Kia Soul reviews are coming in…
Kia Motors America has invited the US automotive media and press to the hot and sunny Miami where the company has held a National Press Introduction for it’s 2010 Kia Soul crossover over the last few days.
Some 120 invited journalists has had a chance to experience the Soul first-hand and according to the Kia-buzz editors, the attendees were having lots of fun while taking test-drives and getting to know the new Soul better.
There are already plenty of Soul reviews everywhere, and many more are expected to pop up to the web over the next few days. I searched around to find some of the latest ones so I could pick up some interesting editors quotes. As you’ll see, there’s mostly the good stuff written about the Soul, so it seems like automotive media has also been impressed with the looks and driving habits of the new Kia Soul.
Now let’s take a look at some interesting quotes found in the recently published 2010 Kia Soul reviews:
Jalopnik
It’s hard to stand out in Miami given the abundance of partially undressed woman and white Lamborghinis, yet the Kia garnered a disproportionate amount of attention and not just because we were driving like tourists. It looks different. And for an economy car, with the stick shift and comically oversized 18-inch wheels, it actually drives like something just a little different, offering quicker-than-expected steering and less-than-expected lean when really pushing it.
Autoweek:
Yes, it’s fairly similar to the Honda Element, the Scion xB and the xD and the Nissan Cube. But the Soul is arguably a bit edgier with its reverse greenhouse cabin setup and wheels as big as 18 inches.
Autoblog:
Come to think of it, that stance is surprisingly wide, with what appears to be a broader track than anything that might reasonably be called a competitor. And now that you mention it, for a box, the Soul is pretty funky looking – check out that tapered greenhouse and cantilevered roof. For a small car, this thing has gobs of character.
Nextautos:
Kia executives seemed to recognize that their current line doesn’t offer any sort of heart-throbbing passion, but they have big plans to completely turn the tables over the next few years, starting with the introduction of the 2010 Soul which we recently had the chance to experience first-hand on the sun-drenched streets of Miami.
Thecarconnection:
The 2010 Kia Soul outsmarts fun urban wagons like the Scion xB and Nissan Cube with uniquely kicky styling, more room and an easygoing attitude.
Autoexpress.co.uk
Kia is looking to shake up the establishment with its new Soul. It’s aimed at the likes of MINI and the Fiat 500, and the Korean firm has created three special editions for launch, each in a single colour and with a fixed set of options – the Samba, Burner and Shaker.
Visit these links to read complete coverage on the 2010 Kia Soul: Jalopnik, Autoweek, Autoblog, Nextautos, Thecarconnection, Autoexpress,
March 18th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
all VERY good reviews! GRATS, SOUL!
March 18th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Indeed Joshy! Lots of positive comments, there are some negatives posted as well, but hey, it’s a sub $14K vehicle. It can not be perfect! All I want is to be better than the competition…
March 18th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I like it ,but i all ready buy a kia ceed and I am very proud of it .
March 18th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Although I like the Soul and, having sat in both, find it more livable than the Nissan Cube, I would not buy one. I admit I don’t fit the intended demographics.
The upcoming Kia product that *really* excites me is the Forte. I can’t wait for reviews to hit the web.
I have looked for reviews of the already-released 2009 Cerato, the new Forte’s name in Asia and Australia and have found only a few superficial articles. It will be good to see complete reviews of the North American Forte.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I will post similar article when NA Forte reviews available…
March 19th, 2009 at 5:59 am
With these new Hyundai/KIA products out, a lot of us are doing to be doing some trading. The dealers will be saturated with used KIAs nd Hyundais. Then again, those who buy used cars oanly will get some good deals out there., and more people will see what we see in these cars.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:46 am
That should mean increased resale values.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
With saturated used car lot’s, that will mean LOWER resale values…
March 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
At he moment, there s a shortage of used vehicles in the US. Read the link: http://m.usatoday.com/202312/;jsessionid=CE35B25BCBF442DE932927BCE5E75D86.wap1
By the way, the Soul is a very cool car.
March 19th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Used car lots are NOT saturated! Used cars are selling like mad!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I sell both new and used cars. On my lot we are having problems getting used cars. Lots of customers are looking to by used due to the fact they can’t afford much. good thing i work for kia and the low msrp on our cars.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I can sell new Kias with full warranty for less than used. Especially with the 2008 model rebates.
March 21st, 2009 at 5:27 am
Yeah, I do. I did that at the end of January.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
By the way guys, I found out from a little birdie in corporate, that the Accent/Rio Blue Drive System coming out in September will be a mild Hybrid. The SOUL will share this B-segment hybrid system as well. Also, the next gen Rio and Accent will have a hyrbid option from day one, when they come out in September of 2010. They have been selling Rio and Accent Hybrids in China and Korea to work out the Kinks for the last 3 years now.
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
anyone see what the new rio looks like?
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Well, I don’t know if you have, but the “New Rio” is still not a reality, and could be discontinued very easily.
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:53 am
All righty-then. We now have a Greg in black color and a Greg in red color. The real Greg who hails from Manistee, MI, is the Greg in red, right? Or am I wrong? And let’s get an all-electric powertrain for the No.3 going ASAP, Kia! I’ll take mine in red with black grille piecing up front, or black with the grey fronting that we’ve already seen pictures of. Let’s stretch for a range of 200 miles, top speed of 85 mph, and a re-charge-up time of only 6 hours, or so. I’d be looking Kia’s way for our next new car if all of this were to happen right before my very Arizona eyes and noggin.
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 am
Wow is the other Greg misinformed about the new rio..
March 24th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
The No.3 is called an MPV in Europe, but it would be too small to be one here. Its a little larger than the size of a Focus Hatchback by 2 or 3 inches, and if you know Hyundai/KIA they are famous for the B segment cars in America for the C segment sized space. Thus your KIA No.3 is probably going to be the US Spec Next Generation Rio
March 24th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Even though Peter Schrayer stated that this is on the same platform, but one step up.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Yes Bring the No. 3 to the states.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:07 am
I want a No.3! What do you do, No.3?