Solo performance / KIA test drives

LIVE BROADCAST

In cheaper versions

instead of a speaker at the top

of the console there's a niche for small items.

There's also a socket for

connecting an iPod.

Visibility is good,

and the parking sensors are complemented

by a camera with a display on

the interior mirror.

It gives a close to

reality picture

COZY SEATING

The seats are firm and fit

the average figure well.

You can order

a provocatively bright

upholstery color

RECTANGLE

DIMENSIONS

The luggage compartment volume

is not impressive.

But if you fold

the rear backrest in parts,

the Soul turns into

a real little van.

The loading height is high.

But that's the price for

the large ground clearance,

thanks to which the Soul easily

conquers city

curbs

Promising ground clearance, solid 18-inch wheels (in the top trim!) and a determined "chin" of the protective body kit. The crossover image played a cruel trick on me: relaxing, I boldly headed the Soul onto the sand of a Spanish beach... We dug it out together! And all because all-wheel drive is not provided for the Soul at all. As well as for the Hyundai i20, the future KIA Rio and other compacts that will be based on the new "front-wheel-drive-only" platform. For the Soul, it's more important to seem than to be. The main thing is to look good. The car was created with an eye on the USA, where special effects are loved; the design was born in a Californian design studio, and the only body style is so well executed that it seems the designers were hooked on energy drinks. Even in sunny, cheerful Spain, the Soul looks like a concentrate of positivity. And it can be even brighter: an optional paint job with tattoo ornaments and vibrant interior trim colors are available. The Soul stands out in city traffic, and KIA assures that in its own segment it also stands apart, with no direct competitors. They say similar "curb conquerors" like the Ford Fusion, Suzuki Ignis and SX4, Toyota Urban Cruiser don't count... But you look at it and believe again: you won't find another one like it.

Journalists were shown the Soul with two 1.6 engines familiar from the Cee'd model: a petrol (124 hp) and a turbodiesel (128 hp). Both work with a 5-speed manual, although there is also a 4-speed automatic. Americans are destined for a more powerful 2.0 petrol, and soon a hybrid Soul with petrol and electric motors will follow. Which engines, besides the 1.6 petrol, we will get in February was not specified at the presentation. KIA representatives only suggested that for Russia, the 2.0 suits better than the diesel. Can't argue with that. Of the two 1.6 versions, I preferred the torquey diesel. It's noisy, but its character perfectly matches the car's image. You have to shift often, but the gearbox is excellent, and if you miss a gear, the engine will try to "pull" to the active rev zone and briskly accelerate the Soul again even in fifth gear. The petrol 1.6 — also noisy, by the way — has a smoother characteristic and pulls better at high revs, so you also often need to downshift. The engine is "strangled" for the sake of ecology and economy, but KIA hopes that young and active drivers will even enjoy yanking the lever to keep the car on its toes. The suspension for Russian versions will most likely be European. After all, the European Soul differs from the American or Korean not only in engines: instead of hydraulic power steering, there's a more expensive but economical electric power steering, and the "tightened" suspension is not as comfortable. On 18-inch wheels, the Soul rides firmly, reading all the bumps. But the body roll of the tall rectangular body is minimal, crosswinds don't bother much, and on the highway the Soul holds its course clearly. Handling will appeal to active drivers. The steering wheel with pleasant effort is informative, and reactions are predictable: it tends to understeer, but willingly and obediently tucks into a corner when you lift off the throttle. The driver's seat is also good. No "creativity for creativity's sake" — you get used to it easily. If the steering wheel had reach adjustment, finding the right position would be easier. The "crossover effect" is not the only illusion: in fact, the Soul is bigger and more spacious than it seems at first glance. You sit almost vertically, the cushions are a bit short, the trunk is small, but the designers "won" plenty of space for four. And the interior, trimmed with simple plastic, is well assembled and well insulated from noise. As an affordable city car for individuals, the KIA Soul would do great. But Russian prices promise to be at the level of the Cee'd hatchback. So, the pleasure is not cheap. Although its design is worth a lot, and young people will surely choose the Soul with their hearts, on emotions. They'll see how the speaker pulses with backlighting, open the compartments for small items, painted red inside — as confirmation that the car's essence is bright. And they'll think with delight: "It's alive!"