2009 Kia Soul Review & Road Test
June 9, 2009 by Nadine Armstrong
2009 Kia Soul2/3 CRDi Review & Road Test
Good for the soul and better than botox
Model Tested:
- 2009 Kia Soul2/3 – 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, CRDi, VGT, five-speed manual/four-speed auto – $26,990
Options:
- none fitted to test vehicle
Spacious, versatile, unique looks, economical
Gearbox, unique looks, visibility
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Nadine Armstrong
If Shrek were to own a car, it would surely be the Kia Soul. Just like the loveable green ogre, the ill-proportioned stature and unique personality of the Soul is strangely appealing.
And if you’re looking for a dose of youthful fervour, without going under the knife, this latest addition to the Korean carmaker’s budding line-up of affordable cars might be the answer. If you ask me, it’s better than botox.
However, I do harbour a healthy case of badge snobbery and an innate attraction to sports cars, so by no means was this love at first sight.
[Road test diary note: +30 seconds; what the…?]
In today’s market there are few cars that can truly lay claim to unique looks. The Soul can rightfully take this stance. Sure, it’s not for everyone; show me a car that is.
[Road test diary note: +10 minutes; it’s quite cute actually.]
It’s this car’s looks above all, that seem to polarise its audience. Mind you, nine out of 10 comments that have come my way have been fuelled by intrigue and interest, as opposed to those of disdain or the derogatory. It passed the 12-year-old girls’ test with flying colours – “that’s so cool” was the general consensus.
Likewise, the more senior citizens in the neighbourhood approached with great eagerness. “I’d drive one of those” said a gentleman neighbour who currently drives a Nissan X-Trail. Could it be that Kia has created a car that straddles the great divide, the generation gap?
[Road test diary note: +72 hours; what an easy car to live with.]
On road performance of the Soul however is a little less dynamic that its exterior.
Over two weeks we tested two diesel models; the Soul3, four-speed automatic and the Soul2, five-speed manual. The premium and mid-level spec models. The four-speed auto was my pick of the two.
The 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine has an output of 94kW at 4000rpm and 260Nm at 1900rpm. Whilst no greyhound, it delivers sprightly, more than adequate acceleration off the mark and a fairly smooth transition through the gears. The automatic transmission was also quick to drop a gear when under pressure.
I found the manual gearbox a little bit ‘notchy’ and ratios slightly mismatched, but it’s a short throw and effortless motion nonetheless. The clutch is light and the brakes waste no time in bringing you to a stand still. It really doesn’t require much effort to get from A to B.
The diesel engine is incredibly fuel efficient. Kia quotes a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km for manual transmission and 5.9L/100km for the auto. We achieved close to this claim in the manual transmission, travelling 397km on just 24 litres of fuel; 6.0L/100km. Carbon-dioxide emissions are 137g/km with the manual and 155g/km in the automatic; statistics that gain the Soul diesel a 3.5 from five-star rating from the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide. The manual petrol variant boasts a five-star rating.
Light, direct steering makes the Soul very easy to manoeuvre at low to moderate speeds. However, there is a distinct lack of steering feedback, which makes driving the Soul feel a little basic and dull at times. It’s a very one-way relationship. Its responsiveness and obedience, on the other hand, is to be commended and it rarely got out of shape.
The Soul has a firm ride whereby the suspension (McPherson strut up front and coupled torsion beam axle in the rear) does a fair job of absorbing bumps, to keep the ride quite composed. It has a rigid build and suffers only from minimal body sway at moderate speeds, however, road noise is a little intrusive. Overall, its ride and handling are surprisingly refined.
The Soul’s Tardis-like cabin is an experience in itself. Without fail, every occupant commented on how spacious it is, and it’s comfortable space at that. A reasonably low seat-line (no leg-up required for the vertically challenged), coupled with considerable roof height produces a very spacious cabin.
