Kia Soul + 2012 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $26,990
Options fitted (not included in above price): Premium paint $400
Crash rating: Five-star (EuroNCAP)
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.5
CO2 emissions (g/km): 179
Also consider: Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990); Suzuki SX4 (from $18,990); Toyota Rukus (from $27,490)

Model year updates for Kia’s Soul, released here in 2009, introduce a 2.0-litre petrol engine option alongside the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel models. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions also replace the v.1 Soul’s five-speed manual and four-speed auto options in this MY12 revision.

The original offerings were fairly faultless as they were; the diesel-auto model particularly good. Nonetheless Kia (rightly) argues the Soul can have more spirit, hence the 2.0-litre with 122kW/200Nm. For comparison, the 1.6-litre petrol engine is rated at 95kW/157Nm.

Specification for the MY12 Soul range is now two-tier: the Soul + models include the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel options, with the latter’s price going up by $800 “to reflect” addition of the six-speed transmission options and new 18-inch alloy wheels. The Soul 1.6-litre petrol model (with 15-inch steel wheels) also received the six-speeds but pricing remains as per 2011.

That’s business out of the way; now on to the Soul’s fun side, of which there is plenty. We came out of an Optima and into the new 2.0-litre Soul, and while we appreciated the Optima’s smooth road handling and comfort-oriented packaging, the blocky hatch was also enjoyable for its utilitarian capabilities and simplicity behind the wheel.

Upright and cube-like, the Soul’s design allows for well-sized doors enabling easy entry/exit of passengers and pets, and the near-flat cargo space and high roof line meant this tester was able to move four tea chests and a few smaller boxes into storage with ease. The cargo floor is at a useful level; the rear tailgate is light (but owners should watch extended opening height against carport ceilings) and the rear seats are easily folded.

It all makes for super-useful transport and the new engine option helps Soul’s cause. The 2.0-litre likes to rev and has good tractability in the mid-range allowing efficient overtaking in highway environments. The six-speed auto has manual mode but behaves as expected when left to its own devices. Using manual mode (forward for upshift and vice versa) brings smooth response and raises the engine’s willingness; hovering around 4800rpm.

We used 8.3L/100km of fuel over the week incorporating the abovementioned storage run(s) and highway trips to work. The Soul’s setup works to great effect in traffic: the higher ride resembles what SUV owners enjoy in terms of perceived better road view and its tidy corners and short overhangs make gap-sizing a breeze. Steering is always responsive and offers loads of feedback, with every pothole and pitch obvious to the driver -- which may deter some buyers looking for more refined transport. Again, the Soul’s simplicity is apparent behind the wheel, especially in comparison to Kia’s comfort-oriented Optima, but it’s authentic and trusty.

The Soul betrays body roll in corners and ‘bobs’ over the road, largely due to its height and wheel-at-each-corner design, but it’s not uncomfortable and after awhile the car’s authentic reactions to conditions add to the fun factor.

The Soul’s unfussed form means vision down its flanks is accommodated simply by the side mirrors, and rearward view is helped by the large, rectangular windscreen in the Soul’s tailgate. The test car didn’t have reversing sensors and for the most part we didn’t miss the assistance, however the rear pillar is wide and can obstruct rear-side vision while in traffic. Blind spot sensors would be a good option.

Soul has seating for five with good shoulder room up front and enough headroom for adults in the rear. The seats up front are supportive but not uncomfortably firm over the long run and the driver’s seat has good adjustability, allowing for a low-set arrangement not available in comparable high-riding models we’ve tried of late (e.g. Mitsubishi ASX). The Soul’s far-forward windscreen means there’s lots of dash ahead of the (tilt-and-reach adjustable) steering wheel, but this has been nicely crafted and covered with a non-glare plastic surface that appears easy to keep clean.

The driver is treated to well-arranged instrumentation and trip details via three shrouded gauge displays and onboard computer/stereo/Bluetooth control access is located on the steering wheel. The centre console incorporating HVAC controls, audio system display and USB connectivity is unobtrusive but the high gloss finish for the top of the (in this case) auto’s shift looks gaudy. We’d also opt for a less flamboyant interior trim: other than the seats, which were covered with an attractive dark-toned cloth, the doors had material reading ‘SOUL SOUL SOUL’ in tilted black and white lines… But each to their own.

Kia has a very special offering in its Soul. It can be ordered with personalisation treatment rivalling MINI for its Cooper(s) and the three MY12 engine options, combined with new six-speed auto or manual transmission, should warrant the Soul a place on lists of buyers with business and/or recreation interests. Local take-up of Kia’s high-riding hatch is relatively low compared to, say, the USA’s apparent appreciation… Perhaps we need more convincing. This more powerful, more stylish version should help.

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