Kia Soul road test reports and car reviews

Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi Burner 2009

The question is, does the new Kia Soul conjure up the ’real spirit’ and rhapsodise all those Blues Brothers and Sisters out there? Or is it just a car by any other name? Invoking ’soul’ doesn’t necessarily bequeath it - so, with some trepidation, I put this interesting new Kia to the test. I’m pleased to be able to tell you that it’s a leap away from the mundane; from boring clone-cars; from identikit interiors; from car-as-appliance: it’s a lot of fun thanks to indomitable charm - and in a blithely mundane world, it cuts temptingly across stultifying convention. The first time I saw it I had a moment of empathy that threatened to melt the soles of my shoes. I knew instantly that it was going to irritate cosy sensibilities by its audacious design and would smash conventional frames of reference with its ’hipness’. "What’s that?" squawked a sententious neighbour, stabbing a rigid digit at the distinctive ’tiger-nose’ grille design: a shape which is repeated throughout the car. "It’s..it’s..unusual.They can’t do that!"He continued. But Kia have - and they are certainly not after the approbation of people who buy their pullovers from Marks and Spencers. This distinctive and radical urban ’crossover’ combines the space and flexibility of an SUV with the economy and driveability of a supermini: it defies classification and offers chic non-conformism and the thrill of ’daring to be different’ - a touch of heresy, so to speak. That’s what I liked - and I liked it a lot. Being provocatively different is all very well, but that won’t sustain mediocrity - and Kia’s commitment to quality is reflected by a five year unlimited mileage warranty for the five Soul models, with either a 124bhp1.6 petrol or 126bhp 1.6 diesel, which start from a low £10,500. - Soul1,Soul2,Soul Tempest, Soul Shaker and the flagship diesel Soul Burner tested here.The Soul feels like a car you can trust. Similarly - and at odds with its radical styling - it is also pragmatic and mature. Fashion has not been allowed to subvert useful function. So, sitting in the dock of the local fuel bay, I juiced this little baby up, whacked Sam and Dave on the stereo with its sound sensitive speaker lights that pulsate to the beat, and bellowed out ’Hold on,I’m coming’. Just in case my dreadful singing should lead to me being spotted on CCTV, I made sure that my dark glasses were firmly in place on the bridge of my nose. The first thing to notice is there’s lofty interior space - so a Pork Pie hat wasn’t a problem. Big seats, loads of room, excellent visibility and a wonderful cohesiveness make a Soul an excellent travel accessory. There are few car interiors for which the adjective ’funky’ counts as understatement - this Kia is one. From the moment you sit in it, the word ’humdrum’ is banished forever. All the interior is special.The genius is in the shape. Drop the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and there’s plenty of room for two mountain bikes. Put the seats up and Soul can seat five in comfort. There’s more room than in many larger cars. It’s a comfy and safe environment too. Air con., power windows and six airbags to save your own soul should disaster strike. A sense of integrity and solidity is detectable on the road and the Soul feels like a car you can trust. A singular pleasure is the way everything gels once you’re underway. The engine certainly packs plenty of punch low down, pulls eagerly all the way to the redline and is impressively smooth. It’s a rewarding car to drive briskly and it goes remakably well, hitting 113mph - should you be so bold - and if you cruise at motorway speeds it’s surprisingly quiet, due in part to the aerodynamic efficiency that would be a credit to Boeing. It even has grooved door mirrors which incorporate ’active vortex generators’. Meanwhile you’ll be getting an overall fuel consumption of nearly 55mpg. As for handling and ride, you have a chassis that both flatters your driving and engages your interest with its responsiveness as you tackle tricky bends. All I needed to make my time with the Soul Burner totally complete was, I thought,to catch site of the local Italian restaurateur standing in his doorway singing ’O Sole Mio’ at the top of his voice: I was well into the groove and dancing down the street in high spirits - invigorated by the peppy gusto of this endearing car.