‘Hipster’ and ‘Tallboy’ are just two of the nicknames already given to Kia’s dynamic new SOUL CUV (Compact Utility Vehicle).
Car Showroom will give the SOUL another title: ‘Value-For-Money Champion’.
That’s because with retail pricing from just $20,990, the Soul delivers an overflowing list of features, nice driving dynamics, a surprisingly spacious interior and of course style, style, style.
What You Get
Kia is targeting the SOUL at young-at-heart families but mostly the difficult ‘Gen Y’ category
Research says ‘Gen Y-ers’ are the most self-absorbed, what’s-in-it-for-me generation since the hippies. That means the every-day is not for them and hence the individual customization that is the real headline of the Kia SOUL.
Kia’s tag-line is ‘No Two SOULs Are The Same’ and this is supported by three option packs and no less than 30 customisable accessories including body colors, striping and interiors.
When pressed, Nick Reid, Kia Australia’s Product Manager reckons about 1,000 different combinations are available and if the specific combo you want cannot be found in Australia, Kia will build one for you and have it here within six to nine weeks.
But it’s the ‘out-there’ nature of some of the accessories (and standard features!) that make the SOUL a ground-breaking new car – how do optional 18-inch wheels on this compact vehicle sound?
Underneath the remarkable styling is a five-door hatch back powered by a choice of 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engines.
There are three models – SOUL, SOUL2 and SOUL3 – the first available only with the petrol engine while SOUL2 and SOUL3 can be had with both diesel and petrol powerplants. Range-topping SOUL3 models are standard with a four-speed automatic transmission while the others offer a choice of the automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
Under The Hood
Styling isn’t the only SOUL headline. This the first Australia appearance of the 1.6-litre UII series CRDi diesel engine designed by Kia in Russelsheim, Germany (an earlier generation is available in Hyundai’s i30).
A twin overhead camshaft (DOHC) design with common-rail injection, the diesel delivers 94kW of power at 4,000rpm and peak torque of 260Nm at 1,900rpm. Combined cycle fuel consumption is as low as 5.2l/100kms and CO2 emissions just137g/km.
The engine complies with the tough Euro 4 regulations and in fact the diesels fitted to automatic SOULs gain a particulate filter which makes them Euro 5 compliant.
Also making its Australian debut is the all-alloy 1.6-litre petrol engine from Kia’s Gamma family. It’s also a DOHC design and delivers 91kW of power at 6,300 rpm and peak torque of 156Nm at 4200 rpm. Combined cycle fuel economy is as low as 6.5l/100kms and emissions 154g/km.
The Interior
SOUL’s exterior ‘Wow Factor’ and extensive individual customization carries on with the interior. For instance range-topping SOUL3 models come equipped with an upgraded 315-watt eight-speaker sound system complete with ‘Mood Lights’ in the front door-mounted speakers. Controlled by an adjustable switch, these lights can pulse to the beat of your chosen music, give static light or are auto dimming.
All SOUL models feature iPod compatible audio systems.
There’s the handy ‘centre stack’ console, thick-rimmed four-spoke steering wheel and three-dial instrument cluster. The driving position feels high like a mid-size or full-size SUV.
Even at first glance, the interior space looks enormous (the SOUL is classed as a small car in Australia). Kia says the SOUL delivers more space in every measurement than the Suzuki SX4 or Nissan Dualis.
Luggage space is 800 litres with the rear seat folded (it also offers a 60/40 split) or 340 litres with the rear seat in place. SOUL3 models gain an underfloor storage area for wet items in the boot.
Exterior & Styling
SOUL’s original concept was created at Kia’s North American design studio in California by a team lead by Tom Kearns and debuted at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show.
Former Volkswagen Group Chief Designer, Peter Schreyer joined Kia eight months later and – very enthusiastic about taking the SOUL to production – he shifted refinement of the concept’s design to the company’s European design center in Frankfurt where Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer for Kia Europe, took charge.
Guillame’s SOUL Burner, SOUL Diva and SOUL Searcher appeared at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March before Schreyer unveiled the production version at the Paris Motor Show in October last year (2008).
SOUL is about the same length as other light segment cars (4.1 metres) but at 1.6-metres in height, the base of the windscreen is 135mm higher than other compacts and its ground clearance is 45mm greater.
The glossy black covers over the A-pillars and coating on the B and C-pillars (Kia says they cost twice as much to produce as conventional designs) are intended to give the glass a ‘wraparound’ look reminiscent of ‘wraparound’ sunglasses. Kia is right – it does – and that’s money well spent.
At the rear, the high-mounted vertical combination tail-lights with clear outer lenses set in a body-coloured panel dominate the look.
It all defies many current automotive conventions…and it’s all very well done.
On The Road
Car Showroom can vouch for SOUL’s excellent wet weather handling – we tested the car over a variety of roads in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury River area during a monumental downpour that brought severe flooding to the North Show and as far north as Coffs Harbour.
We particularly liked the diesel powerplant which is well-matched to the four-speed auto.
SOUL features Kia’s new Electric Power Steering (EPS) which - with reduced mechanical load - enhances fuel economy by three per cent. It is well-weighted and delivers good feel on twisty rural roads. The minute 10.5 metre turning circle and excellent visibility makes parking a snack.
Challenges
SOUL’s interior is a standout however we found the drivers’ seat a little short and lacking in under-thigh support.
On Sydney’s wet roads and the pot-holed rural roads we tackled, road noise seemed to intrude more than some rival small segment cars.
Verdict
With Peter Schreyer driving the crayons, Kia continues to make bold design statements that push the boundaries for all the right reasons. The Cerato sedan and SOUL both succeed for different reasons (and incidentally, they both deliver segment-best value for money).
We like the SOUL a lot and it will be interesting to see how Australian consumers buy into the concept of customizing their SOULs.
The Competition
A tough one.
Internationally, Kia says the SOUL competes with vehicles such as Toyota’s Scion, the Nissan Cube and Skoda Yeti.
In Australia, the Fiat 500 and Mini brands do offer cut-thru designs (in their cases retro throwbacks) and with some customization by way of decals and wheels.
For interior space, versatility and all-round competence, you could consider the SOUL against the Suzuki SX4 and Nissan Dualis.
Kia’s keen pricing and five year/unlimited kilometer private buyer warranty must also be factored into the consideration set.
Thumbs-up:
Sensational and segment-busting exterior and interior styling; the whole customization concept; great interior space
Thumbs-down:
Front seats lack support; noisy at freeway speeds
