Picture Gallery: 2010 Kia Soul 4u Burner | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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Just yesterday, CanadianDriver published my colleague Chris Chase’s review of the Kia Soul 4u. He was not driving a Burner edition, though, and his was orange (Lava) while mine is a more conservative greenish-grey (Denim). In case you missed it you can read his review by clicking here.
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Chris covers all the gory model details in his article, so I’ll skip them here for the most part. As mentioned, my tester is a Burner edition, which adds only a few minor details to the standard 4u model. On the exterior, these include: a rear spoiler (that I had to go double check was present, and it is there, but very subtle), different front and rear bumpers and an “Eyeline” turn signal.
On the inside, the “Burner” model adds a two-tone red and black interior. Those are all the differences for $1,000 over a regular 4u. Personally, I’d save the $1,000, although I really do like the black and red interior!
I loved the Nissan Cube when I did the first drive of it back a few months ago. I suspect I’ll enjoy this Soul as well, but will I like it as much as the Cube?
2010 Kia Soul 4u Burner
MSRP as tested (including destination): $23,845
For more information on Kia and the Soul visit Kia Canada
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Some will like it and some will hate it, but I really dig the two-tone red interior in my tester. Thankfully, Kia is offering this as an option, so not everyone will be forced to live with it. The rest of the interior isn’t as bold as the colour on my tester but it is functional and seems well-made for the segment, although some soft plastics in strategic places would be nice.
I am talking, of course, about the armrests on the doors. They are solid with no give, and a little painful on the elbow. The driver does get a padded swing-down armrest on the right hand side, which is a welcome addition as there is no centre storage bin; just two cupholders and an open area for odds and ends.
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The LED lights behind the speakers add to the cool interior ambiance and can be switched from “on” to “mood” (which has them pulse on and off in time with the music) to “off.” The first day I had the Soul, I thought it was cool and cranked it up to have the speakers light up to the music but now, three days later, and I’m over it, but I suspect it works well as a “gotta have it” feature on the showroom floor!
For a small vehicle the Soul is roomy, well laid out and practical. Also, it seems a lot larger from the inside than from the outside but doesn’t drive large; the Soul is a bit of the best of all worlds, it seems.
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When parking the Soul, the short wheel base and small dimensions also make it a breeze to back in or drive into nearly any spot. And its small doors make it easy to get out in tight quarters, too. The rear pillar, though, is large and takes a little getting used to, but I did not find it much of an issue.
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The brakes are very touchy. They can be modulated, but for those used to softer brake pedals, it is tough to make a clean stop without creating a whiplash effect. The brakes grab nearly instantly when the pedal is pushed and they haul the Soul to a dead stop quickly.
Acceleration is another story: unless you put your foot it in it, and really like to listen to a coarse-sounding engine, you will not break any land speed records. The four-speed automatic transmission also really enjoys its overdrive gear; it tends to shift up quickly, and if you lift off the throttle it will go into overdrive at city speeds to save fuel.
So far, all week I seem to be cruising well below 2,000rpm for the most part, which certainly seems to be helping fuel consumption, as I have used just over a quarter tank of fuel after 200km.
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There was a guy just today (early 40’s in age, I would say) who pointed as he walked by and mouthed, “I want that car!” then gave me the thumbs up, so it certainly appeals to a wide variety of people.
A few notes about the driving experience, as I did a bunch of highway driving this weekend. The overdrive does well, keeping the Soul just at 3,000 rpm at 120km/h, but pulling out to pass on a two lane highway between 90 and 100km/h must be planned well and executed perfectly as it takes forever for the Soul to provide any acceleration at those speeds.
Fuel consumption was great both on the highway and in the city. On the highway, I averaged 8.4L/100km, traveling mostly at 120km/h; the Soul isn’t the most aerodynamic vehicle on the road and because of this fuel consumption at higher speeds suffers, and road and wind noise were rather prominent. But in the city, I managed 8.7L/100km which was an excellent surprise!
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2010 Kia Soul 4u Burner
MSRP as tested (including destination): $23,845
For more information on Kia and the Soul visit Kia Canada
to our site.
August 02, 2009, 11:10:19 pm
Cheap, old platform (Rio), old engine, old 4AT...The standard BT, remote audi-controls, heated mirrors and seats, USB port and the glowing speakers cannot really compensate for all of that, at least as far as I'm concerned.
It has a heavily modified Rio platform. It's not "new", but like most manufacturer, KIA modified an existing chassis to keep the cost down. The engine is a bit dated and the AT could use a fifth gear (I would take the MT) but it's not bad hardware. We're talking about KIA here ... not a new BMW.
That's exactly my point: it's still a Kia. I would've expected them to move up on the ladder with every new car. I know they are not the only company still offering 4AT and iron block engines, but still... Toyota can afford for now to still offer 4AT in cars like Yaris, Corolla and RAV4, but Kia should try to better the competition at least on paper.
August 03, 2009, 10:51:35 am
The retro-tech 4-speed would be a deal-breaker for me, were I shopping for an automatic. Thankfully there's a manual, which is what I would opt for in any event.
Jaeger
August 03, 2009, 12:25:10 pm Our grand pubbah must be away and enjoying the Soul so much that he isn't posting any updates. Where is Day 4 and 5 reports and now we are into day 6 already.
August 03, 2009, 12:29:53 pm Think he is having problems with his Browser, keeps crashing.
August 03, 2009, 12:36:56 pm Today is a holiday we did not publish today.
