2010 Kia Soul Review

Preview

What We Know

Forget about the Smart Fortwo, because the real star of next year's microcar class could be the 2009 Kia Soul. First shown as a concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Kia announced production of the Soul earlier this year. Looking like a slightly taller and boxier Mini Cooper, the Kia Soul has a strangely appealing style for a budget-price hatchback. Although its roof is relatively flat, the Soul's steeply sloping window line gives it a reverse wedge shape that's a little more dynamic than most cars in this class. When it announced production, Kia also said that the Soul would get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. A five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability would be used as well. Assume there will be a manual transmission of some kind, too. The 2.0-liter engine used in the current-model Kia Spectra puts out just 138 horsepower, so hopefully the Soul will get a slight boost before it arrives next year. Interior shots of the prototypes reveal a dashboard arrangement similar to the concept. There's a large U-shaped center console that houses the climate controls and radio faceplate. The instrument panel is all-new, however, with three large binnacles for the gauges instead of Kia's typical flat panel. Below the main center console, our photographers were able to zoom in on what looks like a USB port, so the possibility of an optional hard drive looks good.

What Edmunds.com says

Distinctive styling should help this small hatchback stand out in a field of competent, but generally dull looking rivals.