All-new Kia Soul teased ahead of LA motor show debut

Kia's third-generation, 2019 Kia Soul has been previewed ahead of its launch later this month at the LA motor show.

Teasing a single side profile cropped pic of the small funky hatch, the Korean car-maker reveals the all-new replacement for the Kia Soul will clearly draw some boxy design cues from the current car.

First introduced back in 2009, the small SUV has been big hit globally but, for the sequel, Kia is taking a different tack.

While the US market gets both petrol engines and the new pure-electric powertrain, when it reaches Europe markets like the UK will only get the zero-emission plug-in version of the 2019 Kia Soul.

It's not yet known if the European strategy will be applied to the Australian market with its lack of charging infrastructure, or we'll get right-hand drive petrols.

If we get the battery-electric Soul, the small SUV will come equipped with the same powertrain as the entry-level Kia e-Niro that is now likely to be introduced to Australia.

That means it will get a front-mounted single electric motor that pushes out about 100kW and a 39kWh lithium-ion battery that will provide for a range of around 320km.

Inside, to appeal to a more youthful market, the third instalment of the Soul will get a far more technologically advanced interior with the focus on connectivity.

More driverless aids will be introduced on the new model with a semi-autonomous cruise control almost certain to hit the options list.

Expect more teasers of the small Soul as we near its unveiling at the LA show.