Nissan Factory Warranty
2010 Kia Soul Review
As a corporate entity, Kia is maintaining an upbeat mood in these times of financial crisis. Rather than battening down the hatches, the Korean brand seems to be steaming ahead at full speed, introducing all-new
If Kia hopes to get some attention, it couldn't have hoped for a better object of desire than the Soul. Aimed at buyers looking for more style and personality than the average econobox offers, the Soul is an "urban activity" vehicle with a funky, boxy look and a range of quirky equipment to go along with it. While Scion readies its next hip leap forward, the Kia Soul aims to be the hottest ride going for the club kids.
That's not to say that the Soul will only appeal to 18-year-olds, however. The success of Honda's Element among a wide range of buyers suggests that it's not just twenty-somethings who like the box. Designed at Kia's Southern California studio, the Soul is definitely boxy, but it's got personality as well. Kia's new corporate grille is the centerpiece of a rounded front end, giving the Soul a unique grin. The tall, squared-off body has a rising beltline meeting a slightly sloped roof, which injects a dose of drama. All of the roof pillars except the rearmost D-pillar are hidden. At the rear, vertical taillights emphasize the Soul's cargo-carrying ability. Available sixteen- or eighteen-inch wheels and black trim give the Soul a sporty, modern look. The slab sides and big flat tailgate are just crying out for some MINI Cooper-style factory decals, though Kia hasn't committed to making any available yet.
This top hat-shaped do-all is available in four trim levels; base, Soul+, Soul! (say "exclaim") and Soul Sport. They're distinguished mostly by equipment; the Soul+ adds body-colored exterior trim and
Interior treatments are just as cool as the exterior styling. The boxy outside makes for a roomy inside, and Kia spices it up with a standard two-level glovebox and standard satellite radio. From a practical standpoint, the Soul offers a tall, comfortable seating position and a three-dial instrument panel with LCD lighting. USB jacks for MP3 players are located in the center console. The Soul! and Sport are rife with club-kid styling tricks, including available sound-activated LED lights inside the speakers and a cloth interior with an oversized houndstooth pattern. Bluetooth connectivity and a 315-watt sound system with subwoofer are also available.
The 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine under the hood of the base Soul suggests that this is no sport compact, and that's pretty much true. 122 horsepower will only go so far, after all, even with a relatively lightweight 2500-pound body. Fuel economy, on the other hand, is a healthy 26/31, and makes the Soul a funky yet frugal do-all. Soul+, Soul! and Soul Sports come with a 2.0 liter four-cylinder that makes 142 horses and improves the fun factor slightly. Even with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Soul drives like an economy car rather than a performance car. That ain't a bad thing, of course; plenty of people will be just fine with a cool-looking, economical daily driver. A four-speed automatic transmission is also available for those who don't want to shift during rush hour.
By Christopher Jackson -
Christopher Jackson has been an automotive writer for over a decade. His work has appeared in Grassroots Motorsports, AutoWeek and African-Americans on Wheels. He currently lives in a customized motorhome an...
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