Kia Soul 1.6 : KIA PLAYS IT COOL

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Does Kia's extrovert Soul make sense with a 1.6-litre petrol engine? Steve Walker takes a look.

Trying to second guess the `youth of today' is a dangerous occupation of which many perfectly competent automotive manufacturers have fallen foul down the years. Produce a vehicle that's viewed as trendy and the potential rewards are massive but chasing the approval of the youth market and failing to win their approval can lead to disaster. The car risks being shunned by the very people it was designed for. Kia decided to walk this tightrope for the first time with its Soul, so can the 1.6-litre entry-level model avoid toppling off?

Previous cars from Kia had played it safe, sticking firmly to the middle of the road. By comparison, the Soul appears to be chasing the urban trendies across the grass verg,e sporting the latest hairstyle, blaring iPod and impossibly tight trousers. But is it really? The thing with new cars aimed at `young people' is that most who really are in that group don't have the cash to buy new cars. If they do, they've got better things to spend it on like MP3 downloads, binge drinking and retro trainers. So when a car manufacturer says it's targeting young people with a model, it usually means that it's targeting middle-aged people who want to drive a vehicle that they think young people will think is cool. It's complicated but Kia is sure it's got its head around the problem with its extrovert Soul. The 1.6-litre engine is fitted to the most affordable Soul models. It has 124bhp which is a decent amount of power to have in a vehicle that's barely any larger than a supermini. The performance is respectable, the Soul 1.6 reaching 60mph from a standing start in 11s and able to attain a 110mph top speeds where conditions allow. All in all, it's a competent unit that's strong enough at low speeds and through the gears but a little raucous during motorway cruising where the relatively short gearing forces it to rev high.

"Whether the Soul is trendy or not isn't for us to say but it's a car with more character and presence than you usually get at this price point"

The competent engine is let down to an extent by the Soul's road manners. Kia has attempted to create a sporty flavour that would add to the car's appeal amongst the younger fashion conscious buyers it says it's targeting. In reality, the ride is going to be on the firm side for some tastes and it's made worse if the larger alloy wheel options are specified. All would be forgiven if the Soul handled with some relish but its high-sided body leans more than we'd like when cornered with vigour and the steering doesn't have the weight and feel that would inspire confidence. On the plus side, the light helm is ideal for city driving, as is the light gearchange and the wide field of forward vision. The thick C-Pillars make seeing out of the back more problematic. Kia has had some success with the Soul's styling. It looks interesting and has a certain aggression about it thanks to the 4x4-esque flared wheelarches and imposing front end treatment. The rear is also distinctive, with the square boot opening indented from the plane of the lights and the bumper. It looks almost as though it should disappear into the roof like a roller shutter with a pull on the handle. The `floating roof', courtesy of the blacked-out A and B pillars, is another signature design cue but one that was already widely used by Skoda and Suzuki, so no points for originality there. The interior reveals nothing that might damage Kia's newfound reputation for solid materials and quality construction. In the basic forms, it's not particularly flashy but attempts have been made to liven up the look of the fascia and higher spec models bring a more upmarket feel. The Soul is only a fraction longer than a Ford Fiesta supermini but its boxy dimensions help it trump any supermini you'd care to mention for interior space. The boot has a huge opening, a usefully low loading lip and compartments beneath the floor, while space in the back seats is also plentiful. What the car lacks is the adaptable seating set-up that's to be found in some rival models. The trim level range for the 1.6-litre petrol Soul is split. At one end are the solid value for money models which are numbered 1 and 2. Then you have the more expensive Samba and Shaker trim levels which pile-on all kinds of lively styling features to give the Soul extra attitude. The alternative engine option is a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel which is £1,000 more than this petrol car model for model but isn't offered in the basic 1 trim. The 1 models come with steel wheels, a CD stereo with USB and AUX connectors, 60:40 split rear seats, air-conditioning, electric windows and remote central locking. The 2 adds 16" alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, steering wheel controls for the stereo and more but it's really with the Samba models that the Soul starts to show its true character. There's an upgraded stereo system with a sub woofer in the luggage bay and a centre speaker on the dash. LED lights on the other speakers can be set to flash in time with the music. There's also rear privacy glass, a spoiler and livelier trim colours. Despite the obvious 4x4 elements to its styling, the Soul isn't four-wheel-drive which helps with its efficiency. Combined economy is measured at 43.5mpg and emissions are 153g/km. Most superminis will trump the Soul's performance at the pumps but amongst front wheel-drive versions of small 4x4s, its showing is around par for the course. Kia's excellent warranty package will play a big role in gaining the sales for the Soul. Kia was certainly bold in its first dalliances with the trendy end of the UK car market. Previous models from this manufacturer were never as extrovert as the Soul and Kia deserves some credit for going in with all guns blazing. As a supermini-sized 4x4 lookalike, the Soul offers decent practicality and extra attitude over conventional superminis, with lower costs than a true 4x4. The 1.6-litre models yield acceptable performance and economy and the Soul handles well enough. The ride is firm and the engine sounds like it's working hard when cruising at motorway speeds. The higher spec Souls really go to town in livening up the interior and the bright colour schemes might not be to everyone's taste. Whether the Soul is trendy or not isn't for us to say but it's a car with more character and presence than you usually get at this price point.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Kia Soul 1.6
PRICES: £10,495-£12,495 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 5
CO2 EMISSIONS: 153g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11s / Max Speed 110mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 35.8mpg, (extra urban) 49.6mpg, (combined) 43.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS, ESP, front, side and curtain airbags. WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height 4105/1785/1610mm