Clearly aimed at the young, the highline Infinity sound system is offered with a speaker lighting system. Integrated lights can pulsate to the beat, emulating a genuine club experience while en route to the club. While the lighting may be subject to individual taste, sound quality far exceeds the price point. Together with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth capabilities, the Soul is very attractive to the high-tech mobile entertainment crowd.
Utility is key for any self-respecting box, and with 14 storage zones the Soul ensures the perfect spot for every item you simply can't leave home without. This includes a large divided storage unit built into the raised rear floor. The rear storage compartment does invade on the main cargo volume, leaving 19.3 cubic feet, or 53.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down.
Compare the Kia Soul, Scion xB and Nissan cube
On the RoadOn the hip urban streets of Miami, the Soul+ and Soul! feel right at home. The 2.0-liter engine shines around town with its flat torque curve and enough low-end grunt to make stop-and-go driving a breeze. Out on the highway, there is again little to complain about other than slightly above-average wind noise, common for the aerodynamically challenged box design. Gearing on the standard 5-speed manual takes full advantage of the power band for a sporty feel, despite a shifter that's slightly less vague than a car-industry CEO at a Senate hearing. The slightly sluggish 4-speed automatic could be the only glaring misstep in the face of the competition's better-suited 5-speed units.
Utility is key for any self-respecting box, and with 14 storage zones the Soul ensures the perfect spot for every item you simply can't leave home without. This includes a large divided storage unit built into the raised rear floor. The rear storage compartment does invade on the main cargo volume, leaving 19.3 cubic feet, or 53.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down.
Compare the Kia Soul, Scion xB and Nissan cube
On the RoadOn the hip urban streets of Miami, the Soul+ and Soul! feel right at home. The 2.0-liter engine shines around town with its flat torque curve and enough low-end grunt to make stop-and-go driving a breeze. Out on the highway, there is again little to complain about other than slightly above-average wind noise, common for the aerodynamically challenged box design. Gearing on the standard 5-speed manual takes full advantage of the power band for a sporty feel, despite a shifter that's slightly less vague than a car-industry CEO at a Senate hearing. The slightly sluggish 4-speed automatic could be the only glaring misstep in the face of the competition's better-suited 5-speed units.
Around town, the Soul is predictably taut, but not overly harsh. The ride can get busy at times over uneven city streets due to the torsion-beam rear suspension, a standard cost-cutting measure in the class. The Soul actually shows some promise on twisty back roads, which are not the typical habitat for anything referred to as a "box." Initial steering sensation is immediate, and — dare we say it — enjoyable. A bit more feedback midcorner, and the Kia might officially be fun to toss around. The meaty 225/45R18 performance tires on our Exclaim did not disappoint, offering above-average grip for hard corners and quick stops.
Mileage from this econobox is EPA-rated at a healthy 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway for the 1.6-liter base version, and 24/30 for our 2.0-liter testers, regardless of transmission choice.
Discuss: With loads of style and hip features, could the new Kia Soul dethrone the competition?
Right for You?The 2010 Kia Soul offers bang for the buck that's hard to beat with a base price of $13,300, and a fully loaded version tops out at less than 20 grand. With sights clearly set on the Scion xB, Kia has built a vehicle that is either on par with or a step ahead of the competition in nearly every category. It should be noted that Kia does not consider the Honda Fit direct competition. Whether you're a 23-year-old, a loft-dwelling DJ, or simply someone who appreciates fun, the 2010 Kia Soul is a feature-packed budget buy with an extra shot of style that definitely deserves a look.
_(544x408).jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment