KIA Soul

	KIA Soul
	Debut: 2008 Maker: KIA Predecessor: no

Published on 22 Oct 2008

Soul does not intend to be a conventional supermini hatchback. Kia wants it to appear funky and fashionable...

Korean car makers want to depar from cheap cars manufacturing. As any marketing executives can tell, the only way to earn more profit is to build your brand image and add higher value into your cars. To do that, Kia hired a very experienced design chief called Peter Schreyer from Volkswagen-Audi. He upgraded the design capability of Kia and started introducing some really interesting designs, such as Cee’d and Procee’d. These designs did not break the molds set by European leaders, but they can be seen as a solid starting base that pave the way for more radical designs to come. And here it is…

Soul does not intend to be a conventional supermini hatchback. Kia wants it to appear funky and fashionable, the two elements that previous Kias have yet to attempt. Very much like a Mini or Fiat 500, buyers can customize their Soul with tough plastic body clad, fancy design wheels, spoilers, chromed details, color coded interior and many interior features. Hopefully this will earn extra money for Kia. Besides, the Soul is designed to be a tall body, supermini-SUV crossover to attract young people. Its high-set bonnet, side air vents and blackened roof pillars are designed to appear like Range Rover. Ground clearance is 45 mm higher than conventional hatchbacks, while seating position is 135 mm higher to give a commanding view over the road, therefore successfully hides its supermini nature.

Very much like Nissan Cube and Toyota bB...

The Soul is very tall, predictably. Luckily, it has wide tracks and a stiff suspension setting to keep body roll tightly controlled. The new platform underpinning it will be shared with the forthcoming Hyundai i20 and a future Kia supermini, though everything seems conventional. Its handling and steering are reasonably good rather than remarkable. Ride quality is poor on rough surfaces due to the stiff suspensions. As a result, the optional 225/45 R18 tires are best to be avoided.

Considering the power units it offers, there is no need for such aggressive rubbers. The most powerful engine is a 2.0-liter 16V VVT with 142 horsepower. It is unusually large (and thirsty) for this class. European car makers would not equip a 2.0 engine into a supermini. Kia did this perhaps because the Soul is rather heavy (from 1210-1285 kg). Anyway, I don’t think this engine has too much advantage over the 126hp 1.6 turbo diesel, which is torquey, refined and far more frugal. The base 1.6 petrol with 126hp feels difficult to cope with its weight. Therefore only one engine worth considering.

High driving position offers SUV-like commanding view...

The best aspect of Soul is not its driving dynamics or looks, but the cabin. Although it can’t match European superminis for quality plastics, it has superior space. It can easily accommodate 6 ft 2 in guys both front and rear, thanks to the long wheelbase and tall roof. Admittedly, this car is larger and heavier than other superminis. The interior design is also fresh, funky and well layout. You can have some interesting features like “glow fabrics” and very good sound system (with MP3 / USB connection of course). Boot space is normal, but the back seat are easy to fold flat to expand cargo capacity.

All these make Kia Soul like Nissan Cube or Toyota bB. They do not shine in dynamics and quality, but they are spacious, versatile, gimmicky and funky. Korean has always been following the footprints of Japanese. This is just another example.

Verdict: