The interior of the Soul is certainly one of the most interesting in terms of styling. And notwithstanding the various hard plastics, fit and finish are superb. Clearly, Kia has an edge over the competition with the dynamically-designed Soul, both inside and out.
Uninspiring powertrain
With 30-40 additional ponies, the 143-hp, 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine of my tester would have proven much more entertaining. The goods are delivered -- but where’s the fun? Of course, you don’t expect blistering accelerations from an entry-level compact. However, while the Soul is an honest sprinter, one would like performance to be punchier so as to match the exterior. On the plus side, Kia managed to keep fuel ratings fairly low, with an average of 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
The power-to-weight ratio is adequate in daily driving conditions, although the vehicle struggles mightily when fully loaded. The engine becomes louder and it will literally scream in pain if you attach a trailer.
The 4-speed automatic transmission could definitely use an additional gear without it being a luxury. The throws are long and gear ratios were arguably calculated with efficiency in mind. The steering is a bit too firm and not rewarding enough, although handling is fairly commendable and makes you enjoy spending time behind the wheel. Also, I was surprised to find out that the Soul is not really affected by crosswinds.
The ride is pleasantly firm thanks to a rigid suspension and available 18-inch wheels that favor agility over comfort. As for the brakes, they’re nicely responsive and powerful enough.
Competition
Little boxes on wheels are starting to sell like hot cakes these days and buyers have a nice selection to choose from. Unlike the Soul, some of them are available with all-wheel drive, which shouldn’t be overlooked. Direct competitors include the Jeep Compass Sport ($18,395), Nissan cube 1.8 SL ($20,698), Scion xB (expected for 2010 at around $16,000), Suzuki SX4 Hatchback JX ($19,995) and Toyota Matrix XR ($19,450). The 2010 Kia Soul 4u I tested starts at $19,995 but is more loaded.
Wrapping up the Kia Soul
Kia has a really nice thing going with the Soul. Fresh, youthful styling will help it attract many consumers and those who want to stand out even more are presented with a wide range of customization packages. For the price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find higher value and quality in a single product, which speaks volumes about how far the brand has come. If only a more potent engine and all-wheel drive were available, we would be talking about an extremely competitive offering.
photo:Marc Bouchard, Philippe Champoux
Uninspiring powertrain
With 30-40 additional ponies, the 143-hp, 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine of my tester would have proven much more entertaining. The goods are delivered -- but where’s the fun? Of course, you don’t expect blistering accelerations from an entry-level compact. However, while the Soul is an honest sprinter, one would like performance to be punchier so as to match the exterior. On the plus side, Kia managed to keep fuel ratings fairly low, with an average of 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
The power-to-weight ratio is adequate in daily driving conditions, although the vehicle struggles mightily when fully loaded. The engine becomes louder and it will literally scream in pain if you attach a trailer.
The 4-speed automatic transmission could definitely use an additional gear without it being a luxury. The throws are long and gear ratios were arguably calculated with efficiency in mind. The steering is a bit too firm and not rewarding enough, although handling is fairly commendable and makes you enjoy spending time behind the wheel. Also, I was surprised to find out that the Soul is not really affected by crosswinds.
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| With 30-40 additional ponies, the 143-hp, 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine of my tester would have proven much more entertaining. |
The ride is pleasantly firm thanks to a rigid suspension and available 18-inch wheels that favor agility over comfort. As for the brakes, they’re nicely responsive and powerful enough.
Competition
Little boxes on wheels are starting to sell like hot cakes these days and buyers have a nice selection to choose from. Unlike the Soul, some of them are available with all-wheel drive, which shouldn’t be overlooked. Direct competitors include the Jeep Compass Sport ($18,395), Nissan cube 1.8 SL ($20,698), Scion xB (expected for 2010 at around $16,000), Suzuki SX4 Hatchback JX ($19,995) and Toyota Matrix XR ($19,450). The 2010 Kia Soul 4u I tested starts at $19,995 but is more loaded.
Wrapping up the Kia Soul
Kia has a really nice thing going with the Soul. Fresh, youthful styling will help it attract many consumers and those who want to stand out even more are presented with a wide range of customization packages. For the price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find higher value and quality in a single product, which speaks volumes about how far the brand has come. If only a more potent engine and all-wheel drive were available, we would be talking about an extremely competitive offering.
photo:Marc Bouchard, Philippe Champoux
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