Whether or not the boxy-styled cars that straddle the line between SUV and hatchbacks are a passing fad or the shape of things to come remains to be seen. Just by the very nature of their squared-off silhouettes, they offer rather remarkable space and practicality, but the aesthetics typically leave much to be desired. The 2011 Kia Soul can be counted among these boxes on wheels, but it sets itself apart with more intriguing styling and fewer harsh corners.
Like the competition, the Kia Soul offers a long list of features and customization options. It also parts with convention with funky trim names like Soul + and Soul !. No, those aren't typos: The plus sign and exclamation point are indeed the trim levels. Features like an illuminated speaker surround that pulses with the music are certainly novelties aimed at the youth market, but the Soul also has some practical appeal. An affordable price and generous warranty are two of its more prominent attributes.
Kia's engineers also managed to infuse the Soul with peppy engine performance (at least on the upper trim levels) and sporty handling. Together, they make the Soul a surprisingly fun-to-drive small car that's still a cinch to maneuver around tight city confines in relative comfort. On the highway, last year's Soul had a choppy ride quality, but the new rear shock absorbers should at least partially remedy that problem.
While the Kia Soul's interior is a model of practicality, there are plenty of youthful design touches and colors to spice things up. A podlike center stack protrudes from the dash, placing simple audio and climate controls within easy reach. Optional special upholstery and two-tone color schemes add a modern feel to the cabin, something missing in much of the Kia's competition.
There's no shortage of space inside, with high-mounted seats providing plenty of legroom for even the tallest passengers, while the tall, boxy roof line offers ample headroom. Luggage space behind the rear seats amounts to 19 cubic feet. Folding these seats flat kicks that figure up to 53 cubes. This is marginally less than the Honda Fit, several feet shy of the Nissan Cube and well short of the Scion xB's 70 cubic feet.
The Soul has seating for up to five with its front bucket seats and rear bench seat. The bench seat is split and can be folded down to expand the cargo area. Interior features include:
*Standard air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, CD stereo with USB and auxiliary inputs
*Standard cloth seats
*Optional cruise control, keyless entry and height-adjustable driver's seat
*Optional uplevel audio system
the Soul now features new projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights and revised tail lamps.
Two new paint colors – Canyon and Moss – are also added to the Soul’s design chart for 2012.
Featuring a rounded front end that's reminiscent of a Mini Cooper, the Soul has short front and rear overhangs and a fairly raked windshield. Exterior features include:
*Standard 15-inch wheels
*Optional 16- and 18-inch wheels
*Optional moonroof
*Optional rear spoiler and fog lights
Base Souls will be rated at 34 mpg on the highway thanks to a 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder. So-equipped Souls will only be offered with a six-speed manual, which will help make the most of the 135 horsepower and 121 lb-ft. of torque.
A six-speed automatic will be optional on the upgraded 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Putting out 160 horsepower and 143 lb-ft. of torque, this larger four will be standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul Sport models.
The 1.6-liter is rated at 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter checks in at 27/33 mpg with either transmission.
Standard safety equipment for all 2011 Kia Soul models includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, stability control, traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.
The Kia Soul has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedure. Its 2010 rating (which isn't comparable to 2011 ratings) was a top five-star rating for frontal and side crash protection for both front seat occupants and four stars for side-impact protection for rear passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Soul its highest score of "Good" in its frontal offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.
reference:www.edmunds.com,www.leftlanenews.com,www.cars.com
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