Car: Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi
Prices: £14,000-£16,595 - on the road
Insurance Group: 6
Emissions: 137g/km
Performance: [1.6 CRDI] 0-60mph 10.7s / Max Speed 112mph
Fuel Consumption: [1.6 CRDI] (combined) 47.9mpg
Safety: ABS, ESP, front, side and curtain airbags. WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height 4105/1785/1610mm
SOUL OF DISCRETION?
Our Rating: 7.0 / 10
Kia wants its Soul to hit the right notes with younger buyers. Steve Walker investigates the 1.6 CRDi diesel.
It’s dangerous to start reading too much into car names. They usually have little or nothing to do with the vehicle itself. Some are chosen purely to slot into the manufacturer’s existing nomenclature, others are concocted in a focus group or result from one of the chairman’s bath time eureka moments. Kia’s Soul might be an exception. It’s an important car for Kia, a brand that has made great strides in terms of quality and engineering of late. It represents the Korean firm’s first real attempt at a vehicle with genuine style and individuality. The hope is that the Soul has got soul and we’re taking a look at the 1.6-litre diesel model to find out.
Soul in this context is a tough thing to define but you know when something has got it. It’s ephemeral combination of how a car looks, how it feels and what it means that somehow makes it into more than the sum of its parts. Manufacturers who manage to put their finger on this elusive quality are usually rewarded handsomely in the sales charts as customers rush to get a piece of what the car in question has got and pay a premium for it. With the Soul, Kia has set about its task in a rather formulaic manner, which isn’t a promising start. Melding chunky 4x4 styling themes with car-like driving dynamics and a catalogue of funky customisation options doesn’t look hugely imaginative but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The 1.6-litre CRDi engine is the Soul’s best. The 1.6-litre petrol alternative is cheaper but despite a similar power output, it’s also inferior to the smooth and punchy diesel. Using common-rail injection technology as found in all the best diesels these days, the unit amasses 260Nm of torque between 1,900 and 2,750rpm. This pulling power makes it a more relaxing drive, cutting down on the number of times you need to reach for the five-speed gearbox to maintain progress, and a more satisfying one with a purposeful swell of acceleration readily available through the majority of the rev range. In a wider context, this diesel can hold its own against similar units in rival models. A 0-60mph sprint takes 11.3s and the top speed is 109mph which isn’t too shabby for a small family car like the Soul.
The competent engine is let down to an extent by the Soul’s road manners. Kia have attempted to create a sporty flavour that would add to the car’s appeal amongst the younger fashion conscious buyers it’s targeting. In reality the ride is going to be on the firm side for some tastes and it’s made worse if the larger alloy wheel options are specified. All would be forgiven if the Soul handles with real relish but its high-sided body leans more than we’d like when cornered with vigour and the steering doesn’t have the weight and feel that would inspire confidence. On the plus side, the light helm is ideal for city driving as is the wide field of forward vision. The thick C-Pillars make seeing out of the back more problematic.
Kia has had some success with the Soul’s styling. It looks interesting and has a certain aggression about it thanks to the 4x4-esque flared wheelarches and imposing front end treatment. The rear is also distinctive with the square boot opening indented from the plane of the lights and the bumper. It looks almost as though it should disappear into the roof like a roller shutter with a pull on the handle. The floating roof, courtesy of the blacked-out A and B pillars, is another signature design cue but one that was already widely used by Skoda and Suzuki, so no points of originality there. The interior reveals nothing that might damage Kia’s newfound reputation for solid materials and quality construction. In the basic forms, it’s not particularly flashy but attempts have been made to liven up the look of the fascia and higher spec models bring a more upmarket feel.
The Soul is only a fraction longer than a Ford Fiesta supermini but its boxy dimensions help it trump any supermini you’d care to mention for interior space. The boot has a huge opening, a usefully high loading lip and compartments beneath the floor, while space in the back seats is also plentiful. What the car lacks is the adaptable seating set-up that’s to be found in some rival m
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