Walking through the Chicago Auto Show with a colleague earlier this year, I mentioned that I saw two new 2010 models I thought would be hits: The Nissan Cube, which I haven't driven, and the Kia Soul, which I have.
After a week with the Soul, I'm more convinced than before that it will be one of the handful of bright spots in this dark market.
The Soul -- and the Cube, for that matter -- is pretty much a box on wheels, similar to the Scion xB and Honda Element. The original xB had a certain funkiness that made it successful far beyond even Scion's expectations: The second-generation xB is larger, more powerful, more expensive and substantially less funky, alienating a portion of the original market. To those people: Check out the Soul.
After years of buying vehicles above their means, I'm thinking in this next year we'll see people spending below their means, which suggests the success stories will likely be appealing, unique vehicles that cost less than $20,000.
While the Soul's base price is less than $14,000, you can't get a lot for that, but the test model was loaded with features, and it listed for well under $19,000. Some of those features I like (a power sunroof, nice 18-inch alloy wheels, a good sound system with Sirius satellite radio), a few I could live without, such as red interior mood lights that can flash on and off with the beat of the music you're listening to.
Mechanically, the Soul is basic and straightforward: The standard engine is a 1.6-liter, 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine, but most models, including the one tested here, will have the 142-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That engine is a little coarse and loud, but mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, it gets the job done.
EPA-rated fuel mileage is a decent 24 mpg city driving, 30 mpg on the highway.
Kia gets a bit precious with the colors ("Molten," "Alien," "Java") and the model designations, which include the base model, the Sport, and the Soul+ and Soul!, which was the test vehicle, and written out on a specification sheet, is "Soul Exclamation Mark." The level of luxury varies as you climb the ladder, but underneath the skin, all Souls are pretty much the same, with the exception of the two engine options and the automatic and manual transmissions.
Inside, evidence of cost-cutting is scarce. Front bucket seats are comfortable, and the rear seat is pretty roomy for two, tolerable for three. The list of safety equipment is complete: Side and side-curtain air bags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, stability control and front active headrests. There are anchors and tethers in the rear for child seats.
None of this clever packaging would matter if the Soul doesn't deliver as solid transportation, and it does. Ride is compliant and handling is good, thanks in part to the plump P225/45R-18 radials. The Kia's suspension is uncomplicated, but it works.
Styling alone should be enough to get the Soul more than its share of attention, but it closes the deal by making a lot of sense as a practical people-mover.
Nicely done, Kia.
Steven Cole Smith
Orlando Sentinel
Enginehead.com
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