When the Kia Soul first came out in the spring of 2009, it didn’t really get my attention. It looked kind of funny and I honestly didn’t think that it would be very popular. But once I spent time behind the wheel, I realized that its funkiness was unique and it indeed had some desirable features.
I am not sure if the dancing hamster ads helped sales of this unique vehicle, but fast forward only two years later and Kia has already decided to release an enhanced 2012 Soul.
The basic styling for this model stays the same, with a few minor tweaks to some of the proportions, giving it a wider-looking stance. The front fascia has also been widened, with enlarged fog lights as well as LED daytime running lights and signal lights. Projection headlights are now available.
The back end has also received a width increase and LED illumination as well. The side profile shows off new 18-inch wheel designs with wider tires and new side-view mirrors. I am not a fan of the boxy look of the Soul, but I admit the extra width has made it meatier and more aggressive. The difference is a slight one, but I like it.
The Soul’s interior features new patterns and colours as well as a new instrument cluster and shifter console. Kia has added a lamp to the glove box, dual-stage front-seat heaters and circular automatic climate controls. New technology includes a 7-inch navigation system, a premium Infinity audio system with subwoofer and the UVO Audio Infotainment system.
UVO is a voice-activated radio, media and phone control system. It has a full colour 4.3” LCD touch-screen and recognizes 150 voice commands in English, French and Spanish. It copies music files to an onboard hard drive, interprets and reads text messages and also serves as the rear view camera.
For 2012, the Soul gets two all-new engines. Don’t be confused; they are both brand-new, and the only thing that stays the same from the previous engines is the displacement.
The first is the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, which adds gasoline direct injection this year. Horsepower is up 16 from last year’s model for a total of 138, while torque increases slightly to 123 lb.-ft @ 4,850 rpm.
The second 4-cylinder engine option is the 2.0-litre unit that now puts out 164 hp and 148 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm. Both of these engines can be matched to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
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| The basic styling for this model stays the same, with a few minor tweaks to some of the proportions, giving it a wider-looking stance. (Photo: Kia) |
I am not sure if the dancing hamster ads helped sales of this unique vehicle, but fast forward only two years later and Kia has already decided to release an enhanced 2012 Soul.
The basic styling for this model stays the same, with a few minor tweaks to some of the proportions, giving it a wider-looking stance. The front fascia has also been widened, with enlarged fog lights as well as LED daytime running lights and signal lights. Projection headlights are now available.
The back end has also received a width increase and LED illumination as well. The side profile shows off new 18-inch wheel designs with wider tires and new side-view mirrors. I am not a fan of the boxy look of the Soul, but I admit the extra width has made it meatier and more aggressive. The difference is a slight one, but I like it.
The Soul’s interior features new patterns and colours as well as a new instrument cluster and shifter console. Kia has added a lamp to the glove box, dual-stage front-seat heaters and circular automatic climate controls. New technology includes a 7-inch navigation system, a premium Infinity audio system with subwoofer and the UVO Audio Infotainment system.
UVO is a voice-activated radio, media and phone control system. It has a full colour 4.3” LCD touch-screen and recognizes 150 voice commands in English, French and Spanish. It copies music files to an onboard hard drive, interprets and reads text messages and also serves as the rear view camera.
For 2012, the Soul gets two all-new engines. Don’t be confused; they are both brand-new, and the only thing that stays the same from the previous engines is the displacement.
The first is the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, which adds gasoline direct injection this year. Horsepower is up 16 from last year’s model for a total of 138, while torque increases slightly to 123 lb.-ft @ 4,850 rpm.
The second 4-cylinder engine option is the 2.0-litre unit that now puts out 164 hp and 148 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm. Both of these engines can be matched to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
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| For 2012, one of the two all-news engines, is the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, which adds gasoline direct injection this year. (Photo: Kia) |