A comparison of dimensions puts the Soul smack in the middle between the slightly smaller Honda Jazz and the slightly larger Dodge Caliber. Aside from height, where it trumps both models, standing 85mm taller than the Jazz and has 75mm over the Dodge. Inside, it feels bigger than both of these.
Luggage space is good in standard configuration, with a capacity of 340 litres. Make use of the 60:40 split fold seats – which are simple to engage – and this grows to 800 litres. Specify a roof-rack and you’re spoilt for luggage options.
There are few dislikes or disappointments from the Soul and it has to be said that rear visibility is poor, as a result of large rear pillars. It calls for more concentration, and considerable guesswork, than I care to give when reversing or parking. The reversing camera, a pricey option at $2000, would be money well spent and we think Kia could include parking sensors as standard.
There are no air vents in the second row. However, it didn’t seem to hinder adequate cooling or heating of the cabin. And, sure, there’s lots of plastic to be seen, but the interior has been well executed.
The cloth trim seats are large and comfortable and offer three-way manual adjust for driver and two-way for passenger. The leather-wrap, multi-function steering wheel (with tilt adjust only) feels sturdy and the centre console and audio display is simple but tastefully finished.
Three large dials form the instrument cluster – the tachometer, speedo and the temperature and fuel display – which are positioned within good view of the driver. There are also lots of handy storage compartments throughout the cabin (although some in alarmingly contrasting shades); in-door, centre console, glove box, in-dash and back of seat pockets.
Kia plays up to tech-savvy buyers and their need for connectivity. USB, auxiliary and iPod compatibility is standard across all three models, and the interface is seamless.
I plugged in my iPhone and its iPod function became fully integrated with the audio console. The audio upgrade in the Soul3 includes an additional centre speaker and sub-woofer. An eclectic playlist that includes artists from Moby to the Bee Gees gave these speakers a good test, and they passed with flying colours.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the front speaker mood lamps that come with the Soul3. They have the power to illuminate, both physically and mentally. I’m inexplicably happy when the speakers glow red to the beat of my music. Simple pleasures.
Using customisation as a key selling feature, the Soul offers eleven exterior and four interior colour options and a long list of accessories including: body mould sets, decals, spoilers, fog lamps, and multiple colour combinations.
The Soul2 diesel is priced at $26,690 for the manual transmission and $28,690 for the automatic. The range-topping Soul3 diesel model, in auto transmission only, is $30,890.
At nearly $10,000 over the entry level model, the Soul3 starts to push the value-for-money boundaries, straying into a seriously broad, competitive market in the mid $30,000 bracket; think entry level models of the Audi A3 or the Mini Cooper. It’s hard however to compare apples with apples when benchmarking the well-pimped Soul.
I approach most family vehicles, specifically SUVs, with a distinct air of disregard. I don’t want one because it will cramp my style, but the space and functionality they offer is undeniable. The Soul delivers this with a modern, quirky blend of non-traditional aesthetics – and it doesn’t scream ‘family’. I found this combination very appealing.
However, despite its unique looks and a respectable list of credentials, the Soul struggles to engage the driver. For this reason, it doesn’t feel like a serious, long-term buy, but a cheap and cheery run-about.
Having said that, add to its ‘cheap and cheery’ attributes the fact that it’s economical, fun and versatile, and it ticks a lot of the basic criteria on many shopping lists. So it comes back to design; the biggest differentiator for the Soul.
Confused? Me too.
I’m now on the home straight of what’s been a liberating two weeks testing the Soul. I’m approaching my late thirties; I have a baby on the way; no waistline; I’m wearing expandable pants; and, having recently parted with my beloved coupe and around 237kW, find myself faced with the prospect of buying an affordable, practical family car. It’s not a happy place.
