Kia’s second generation Soul has landed in Britain, bringing with it promises of greater space, a higher quality cabin and sharper driving dynamics. It’s offered with a choice of two 1.6-liter engines, five trim grades and on-the-road prices ranging from £12,600 to £21,550.
While retaining its predecessor’s boxy design, the renewed Soul rides on a 20mm longer wheelbase at 2,570mm stretching the car’s length to 4,140mm, while it’s also 15mm wider at 1,800mm. However, height has been reduced by 10mm to 1,600mm.
Boot capacity with the rear seats in place has been improved by four percent to 354 litres, rising to 994 litres to the cargo cover with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 1,367 litres up to the roof level.
Engine options in the UK include a 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing 126bhp and 192 lb-ft (260Nm) and a 1.6-liter petrol that makes 130bhp and 119 lb-ft (161Nm) of peak torque.
When connected to a six-speed manual, the 1.6L diesel engine accelerates the Soul to 60mph (96km/h) in 10.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph (180km/h), while returning a combine fuel economy of 56.5mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 132g/km. The figures for the 6sp automatic transmission are 11.8 seconds, 110mph, 47.1mpg UK and 158g/km, respectively.
The 1.6L petrol unit with a six-speed manual reaches 60mph (96km/h) in 10.6 seconds before topping out at 115mph (185km/h). It returns up to 41.5 mpg UK and CO2 emissions as low as 158g/km (if opted with 18-inch wheels, these figures change to 38.7mpg UK and 170g/km).
The five available trim grades for the new Soul are the Start, Connect, Connect Plus, Mixx and Maxx. All Souls come equipped with DAB radio, Flex Steer variable power-assisted steering, a tyre pressure monitoring system, keyless entry, air conditioning, electrically adjustable mirrors, electric windows all round, steering wheel-mounted controls, USB and AUX ports and six airbags as standard.
If you opt for the Connect, you also get artificial leather cluster housings, door centre-trim and armrests, a rear power socket, 17-inch alloys, front foglamps, door mirror heaters, cruise control, Bluetooth, a parking camera, leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, and a storage box between the front seats.
The Connect Plus adds a higher-end Infinity sound system, satellite navigation and front speaker mood lights.
Mixx models gain 18-inch wheels, contrasting colour roof and door mirror casings, chrome exterior door handles, LED rear lights, cooled glovebox, heated front seats and a luggage floor undertray, plus an exterior trim kit.
Finally, the range-topping Maxx gets different 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a TFT supervision cluster, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors and a smart-entry key and engine start/stop button.
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