August 03, 2009, 02:53:58 pm Happy BC Day.
August 03, 2009, 11:39:18 pm 8.4L/100 km on the highway is nothing to write about I believe. There are plenty of V6 SUVs, bigger and more powerfull that can do that or better.
August 04, 2009, 12:31:35 pm I figured highway mileage wouldn't be great as my brother-in-law had horrible mileage in his first year Element - he even traded it in citing highway fuel economy as the primary reason - don't recall what he was getting but nowhere near what the manufacturer claims were (surprise, surprise). At the time he was commuting quite a bit between Kingston and TO. It was so bad he started using his wife's RSX instead. (have to feel bad for her going from an RSX to an Element!) I suspect this will be a problem for all the boxy shapes as of late - The Bx, (those available in Canada yet? I heard Scion was coming here) Cube, Flex, etc.
Once again, the 5speed auto would help with that 90-120km/h backroad passing - not to mention highway fuel economy.
August 04, 2009, 06:38:42 pm Wow that's the most well thought out and constructive post I have ever read! Thanks for being a contributing member....
August 04, 2009, 06:43:48 pm
Ahh...I see you've met the newest troll....
August 04, 2009, 09:06:14 pm
But they do
August 04, 2009, 09:15:46 pm
Ahh...I see you've met the newest troll....
Not sure what he said - I've had that troll on ignore for a while now. Whenever he crawls out from under his bridge, the result is as predictable as it is odious.
Jaeger
August 05, 2009, 08:37:20 pm
Yeah unless it was a GM box.
August 05, 2009, 09:55:59 pm So the new Mazdaspeed3 coefficient of drag is 0.32.
I wonder what the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube coefficient of drag is...
August 05, 2009, 10:03:39 pm
I wonder what the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube coefficient of drag is...
I saw .37 for the Cube and .35 for the Soul...
August 05, 2009, 10:20:42 pm Saw on in the Crappy Tire parking lot yesterday, with the big wheels. The bigger wheels do stand out with more, dresses the body better, in the looks department. Will be costly come replacement time.
August 05, 2009, 10:26:25 pm
Really...not that costly at all. I just picked up the runner-up of a recent tire shootout..."affordable summer performance tires" test.....Hankook Ventus V12 EVO. 225/40/18 $114 USD each. These are going on some new wheels Import Queen bought for her IS300.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the_michelin_ps2-comparison_tests/hankook_ventus_v12_evo_page_10
August 08, 2009, 08:08:32 am I added your blog to bookmarks. And i'll read your articles more often!
August 09, 2009, 05:38:41 am Great info dude!!
August 09, 2009, 07:41:37 am SOUL BURNER......why U cute lil
August 17, 2009, 03:06:03 pm
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the_michelin_ps2-comparison_tests/hankook_ventus_v12_evo_page_10
August 18, 2009, 06:58:54 pm I like this car, it has a fresh look to it and seems to have plenty of space in it. Don't think that large wheels are called for...less rubber and clunkier ride...dont know why that spells higher cost. I would have thought that the seat would have folded to a flat and level position with the rear deck given the height of the vehicle. The inclined folding seat back is not a seller for me...I would have been happier with a step instead.
I don't mind the power or the engine size but highway noise if present is a bummer and coupled to a grumpy engine if that is the case would be problematical. I drove a 4 cyl Isuzu Trooper for a while...2.6 L. Only 130hp but a very sweet reviing willing engine. Smaller engines need this kind of feel to them for acceptability.
This model can do very well with 2WD and no raging engine option is needed. If you need that then go elsware.
The Accent that I drive has a very well matched engine...drive train and brakes and over 3 years has been very reliable. The Accent engine was said to have a nasty growl on acceleration but I find it to be OK...very acceptable and quiet on the highway for a vehicle this size but more could be done in this area. The engine is very willing too. I wonder if the same applies to this car. I hope so.
August 27, 2009, 12:35:08 pm Lemons, sugar, KIA and water. The most simple lemonade recipe, and yet so refreshing. Your drinks don't have to be complicated to be refreshing. Make up a jug today, and relax on the patio.
Ingredients:
6 lemons
6 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
1 KIA
August 27, 2009, 12:51:07 pm ..1 KIA = Kup Industrial Alcohol...................
October 07, 2009, 10:43:11 am I've driven a Soul 4u for the last 2 days while my Sportage is in the shop and came away impressed. Plenty of space all around, great standard features (heated seats, bluetooth, sat radio) and interior and powertrain did a reasonable job although it really could benefit from having a 5th gear... I really liked the higher seating position... about as high as a Rondo, between a regular car and a small SUV such as the Sportage.
A couple of things I didn't like: those rear pillars are absolutely huge and totally blocked my view when checking my blind spots for lane changes. This alone would probably stop me from buying this vehicle. Also, the car was just way too rough on bad roads. Either it's the suspension that was way too stiff, or it was because of the 19-20" tires. Another minor thing I didn't particularily like was the seat material... no where near the quality and durability of those in my Sportage. I felt as though my dog could claw her way through the cloth of the Soul in minutes while the seats in my Sportage look brand new after over 3 years of ownership...
Oh, and the LEDs in the speakers are just stupid and I turned it off after 5 minutes. Waste of money/effort IMO.
I'd be curious to try the 1.6L/manual and see how it fares... but as I said, those rear pillars would be dealbreakers to me. Hopefully Kia can bring over a Forte 5-door hatch with the 2.4L/6spd auto transmission... that would be a great vehicle!