The Kia Soul has been the saviour to my desperate need to not conform. It brought my badge snobbery into line, put a smile on my face and turned back the years. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.
|
Kia SOUL (base model) features include: · Dual front advanced airbags; front side & full length curtain airbags · 15-inch steel wheels with P195/65R15 tyres · ABS brakes · AM/FM/CD+MP3 audio · USB + Aux audio inputs with iPodR compatibility · Keyless remote entry · Air conditioning (manual) · Power windows with driver’s auto-down · Power adjustable body-coloured mirrors · Body-colour bumpers & exterior door handles · Optional 4-spd automatic transmission |
Kia SOUL2 – same as SOUL, plus: · Electronic Stability Program (ESP) · Steering wheel-mounted audio controls · Front fog lamps · Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob · 16-inch alloy wheels with P205/55R16 tyres · Cloth seats (SOUL Shining) · Front seat armrest · Roof rails |
Kia SOUL3 – same as SOUL2, plus: · 18-inch alloy wheels with P225/45R18 tyres · Audio upgrade (centre speaker, subwoofer, external amp) · Front speaker mood lamps · Metallic finish – console, dash and doors · Wide view bumper & eyeliners · Privacy glass · No roof rails · Cloth seats (SOUL Shining) standard · Interior trim Options: o Red + black (Black, Titanium Silver or Tomato Red exteriors) o Beige + black (Vanilla Shake, Blue Stone, Cocktail Orange, Green Tea Latte or Java Brown exteriors) |
Ratings
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 1.6 litre, VGT, CRDi, four-cylinder, 16-valve
- Power: 94kW at 4000rpm
- Torque: 260Nm at 1900rpm
- Induction: common rail direct injection, variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)
- Transmission: Five-speed manual/four-speed automatic
- Differential/Driven Wheels: FWD
- Brakes: 15-inch ventilated (f), 14-inch solid disc (r)
- Top Speed: n/a
- 0-100km/h: n/a
- CO2 Emissions: 137g/km(M)/156g/km(A)
- Fuel Consumption: 5.2L/100km (ADR combined) (M)/5.9L/100km(ADR)(A)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 48 litres
- Fuel Type: diesel
- ANCAP Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP
- Airbags: six - driver and passenger, front, side and curtain
- Safety: ABD, TCS, ABS, EBD
- Spare Wheel: space-saver
- Tow Capacity (braked): 1100kg(M)/1300kg(A)
- Turning Circle: 10.5 metres
- Warranty: Five year, unlimited kilometre
- Weight: 1364kg
- Wheels: alloy
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
Nice review of a nice vehicle……
BUT, in USA its within a few $100 dollars of the price of a Kia Rio Hatch, yet here its [very] silly priced, obvs. they are going to be satisfied with selling just a few 100, where if they followed the price structure of USA [say $15k] they could sell 1000’s and put Kia on the map.
A great idea and opportunity lost Kia……
Cheers
F-0
I can see what Kia was trying to do, but I think the high price will limit this cars success.
Personally, why would I buy this when I can buy a i30CW or an Astra Station Wagon for similar or less money? Sure they are both more conservative in design, but they both make this car seem a little sad when compared…well in my mind anyway.
Drove one a week ago. Automatic Diesel 1.6. I can’t remember all the jargons Kia wants to confuse with. Yes, there are thousand ways to personalize it – but you are stuck with meagre engine, small and wanna-be-suv design. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to handover the car back to them and I had a sigh of relief that I didn’t crash the car. Felt very insecure. Don’t know why. Every corner I rediced the speed to 40 to feel secure that I won’t overturn the car.
I was just having fun – not trying to buy that anyway. Coz I knew just funkyfying the Kia Rio wouldn’t justify doubling the price.
In Australia they are just test-driving the customers.
The right price for the base model for this car is 14000 driveaway. Not a penny more.
Looks to me like this car is really going for the Hyundai i30cw/Tucson market … I was looking at these two cars, but the Soul seems to offer the best of both(a lighter Tucson City with the same fuel economy as the i30cw) … anyone else able to compare?
It’s an interesting car and certainly breaks the mould of most small econobox, but i can’t help but think it’s quite expensive for a 1.6L small car, especially the petrol version.
