who'll either be squashed against the glove box in the front, or have their legs cramped in the back. It's certainly not the most practical car, but it sure is fun.  And if you value looks and personality over practicality - and who doesn't? - you'll be hard-pressed not to fall in love.LikesThe overall look and feelThe sound systemThe easy manoeuvrabilityDislikesThe tacky plastic flowers that come as standardThe poor visibility, especially when the top is downThe slight groaning noise the car often makes when you take your foot off the breakVolkswagen Beetle CabrioPrice: From $37,700Engine: 2.0-litreEconomy: 8.8 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front and side head airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, electronic stability control, vase with flower, 10-speaker CD stereo, iPod adaptor, electric windows If you like this try this: Peugeot 207CCNissan MicraNathan Mawby‘THAT'S so cute’ are not words most guys want to hear about their car.  If the veiled snickering from the men I showed it to and universal adoration from the women are anything to go by, the Nissan Micra is definitely marketed at young female drivers.Having said that, guys, if you're prepared to embrace your inner-woman (just borrow a Dirty Dancing soundtrack before you hit the road and you'll be right) this is a car that will grow on you.  A ‘make-up’ mirror in the driver's side sunvisor left my hair looking the best it has in years and a surprisingly gutsy 1.4-litre, four cylinder engine (hello, fuel economy!) was versatile enough to zip around the city and hit the freeway.The first thing to note is that the Micra is tiny, microscopic even.  Perfect if you're going to be driving around the city, or inner suburbs - not so good if you're the designated driver and need leg room to stop back-seat fights.Meanwhile responsive steering helps with maneuverability in traffic, narrow lanes, the fast food drive-through and parking.  I even found myself seeking out the dreaded reverse parallel park in heavy traffic just for funsies!Thanks to clever design you can see everything going on outside the car - unfortunately that also means everything inside is on display.  Nissan balance this with clever hidey holes: a sliding tray under the passenger seat and the boot is completely concealed from the outside world.But if like many Gen-Y's you run your life from your iPhone, hiding the AUX port in the back of the glove box could present a problem when you have to sift through it to find your phone.  But no matter what you listen to, a robust sound system means you can listen to it loud - a necessity for Australia's iPod affected youth.There are few basic issues, sacrificing your masculinity aside, that give you pause, however.  No tachometer, having to hit a button to see the time (how many Gen-Y's actually wear a watch?) and no obvious temperature gauge probably won't bother the targeted drivers.The absence of side and curtain airbags as a standard feature should (they are available as part of the City Collection Option, though).  Sure there are "blokier" options out there - but if you picked one of them you'd probably have to give back that Dirty Dancing soundtrack...LikesManoeuvrabilitySound systemVisibilityDislikesNo tachometerNon-standard side and curtain airbagsGender biasNissan MicraPrice: From $15,990Engine: 1.4-litreEconomy: 6.8 litres/100kmFeatures: Four-speed automatic, Dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, MP3 player input, CD stereo, front seat storage draw If you like this try this: Holden BarinaKia SoulTravis KennedyTaking a brand new Kia Soul for a spin was easy to accept - especially given the fact my regular drive is an old Honda Legend with 300,000km on the clock and the squeaks and creaks that goes with the longevity. I'm very much an A-to-B type of driver.  I rarely venture into long drives, unless I have to. The Soul is not the type of car that would normally appeal to me -- a bloke in his early-twenties, who would probably call it "a bit of a girl's car".  It's just not the type of car most hot-blooded young men would choose if part of the buying criteria was to turn the collective heads of the opposite sex.It won't: But I swallowed my pride and hit the road. Without overstating the obvious, the car is a bit of a box.  It's almost as if it has an identity crisis -- on one hand it looks like a 4WD and, on the other, it has small car aesthetics.It makes a bold impression on the road with its unique look and, interestingly, I noticed many drivers paying it quite a lot of attention.  