2010 Kia Soul – Small & Efficient

Casey Williams, www.car-data.com

Kia got Soul!

I was talking to a gentleman at the recent Indianapolis Auto Show who was getting out of a cool Mini Cooper Clubman. Out of curiosity, I asked him what he liked best at the show. He quickly mentioned the Dodge Challenger, 2010 Ford Mustang, Ford F-150, Camaro, Infinitis, and Corvette Z06.Then, he paused and noted the new Kia Soul. He, like a lot of other show goers, thought it looked good and made small cars seem fun.

Designed at Kia’s studios in Southern California, it has a funky beach buggy look that would play as well in Europe or Japan as America. It is a tall, boxy car like the Scion xB, but is visually broken up with thick wheel arches, chiseled character lines, faux engine vent in the front fenders, a rounded nose, and upturned rear windows. People sit up high for comfort and to allow a very small footprint for tight parking.

The interior looks like it could have come from a small Nissan Murano and features two-tone dashboard, canvas seats, and center controls fit for a spaceship. Bluetooth phone connection,leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio/cruise controls, and air-conditioning are standard. A sunroof, 18′ alloy wheels, power mirrors, Sirius Satellite Radio, and iPOD connection for full dashboard controllability are optional.

An independent front and torsion beam rear suspension systems are built to a price point, but can be stiffened for sporty handling. Base models come with a 120 horsepower, 1.6-litre,four-cylinder engine connected to a five-speed manual transmission. An optional 140-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder, mated to either the five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission, moves things along a bit quicker. Exact ratings are not yet available, but Kia promises over 30-MPG with either engine.

It won’t cost the devil much to buy this Soul. Prices range from $14,000-18,000 depending on options. Comprehensive coverage includes 10-year/100,000-mile power train, 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic, 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranties and a 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan. Competition for the Scion xB, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Pontiac G3, Nissan Versa,and upcoming Ford Fiesta beginning this spring.