It’ll either inject some youth into your soul or drain the passion for cars from your soul. Either ways, the Kia Soul is a refreshing reminder of how cars can be a representation of individualism and taste.
It may not get people tripping over it but at a time when eccentricity matters matters as much as substance and practicality, the Kia Soul strikes what seems like a perfect balance; evidently, after blowing off its competitors since its introduction to the U.S. market in 2010.
Set to hit the streets in 2020, the Soul is offered with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine paired to a 6-speed manual or Kia’s very own Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), with 147 hp and 179 Nm of torque.
If a little more punch is needed, there’s a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged model, equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with 201 hp and 264 Nm – plenty of grunt for a car weighing 1,300-1,400 kg.
True to its versatile nature, the Soul can be had in various trims – GT Line, X-Line, EX Designer Collection – to suit various demographics and the image they’re trying to project.
The GT Line model offers a sportier look with large 18-inch wheels, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, larger brakes, tuned suspension, and of course a whole lot of red accents.
The X-Line would be more suited for those with a taste for the rugged outdoors. It’s got a chunkier, more robust look with flared wheel arches while the EX Designer Collection caters to the urban-trotting commuter, as the name clearly indicates.
Inside, the Soul bears the very essence of Kia’s current interior design, and then some. The cabin looks fun, quirky and doesn’t take itself too seriously but still upholds the principle of usability and practicality.
It even has different ambient lightings for different occassions and vibes! Even the name of the six different modes are as unconventional as the car’s design. There’s Romance, Midnight City, Cafe, Hey! Yo!, Travelling and Party Time.
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