The Soul is the perfect commuter, giving great flexibility moving in and out of bumper-to-bumper traffic.Parking is a cinch, but beware blind spots caused by chunky rear end of the car. They can be dangerous, especially when reversing.  The 1.6-litre diesel engine makes a noticeably loud chugging sound, but all is forgiven by its excellent fuel economy. The Soul handles well on the open road.It does lack a little instantaneous grunt, especially when on the freeway, but it's still zippy for most regular traffic situations.  The lack of cruise control is a little annoying.Inside, there is a surprising amount of room for the driver, but back seat passengers may struggle for leg room. The boot is small, but the rear seats fold flat to open up reasonable amount of space for most items.  Tech-savvy buyers will love the interior features - the inbuilt USB port for iPod connectivity and the rather punchy sound system are impressive.I like listening to my music loud and this system more than met my expectations.  The speakers also have red lights that pulse to the beat of the music or can be toned down to a softer-mood setting -- a little bit tacky, but it makes night driving more interesting.The Soul won't appeal to everyone and, being a young man, I feel it's more suited to the female market or middle-aged singles looking for a nippy, economical car.  It's a bit of a grower, though -- the more I drove it, the more it won me over.LikesHandles very wellEasy to parkEconomical dieselDislikesRear blind spotsNo cruise controlRear passenger leg room is less than generous.Kia Soul Price: From $20,990Engine: 1.6-litre petrol or dieselEconomy: 5.2 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front, side and curtain airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, central locking, MP3 CD stereo with six-speakers, Aux/iPod input If you like this try this: Fiat 500Honda JazzAntonia MageeBeing at the upper end of Generation Y, I knew the Jazz VT-i was not for me as soon as I pulled onto Swan St, Richmond in pouring rain on a Friday night only to see several saturated people stop and stare as I drove past in the blazing yellow vehicle.I know that is just the colour, but I am part of an apparently fickle generation and the way the car looked was important to me.  On first glance inside though, the Jazz had everything a Gen Y driver would be looking for.The extra windows, huge windscreen and big dashboard made me feel as though I was in a much bigger car, the back seat was roomy and the boot was much larger than it looked.  The technology was on the pulse, with a MP3 plug for one's iPod and a quality stereo and CD player.And as one would expect from any car in the new generation of excessive paraphernalia, the storage space was excellent.  There are several pockets and holders for coffees, phones, CDs, iPods and sunglasses.It was also extremely nifty driving around the streets of the CBD and parking in a tight spot was a dream.  But the real test for me was when it was pushed to its upper limits.Four months after selling my own car I was, finally, able to hit the open road without relying on someone else to pick me up and drop me home.  After the impressive feel while driving around the city, the car was a tad unimpressive on the freeways of Melbourne. The problem was once I hit 100km/h.That is the speed limit, I hear you say, but the VT-i just didn't feel completely comfortable going even that fast.  The 1.5-litre four felt a little buzzy and in need of a sixth gear to cope. It made me feel like I was straining the car.There is no doubt it is fuel efficient around town - Honda says the 1.5-litre manual VT-i will sip 6.4 litres for every 100km - but the little hatch ran out of legs while out on the open road.  This could be a problem for a young person doing a long daily commute, but for a student or worker not having to travel too far, you would be hard pressed to go past the Jazz for a zippy, modern city car.It felt just a tinge tinny, but to be fair it ticks all the boxes for a $18,000-plus car. All in all, this would be a great inner-city run around vehicle.LikesExtremely spacious for a small carGreat for parkingiPod accessDislikesGrunt- just didnt have anyFuel efficiencyLack of legroom when driver seat pushed backHonda JazzPrice: From $16,990Engine: 1.3-litre or 1.5-litreEconomy: 5.8 litres/100km (VTi/VTi-S 6.4 litres/100km)Features: Dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes, CD stereo with MP3, auxiliary jack, air conditioning, 10 cupholders If you like this try this: Suzuki Swift

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.