In the main,this car is a great design,and of course not everyone will like it,that’s fair enough.
I cannot get a good idea of ot’s size though,and so I am looking forward to see-ing one in the flesh.
From what I can gather from various reviews it would benefit from larger engines.
I for one give praise to the creators of this car,it seems to be very interesting.
Expensive and it looks gimmicky.
Reminds me of when Proton tried to sell a 1.6l engined car for high $20s. That went well….
Quite a few makers are using the current climate to inflate the prices of cars and cheapen the content. Mitsubishi (Lancer with cheapened interiors) Honda (way overpriced City) Kia (this thing)……
Some of the prices approach the cost of real cars like Golf and Mazda3
The only thing this has going for it is the interior size, but I’d much rather have a diesel Caddy or even the Skoda Roomster.
Im sorry but did notice the last generation of Daihatsu Sirion?
This this is a complete rip of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if its the same car to be honest……..
Reckless one
My thoughts on the Skoda is that it is very fudged up looking car.It looks like they have glued two different cars together,but we are entitled to our own opinion so I have well and truly been told before on this web-site.
Funky little car but extraordinarily over priced & why does the Kia corporate grill look like a bottle opener?
This is a lot bigger than the Sirion and has nothing to do with it.
I actually like the look of these, they are just that bit to $’y for there target audience which would have to be 20 somthings
As a promo/rep vehical this would be awesome untill they get to common.
Kia have perhaps marketted this ‘differently’ in australia
they think it’s a boutique type car like a Mini – in the US and Europe it’s a car like the Nissan Cube and Scion which is aimed at college kids and the 50+ set who are after a cheap alternative to the hatch
i think they realise they won’t sell many so they have to soak whoever wants one
i like the auto box – it has the inline PRND2L thing not seen since the VT Commodore
This car is so over priced. I saw it one day in a magazine or new papaer (i dont remember) and thought to myself, here is a nice new funky looking hatch for about 15 000.
Then i read the price and was schocked
Personally i think that they are charging atleast 5 grand to much for it.
Nice or not, that is way too much dosh for a car with a badge that roughly translates from Korean to English as “I am a massive tight-ar$e”.
Phillip,
Not sure if you realize but some people cannot afford to drive flash hot expensive cars with a “good” badge. This is why the Koreans give consumers a cheaper alternative at affordable prices (bar the Soul). Brand new car with 5 year warranty, what more can you want?
What a cute little car, glad Kia has included diesel models. Might create some more needed interest in diesel motors…
I like the looks and the space the Soul offers, but agree, its too expensive. I look at it from the point of view that its roughly the same size and the same standard features as a Tucson/Sportage. So why is it so much more expensive. You can buy a Tucson City for $23′000 drive away. My guess is that we will see a price cut in a few months.
Tony,
Soul has had it’s best sales month since it’s February arrival. The model has seen it’s sales topping 3.855 units, up 19.4 percent over the month earlier when 3.228 Souls were sold.
Impressive initial Soul sales is good news, but what’s even more exciting is the fact that Kia Soul outperformed both of it’s main rivals in the US market. As of the end of April, Kia Soul has been competing to win over the customers only against Scion xB, but last month, the competition has been intensified with Japanese Nissan putting it’s all new, 2010 Cube crossover to the battle.
With sales of 3.855 units last month, the Soul has conquered the No. 1 spot in the econo “box-car” category beating the Scion xB in the second place and Nissan’s Cube in third by more than 1.500 units. Scion has sold 2.216 units of it’s boxy xB while Nissan sold 1.745 units of Cube.
When we look at the year-to-date sales numbers, the xB remains to be the best selling “boxy car” in the US market, but it’s sales in the first five months of fiscal year have fallen from 21.241 units to 9.697 units. In contrary, the sales of Soul crossover has been on increase (8.363 Souls sold to date) and with such performance, the Soul is expected to top the econo “box car” year-to-date sales charts already at the end of June.
