Next Kia Soul previewed ahead of LA reveal

Kia has once again teased its 2019 Kia Soul ahead of its launch at the Los Angeles motor show on Wednesday, November 28.

The latest preview, released overnight on the Korean car-maker's social media channels, reveals the third-gen Kia Soul will keep its quirky, boxy exterior styling but get a more streamlined nose.

Inside, new pics of the all-new Kia Soul reveal the small SUV will blend a colourful and minimalistic design with a significantly updated infotainment system that will introduce the car-maker's latest levels of connectivity.

As well as greater connectivity, the next Soul will come with Kia's next-gen driver assistance systems including an active cruise control system with lane keeping function.

Inviting buyers to place an order ahead of its LA show unveiling, Kia says the Soul will also be offered in a new, more rugged 'X-Line' variant that's thought will feature a raised ride height and more butch styling, if not the addition of actual all-wheel drive.

Initially, US buyers will have the choice of a normally-aspirated 2.0-litre or turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, with the latter offered with the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Later on from its launch early next year, the Kia Soul will also be sold with a pure-electric powertrain borrowed from the e-Niro. With a 39kWh battery, the Soul EV is claimed to travel up to 320km on a single charge.

It's still not known what Soul variants Kia plans to export Down Under following news that European markets, like the UK, are only getting the zero-emission plug-in version.

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