What is it?
The second generation of Kia's stylish crossover. The new Soul is longer, wider and lower than the car it replaces, and features distinctive looks that are designed to get younger buyers interested in the brand.
Order books for the new Soul have already opened in the UK, with Kia offering three trim levels dubbed Start, Connect, and Connect Plus. Two other trim levels, Mixx and Maxx, will also arrive later this summer. Engine options comprise a 1.6-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol.
The model driven here is a mid-range Soul Connect Plus with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, putting out 126bhp and 192lb ft of torque. The quoted 0-60mph time of 10.8 seconds and the top speed of 112mph is competitive for the class and Kia has focused on ease of use and economy, rather than performance.
The Kia new Soul packs a 354-litre boot, with storage space rising to 1367 litres with the rear row of seats folded forwards. That's just short of some rivals (the Vauxhall Mokka offers 362 litres, rising to 1372), but it's still a decent capacity for a compact crossover.
Inside, Connect Plus models get an upgraded sound system and integrated satellite navigation, while keeping the 17-inch alloys, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera of lesser specifications.
Kia knows that volume sales of the new Soul in the UK are never going to be huge, and it's likely that only around 5000 units of the new car will make their way to the UK.
Still, standing out in a market already saturated with the likes of the Nissan Juke, Skoda Yeti and Vauxhall Mokka is a big ask for anyone, but on looks alone the new Soul certainly accomplishes that task with aplomb.
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Stylish
The article reads like a KIA press release. However, I do understand why people buy them, just hoping they've dropped hearing aid beige from the colour list
I have a soft spot for the
The same engine - albeit in a differing state of tune - can cough out just 100g/km in the Cee'd.
Check out the...
Makes a lot more sense as
Looks quite pricey when pitched against it's rivals here, but then there's always that 7-year Kia Warranty to consider I guess.