Kia Soul - Know the compact crossover inside-out

If you are planning to buy a small SUV or crossover like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 or the Jeep Renegade, think again. As all these cars are trying to compete with the Kia Soul which has dominated the market for a long time. The car may look boxy and tall, which are not the best words to describe this Soul. But if you look carefully, this South Korean subcompact crossover has things on its spec sheet that will catch your attention and boy you won't be disappointed.

Thoughtful styling

The Kia Soul is packaged in a quirky exterior design that one may or may not like. But one of the reasons this vehicle has done so well is because of its distinctive styling. But this boxy design has a great benefit, a lot of interior space. Enough space which keeps Soul ahead on the points table than its competitors. A silver skid plate on the bottom adds toughness to the front fascia, while the blacked-out pillars on the windshield give it a "floating roof" look. The rear end is boxy, which could have been better if it had a bit of curve like the Mazda CX-3. Compared to the front, the rear is not as pretty. Nevertheless, it has its own appeal as its distinct shape and stature does most of the heavy lifting. While little styling flairs really help separate the Soul from any other small crossover in its category.

Snazzy interior

When you sit inside the car, you will notice that there is a lot of room, even a tall 6 footer will get around 4 inches of headspace. The A-pillar unlike the Honda HR-V or the Mazda CX-3 isn't curved but sharp, giving aid to more visibility and space. With an upright seating position, the all-round visibility is better than any other car in this segment. Another example of thoughtful design is the wide opening doors, which not only allow you to enter/exit easily, it is also less cumbersome than other crossovers to get your child seat in or out.

The Soul’s interior is not as quirky as its exterior if you don't count the dashboard which is full of circles, including the circular floating speakers, which has been carried from the old model. It can go easily head-to-head with the others in its class, as the materials used are above average, and the plastic used is not cheap-looking. It also saves its face by the quick pairing with smartphones via USB, the decent-sounding speakers, and the steering wheel buttons. The abundance of space is apparent at the trunk as well, which can fit even a small washing machine or some appliances, which you can even maximize more by folding the rear seats.

Amazing performance

Looks can be deceiving. This famous phrase perfectly describes the Kia Soul. This offbeat looking crossover has a 1.6-litre CRDi engine, an E- VGT, and a 7-speed DCT. With the maximum power output at 136 PS with peak torque at 300 Nm, may not seem like much when compared to its competitors like the Renegade, but at the price you get this car, it's a steal. This boxy-looking crossover has the soul of a hungry tiger on a hunt for the dinner. The subcompact crossover is quick, responsive, and reacts the moment you step on the accelerator. The thriftiness of the Accent hatchback (from where the engine is borrowed) rubs off on the Kia Soul as well. It gives a fuel consumption of notable 22 kmpl if driven decently. With these figures, you may never feel the need to use its Active Eco button to save up on diesel.

Configurable ride

Compared to the Renegade’s 9-Speed Automatic Transmission, the Soul gets a 7-speed DCT, which shifts precisely and quickly, but isn’t much of a performer at lower speeds. The DCT needs some getting used to, but when you get the hang of it, you will enjoy driving the car. Handling the crossover is also on-point as it has changeable modes to choose from - Comfort, Normal, and Sporty. The Normal mode is best for city maneuvers as well as highway cruises. Driving visibility is good, thanks to the tall body design and so is the ride comfort. The good ground clearance and the smooth suspension is able to traverse most road imperfections.

Basic safety

The Kia Soul available in the Philippines doesn't get as many safety and additional features as its European or American counterparts. Braking duties are handled by discs at both the ends. Adding to the safety aspects, you get Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Start Assist Control and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist System which will help you drive safely on any terrain or weather conditions. Unlike multiple airbags available in the global models, here you only get driver side airbag as standard and the top end gets dual airbags. You also get the keyless entry with alarm for the safety of your car. And for the safety of your child, ISOFIX anchors, which hold the child-seat securely in place.

The Kia Soul is indeed different than most cars in its segment. Unlike others, it is a youthful styled car with a speed-hungry machine packaged in it. For the price it's available, you can easily mistake it for a slow vehicle, but as we have described, it’s definitely not. Although it is quirky and maybe not the best looking car out there, but the Php 995,000 - Php 1.28 Million price tag and the amazing practicality, makes it pretty competitive within the growing subcompact crossover segment.