Major UK’s press and media, including Autoexpress, have been invited to South Korea to gather first impressions of the all-new Kia Soul. Each day we take a look at some of the test-drives and so far, we have read two pretty favourable reviews from fellows at Autocar and What car. In case you missed those two articles, you can still read them here; Kia Soul1 and here; Kia Soul2.
Now, it’s turn to read what Autoexpress editors found out about the funky little Kia Soul when on the visit in Korea.
Their first opinion is very good. They gave the Soul four stars out of five, which is a very good remark and the same as five-door Kia cee’d received when first driven two years ago. It’s hard to say anything against the Soul’s styling and they like it pretty much. Impressed by the letterbox grille, smoked front lamps and flared wheelarches, they think the Soul will fly out of Kia dealer’s floors. Agree on that, don’t we?!
Inside, the cabin looks good and the Soul would be a perfect car if it only had better plastics inside. Yup, as of now, just about every editor mentioned the quality of plastics, which seems to be not of the highest quality!
The good news: I was told some people are trying to persuade Kia to do a better job! That’s a good news and Kia can only benefit from that!!
Autoexpress drove both, gasoline and diesel versions and they preferred a diesel unit that generates 126 horsepower and lots of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm. They seem to be impressed with the ride and it’s price as well. The price for the Soul will start bellow Ł11,000 and will increase with additional features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, dragon vinyls, rear display integrated parking camera and others.
Follow this link to read the original article at Autoexpress website.
So, this was, in my opinion, the best review we could have read so far. Tomorrow, I’ll browse through the web to see whether there are some other magazines that reported on 1,6L CRDI Kia Soul.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Greg will hate it, but once again: Diesel Rules!
October 24th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I know. I wish diesel was cheap here in UAE so that more diesels would be sold here. I love the torque in diesels.
October 24th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Anybody notice that they’re quoting 55.4 mpg for the diesel in the article? I’m sure that’s imperial mpg, but that still works out 46mpg US. Bring that diesel to the US!
October 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
bring it to the USA! (diesel)
October 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Laws, yes – bring the diesel to the US! I’ll take a Diesel hybrid while they’re at it. I have no idea why US drivers hate diesel so much. A diesel hybrid would be my dream. Even with the imperfect plastics, whatever those are. If that’s the worst thing they can say about the Soul, I am SO ready to see it here in the US!
October 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
You forgot to mention, though, t hat they rated the ride as “Poor” – even worse on the 18″ wheels. Disappointing. But, people complained about the Sportage and the Rio, and I’ve never had a problem with either. So it may be nothing. I must say, though – after driving my Sedona, it’s going to be an adjustment no matter what my next car is!
October 27th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I like the stiff suspension of sportage. I should have no probs adjusting myself with soul’s.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
A butt-load of American drivers DO like diesel rigs. But our American laws forbid the sale of certain diesel motors here. We’d rather drive our huge SUV’s and pick-em-up trucks like we own the world and to hell wit everyone else. Pity, though. BTW-I love that orange Kia Soul above! That now bumps the Green Tea Latte Soul to third place for me. Tomato Red is first, followed by Orange Whatever, and then Green Tea Latte.