New Soul takes on the xB
South Korean automaker Kia is putting the "hip" in "hiproom" with the all-new Soul, a youth-oriented compact wagon.
Officially a 2010 model but already in showrooms, the Soul aims to attract young drivers with features that range from a trendy, boxy exterior to special "mood lighting" on the inside. The model also carries a low $13,300 base price - perfect for teen and 20-something car buyers.
Motor Mouth recently tested the $15,900 Soul Plus, the model's mid-level trim line.
On the outside, this car takes its cues from Toyota's popular Scion xB.
Looking like a minivan that you accidentally shrank in a clothes dryer, the Soul features a compact hood that sweeps back toward small five-spoke wheels.
However, the model also boasts cool hefty front doors and large folding side mirrors. Additionally, higher trim lines come standard with sharp-looking black-tinted rear windows.
All the way back, the Soul sports large tail lights and a deliberately boxy liftgate.
Inside, the model features a design that's somewhat spartan, but still nice looking.
Both the driver's and front passenger's seats offer good legroom, headroom and hiproom. My test model also came with a cloth finish that featured the word "Soul" weaved into the fabric over and over again.
In back, the Soul's 60/40 split fold-down rear seats offer good headroom, but only so-so legroom and hiproom. Although theoretically designed to accommodate three adults, this space is a bit tight for two grownups during all but short city trips.
All the way back, the Kia's 19.3-cubic-foot cargo area provides enough space for perhaps one large suitcase. There's also a private storage box built into the cabin floor.
If you need more cargo space, the Soul's rear seats fold down to create a generous 63.4 cubic feet of space. That's enough room for four or five large suitcases.
The Soul's dashboard features a compact but efficient layout: A big speedometer and large tachometer laid out side-by-side with smaller fuel and temperature gauges.
My test car's standard six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius stereo likewise offered a small digital display mixed with 13 well-marked buttons and knobs.
More importantly, this sound system features the Soul's snazziest feature: Nightclub-like mood lighting.
To give the car a unique vibe, Kia outfits doors on the Soul Plus and higher trim lines with lights that flash on and off in tempo with any music that you're listening to.
Kids will love using this feature while cruising around on hot summer nights with the windows down and the radio blaring. (Parents, neighbors and your local police department will be less thrilled.)
On the road, the Soul's carlike frame and independent front and rear suspensions team up to provide a fairly good ride.
Although the model lacks a large SUV's "high-up" road view, the Soul's big windows and small frame make backing up and parking a snap.
The model also brakes and corners well, while the Soul's 142-horsepower four-cylinder engine accelerates adequately, if a bit noisily. Motor Mouth's test car loudly revved up to 5,200 rpm just to go from 0 mph to 40 mph getting on the highway.
On the plus side, the EPA rates the Soul's fuel efficiency at a pretty good 24 mpg/city and 30 mpg/highway.
The model's $13,300 entry price also stacks up nicely against the Scion xB's $16,700 base sticker.
The bottom line: If you're old enough for a driver's license - but young enough to have a MySpace page - the 2009 Kia Soul is definitely worth checking out.
By Jerry Kronenberg / Motor Mouth
No comments:
Post a Comment