Ah Salesman, what is with the use of the decimal point? I assume that is supposed to be a comma?
This thread wa going downhill until Salesmane brought some logic to it..
Whilst a nice halo car for Kia the problem seems to be a disconnect between the publics expectation of a Kia’s pricepoint perception and the price of the Soul. Trust me the Soul is worth every single cent of it’s price. It’s the most characterful and personal car you can buy probably bar the Mini.It’s Kia’s ‘breakout’ car and good on them. This is history here. A desirable Kia (better than the cerato). 260Nm?? awesome.
Cheap for a Soul, expensive for a Kia is what i think people mean.
US sale is because the price is less in US. But why is it so high here?
I think Kia is not wanting to sell Soul here. If they want, the price should be right, at 14000 for base model.
All sounds good and I like the look. I still have one major problem – no cruise control. I heard somewhere that cruise control will be an option from August on – is this correct?
If it had that it would be our first choice for a new car for a young family (although I’d like to know the driveaway price for each version) – instead we are considering a i30cw or a cerato
I am in the USA right now and went into a KIA dealer here to look at the US Soul. It comes with a 2 litre (thats liter here!) engine, not the 1.6 we have in Australia. The dealer told me its the Cerato engine. As I don’t know any different, I can’t say either way. The question is, why did we get the 1.6 and not the 2.0 litre engine? Maybe The Salesman can find out???
I am looking at buying a Soul…. i currently have a Dodge Caliber, which i think is excellent to compare it to, on everything except for engine size. The Caliber has the same flexibility, the same space, similar features, and a similar unique look, however, the dodge has a 2.0L…. They are both priced similarly as well… so im going to look at the soul next… in the diesel should be good.
George I have driven a Caliber many times, owned by a mate that likes a drink when we go out. I drive home! This is only my opinion so you need to compare them yourselves. The Caliber is so disapointing to drive and is not that well screwed together. I like the style, but like so many American cars, it is all style and no substance. The inside is very plasticky and they are a bit of a slug in the “go” department. I haven’t driven a Soul yet, but I have had a good look at cars in Melbourne dealerships and here in the USA. They appear to be well built and well thought out cars. From the road tests I have read they are not that quick (in petrol form) but the diesel specs look good.
I guess you either love it or hate it!
my wife likes it, still got my dodge caliber though, nearly 3 years now no issues, still happy with it except for the plastics, when i drive it i can get the consumption down to 7.2 l/100, 20k freeway and up to 8 city, but when my wife is driving, it can get up to 9.2/100, with the mid-spec soul’s price ill just probably go with mazda3
An interesting car from KIA. Didn’t expect this form KIA at all. It’s a very cool car. Exterior looks great except has to many line around the back end. Interior is a big improvement over the current KIA interiors. I agree, it is a tad expensive. Should be like 17-18K driveaway. I do like how you can customise it. See what happens :)
I hope the price comes down,I hope the engines get bigger and I hope they are extremely successful therefore livening up the Aussie streetscape that seems a tad boring at times.
Go the designers at Kia !
Salesman, have not seen one on the road? what’s going on?
Tony^^^^^
The reason is the price.
A baseline in auto, no options is $25k driveaway, they are dreaming at that coin.
Nice car though!
Cheers
F-0
This car should be priced between the RIO and the Cerato as a starting price. I would buy one for around $17,500 drive away for a manual. It is basically a RIO engine and gearbox in a car the size of the old Cerato Hatch. The Cerato hatch was selling for $18,000 drive away with the 2.0 litre engine as a manual.
KIA head office should take note that very little are selling. Selling more at a reduced profit is better than selling very few at a huge mark up. The more you sell, the faster the KIA name in Australia get’s recognised as a good brand. For $25,000 drive away in a car this size, i’d expect sunroof, leather, 2.0 litre, 6 speed Manual or 6 Speed Auto, alloys, and a really good stereo system with sub, amp etc. Wake up KIA, reduce the price and move the stock.