UK automotive media are the first ones to test drive the 2009 Kia Soul. The fellows at Whatcar magazine put together a short preview of the Korean-spec Soul model when on visit in South Korea. The same folks also exclusively test drove the 2010 Kia Sorento prototype, which report you could have read at the KIA-WORLD blog yesterday.

They test drove a brand-new Soul equipped with 1,6L CRDI diesel engine that generates quite a respectable amount of horsepower (126hp). This is their first Soul review and they collected some interesting opinions on the car. I will not get into the actual review, but would like to point out some important details.

The Soul is described as an attractive looking car that offers lots of interior space and is a great value with a temptingly low starting price of just Ł11,000. Although the cabin plastics aren’t the last word in quality, the interior is comfortable and attractively designed. It offers a variety of interior colours and seat fabrics. Whatcar states that there is plenty of space in the Soul, almost nearly as much as in the Nissan Qashqai, a vehicle larger by at least one size.

Engines are good too and are already familiar to us from the cee’d hatchback. They test drove Souls equipped with 1,6L gasoline and diesel engines, each generating the same amount of power (126hp). They preferred the diesel engine as it’s flexible and reasonably refined with lots of power to pull the vehicle.

In general, Whatcar liked the Soul’s attractive appearance, spacious interior and large amount of options that allow a customer to personalize the car, however, they were disappointed with it’s ride. The ride was rated as poor, especially in the model with 18-inch tires.

Until I get to drive the car myself, I hardly say anything in the response, but one thing is clear, the ride in a compact car, sitting on a low profile 18-inch tires, will never be as comfortable as in any luxury car.

Here is an excerpt from Whatcar magazine along with the direct link to the full review at the end.

Kia Soul test drive:

It’s always nice to be first and Kia has stolen a march on rivals with the Soul – the first of a raft of supermini-sized, 4×4-a-likes coming to the UK.

They all promise space, style, value and something different to the norm.

Expect similar offerings from Citroen, Skoda and Toyota over the next 12 months, with Mini and Nissan expected to join the party before too long.

Kia sees the Soul as its Mini – you can have your Soul pretty much any way you like it.

Accessories range from the sublime (iPod connection, navigation system, reversing camera with screen in the rear view mirror) to the ridiculous (flashing lights in the speakers, lairy graphics, headlamp ‘lashes’)…Whatcar

Related link: Kia Soul gallery

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