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New Kia Soul retains funky styling and fun driving characteristics

31 Mar 2013|4,727 views

Kia Motors has revealed an updated version of the trendy Soul urban crossover at the New York International Auto Show.

The 2014 Soul is available in three unique trim levels - Base, Plus and Exclaim - for the U.S. market when it goes on sale in the third quarter of this year.

Certain design elements like the large trapezoidal lower air intake and the location of the fog lights mirror those found on the Track'ster concept

The signature Soul image is retained, though it has been revised with a design that resembles the Track'ster concept that was unveiled in Chicago last year.

The new Soul's body enjoys a 28.7 percent increase in torsional rigidity over the current model thanks to use of ultra-high strength and high strength steel. The new chassis is stiffer, longer and wider, for more passenger room and 685 litres of luggage space. The 2014 Soul also offers reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness.

The 2014 Soul's interior infuses a more premium look and feel with application of soft-touch materials on the instrument panel, centre console and door panels. Certain versions offer leather seating with improved lateral and thigh support, and the use of high-gloss piano-black trim pieces on the centre console and dash.

Most prominent in the new instrument panel is the eight-inch capacitive touch screen which houses Kia's second generation telematics and infotainment system.

Its wide viewing angle affords better visibility and allows the user to scroll with the stroke of a finger. Living side by side for the first time in a Kia vehicle are the ancillary controls for audio/video and optional navigation controls. Combining the controls on a single screen helps reduce driver distraction and improves overall functionality and ease of use.

The base Soul is powered by a 1.6-litre all-aluminium DOHC four-cylinder Gasoline Direct injection (GDi) engine which is capable of 130bhp and 159Nm of torque. The Plus and Exclaim trim models enjoy the more powerful 2.0-litre powerplant good for 164bhp and 204Nm of torque.

The 1.6-litre engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or and optional a six-speed automatic. The Plus trim model may be equipped with either transmission while the Exclaim is available exclusively with the six-speed automatic.

The 2014 Soul is available in three unique trim levels - Base, Plus and Exclaim - for the U.S. market when it goes on sale in the third quarter of this year.

The signature Soul image is retained, though it has been revised with a design that resembles the Track'ster concept that was unveiled in Chicago last year.

The new Soul's body enjoys a 28.7 percent increase in torsional rigidity over the current model thanks to use of ultra-high strength and high strength steel. The new chassis is stiffer, longer and wider, for more passenger room and 685 litres of luggage space. The 2014 Soul also offers reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness.

The 2014 Soul's interior infuses a more premium look and feel with application of soft-touch materials on the instrument panel, centre console and door panels. Certain versions offer leather seating with improved lateral and thigh support, and the use of high-gloss piano-black trim pieces on the centre console and dash.

Most prominent in the new instrument panel is the eight-inch capacitive touch screen which houses Kia's second generation telematics and infotainment system.

Its wide viewing angle affords better visibility and allows the user to scroll with the stroke of a finger. Living side by side for the first time in a Kia vehicle are the ancillary controls for audio/video and optional navigation controls. Combining the controls on a single screen helps reduce driver distraction and improves overall functionality and ease of use.

The base Soul is powered by a 1.6-litre all-aluminium DOHC four-cylinder Gasoline Direct injection (GDi) engine which is capable of 130bhp and 159Nm of torque. The Plus and Exclaim trim models enjoy the more powerful 2.0-litre powerplant good for 164bhp and 204Nm of torque.

The 1.6-litre engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or and optional a six-speed automatic. The Plus trim model may be equipped with either transmission while the Exclaim is available exclusively with the six-speed automatic.