What Is It?
It�s a very subtly refreshed Kia box. With the Soul only in its third year of production, Kia has addressed what it admits was the car�s main weakness by way of two upgraded engines and new transmissions.
First, the important part: The base 1.6-liter four-cylinder now makes 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque, up from 122 and 115, thanks to the addition of direct injection. The Soul�s 2.0-liter four now makes 164 hp and 148 lb-ft, increases of 22 hp and 11 lb-ft. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions replace a pair of five-speed sticks and a four-speed auto. The new transmissions help to increase the Soul�s EPA fuel economy with the 1.6-liter from last year�s 26 mpg city/31 highway with either transmission to 27/35; the 2.0�s ratings rise from 24/30 to 26/34.
Allow us to point out the styling changes. The pug face�s lower fascia has been revised with a wider trapezoidal lower lip and larger fog lamps. Out back is a similarly new, wider-looking fascia below the liftgate. Top-of-the-line Soul Exclaim (Kia wants us to put an italicized exclamation mark there, but we refuse) models now include LED daytime running lights and taillights. And that�s about it.
How Does It Drive?
In a pretty familiar manner. The sole Soul we drove in and around Seoul was a 2.0-liter with the automatic. It had plenty of power for passing maneuvers on South Korea�s well-maintained highways. The six-speed auto is a vast improvement over the four-speed. It shifts quickly�although we did note a slight delay during some downshifts�and its taller final-drive ratio keeps the engine quieter (and more efficient) when cruising. Those Souls with the upgraded 1.6-liter should perform similarly to the outgoing 2.0-liter models, which hit 60 in 7.9 seconds; the revised 2.0-liter should be good for a 0-to-60 time in the low 7s.
Although we didn�t sample it on a Soul, Kia did allow us to drive a 2012 Rio5 equipped with its �idle stop and go� (ISG) system. ISG is a simple, unobtrusive stop/start system for auto-equipped cars. It turns off the engine when the load permits at a standstill and fires it back up when your foot comes off the brake pedal. Later this year, we will get a Soul Eco, which will bundle ISG with low-rolling-resistance tires and an active-eco setting that dulls throttle response. Eco Souls will see fuel mileage increase to 29/36 with the 1.6-liter and 27/35 with the 2.0. Manual buyers will have to exercise their key wrists to see similar gains.
How Does It Stack Up?
Kia�s entry remains our choice in the boxy little hatchback segment, facing off as it does against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB. (In case you�re wondering, the Honda Element is dead for 2012.) The Soul�s newfound power solidifies that position. Plus, the Soul comes in brown, with an optional two-tone interior whose trim pieces and seat inserts remind us of frozen Coke. Delicious frozen Coke. Newly available equipment for 2012 includes Kia�s Uvo infotainment system and an Infinity sound-system upgrade.
What�s the Cost?
Much to no one�s surprise, Kia has kept the 2012 Soul�s price pretty close to that of last year�s model, with stickers seeing an increase of $600 to $800. A base Soul with the 1.6 and a manual starts at $14,650, with the automatic adding $1800 to the price. The Soul Plus starts at $17,050 and includes more equipment, including the 2.0-liter; an auto costs an extra grand here. The top-spec Exclaim is auto-only and runs $20,350. The Sport model, with its unique suspension tune, dies off for 2012.
So that�s more power, better efficiency, and basically the same price, all in the same useful, packaging-focused little hatch. Planned obsolescence with no real downside.
by caranddriver.comIt�s a very subtly refreshed Kia box. With the Soul only in its third year of production, Kia has addressed what it admits was the car�s main weakness by way of two upgraded engines and new transmissions.
First, the important part: The base 1.6-liter four-cylinder now makes 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque, up from 122 and 115, thanks to the addition of direct injection. The Soul�s 2.0-liter four now makes 164 hp and 148 lb-ft, increases of 22 hp and 11 lb-ft. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions replace a pair of five-speed sticks and a four-speed auto. The new transmissions help to increase the Soul�s EPA fuel economy with the 1.6-liter from last year�s 26 mpg city/31 highway with either transmission to 27/35; the 2.0�s ratings rise from 24/30 to 26/34.
Allow us to point out the styling changes. The pug face�s lower fascia has been revised with a wider trapezoidal lower lip and larger fog lamps. Out back is a similarly new, wider-looking fascia below the liftgate. Top-of-the-line Soul Exclaim (Kia wants us to put an italicized exclamation mark there, but we refuse) models now include LED daytime running lights and taillights. And that�s about it.
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In a pretty familiar manner. The sole Soul we drove in and around Seoul was a 2.0-liter with the automatic. It had plenty of power for passing maneuvers on South Korea�s well-maintained highways. The six-speed auto is a vast improvement over the four-speed. It shifts quickly�although we did note a slight delay during some downshifts�and its taller final-drive ratio keeps the engine quieter (and more efficient) when cruising. Those Souls with the upgraded 1.6-liter should perform similarly to the outgoing 2.0-liter models, which hit 60 in 7.9 seconds; the revised 2.0-liter should be good for a 0-to-60 time in the low 7s.
Although we didn�t sample it on a Soul, Kia did allow us to drive a 2012 Rio5 equipped with its �idle stop and go� (ISG) system. ISG is a simple, unobtrusive stop/start system for auto-equipped cars. It turns off the engine when the load permits at a standstill and fires it back up when your foot comes off the brake pedal. Later this year, we will get a Soul Eco, which will bundle ISG with low-rolling-resistance tires and an active-eco setting that dulls throttle response. Eco Souls will see fuel mileage increase to 29/36 with the 1.6-liter and 27/35 with the 2.0. Manual buyers will have to exercise their key wrists to see similar gains.
How Does It Stack Up?
Kia�s entry remains our choice in the boxy little hatchback segment, facing off as it does against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB. (In case you�re wondering, the Honda Element is dead for 2012.) The Soul�s newfound power solidifies that position. Plus, the Soul comes in brown, with an optional two-tone interior whose trim pieces and seat inserts remind us of frozen Coke. Delicious frozen Coke. Newly available equipment for 2012 includes Kia�s Uvo infotainment system and an Infinity sound-system upgrade.
What�s the Cost?
Much to no one�s surprise, Kia has kept the 2012 Soul�s price pretty close to that of last year�s model, with stickers seeing an increase of $600 to $800. A base Soul with the 1.6 and a manual starts at $14,650, with the automatic adding $1800 to the price. The Soul Plus starts at $17,050 and includes more equipment, including the 2.0-liter; an auto costs an extra grand here. The top-spec Exclaim is auto-only and runs $20,350. The Sport model, with its unique suspension tune, dies off for 2012.
So that�s more power, better efficiency, and basically the same price, all in the same useful, packaging-focused little hatch. Planned obsolescence with no real downside.
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