The new Kia Soul has just been launched in
Europe with a media strapline of "totally transformed". However,
you'd be forgiven if, at first glance, you missed the changes. Compared with
the original Soul that was designed at Kia's design centre in Irvine,
California, and unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2008, the transformation is
a subtle one.
It is none-the-less new from the rubber up
and shares a platform with Kia's European C-segment hatchback, the Cee'd ...
and that's a very good thing. The new chassis enables it to be bigger and feel
more grown up than before. Overall length has increased by 20 mm, width by 15
mm and it's lower by 10 mm, allowing the new Soul a more aesthetic
"fit" to its chunky SUV-inspired shape.
The
Soul's a sharply styled car and the build quality is of a high standard
Things get better on the inside, too, with
an evident step or two upmarket. The dashboard has been completely redesigned,
with new switchgear and recessed TFT dials completing the driver's immediate
view. The layout is simple and fuss-free, and the overall build quality seems
really good on top of an unexpectedly generous kit list. Top grades get one of
the best touchscreen navigation and DAB audio systems I've used in a long
while, and piano black trim completes the fresh, classy ambience.
The degree of steering wheel and seat
adjustment is good and the thinner A-pillars afford better visibility than on
the previous car. That extra 20 mm in the wheelbase has been put to good use in
the rear row, where two-and-a-half grown- ups can sit comfortably.
Unfortunately, the rear seats don't slide or do anything clever (there's just
the standard 60:40 split/fold), but boot space has increased significantly from
222 to 354 dm3, aided by a wider tailgate and the handy under-floor storage
available in lieu of the long-lamented spare wheel.
The
interior's more refined than the previous soul but more colour would help
inject some additional interest
The outgoing Soul had a firm and fidgety
ride, but the new car's base setup is somewhat more compliant and forgiving. On
the road – and thanks largely to the new chassis - the Soul has the same
expertly engineered driving manners and composed handling as the Cee'd. A 29%
increase in torsional rigidity compared with the outgoing Soul, coupled with
upgraded sub-frame bushings contribute much to the better drive and greater
refinement.
Kia's recently developed Flex-Steer system
offers a button on the steering wheel to switch between comfort (too light),
sport (too heavy) and normal Gust right) weighting modes. Most buyers will
notice little tangible difference in feedback or feel. That said, the Soul does
tum in positively enough and, in spite of the raised SUV stance, body control
is pretty decent and the six-speed manual gearbox has a nice short throw and a
confident shift action.
The
1.6-litre GDi engine has to be worked hard in order to make swift progress
The powerplant under test is Kia's tried
and tested 1.6-litre GDi (gasoline direct injection) four-cylinder petrol unit.
It offers 96 kW of power and 161 Nm of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 10.6
seconds and topping out at 185 km/h. While adequate, on the road it's a touch
noisy and breathless, and fuel consumption and emissions are on the higher side
of acceptable.
Adding to the local range when the Soul
launches in September will be a stronger, more efficient 1.6-litre diesel. My
brief experience of this version showed it transforms the Soul's driving
characteristics to something altogether more eager and spirited.
The new Soul combines solid build quality,
upgraded cabin materials, greater comfort, generous standard kit and
much-improved driving manners, and will prove a far tougher rival for cars such
as the Nissan Juke and Suzuki SX4.
