CTC Review: 2010 Kia Soul 4u Burner

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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I'll tell you what is not my forte: fixing drum brakes is certainly not my forte.  Wait, that's the wrong new Kia model; I'm driving the Soul this week, not the Forte.  In case you haven't noticed, Kia is is trying to get your attention lately, with some new offerings and, of course, a five-year warranty and very attractive pricing.  This week, Kia is getting my attention with the Kai Soul 4u Burner edition -- a fully-loaded Soul 4 me.  More...

[Alex_S]

Interesting interior but that 2-tone red not my thing personally.. Still, what it lack in the cuteness factor that the Nissan Cube has, it makes up for in utilitily and practicality.  Really like the big tire/rim combo on the Kia - looks sharp..

[silverbullet3]

For 23k i rather go for the Mazda 3 Sport GT. Not paying 23k for a Korean car.

[conwelpic]

silverbullet3 - you won't get a Mazda 3 Sport GT for 23K, it will run you $26,500 to be comparable equipped.

[Shnak]

For 23k i rather go for the Mazda 3 Sport GT. Not paying 23k for a Korean car.

Are you being racist, or just stupid here? In case you haven't noticed, the Korean automakers make some of the best and most reliable vehicles now. It's time to wake up!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like colours in interiors, but found the red made the plastics look a grade cheaper than they do in dark grey/black, and it's also harder to colour match red trim pieces. The dash is a little too in your face all the time. But, it's only an option and for those who dig it, give props to Kia for at least offering it. I like the toned-down two-tone treatment of the Retro better.

[02MP5MT]

For 23k i rather go for the Mazda 3 Sport GT. Not paying 23k for a Korean car.

i would pay 23k for a genesis coupe

[Jaeger]

For 23k i rather go for the Mazda 3 Sport GT. Not paying 23k for a Korean car.

i would pay 23k for a genesis coupe

And I'd happily pay more for a Genesis sedan.  The level of ignorance evidenced by that comment is astonishing.

Jaeger

[Zombie]

I love this car. It looks good and has a hatch.
Kia should throw a turbo in it, I would be interested in a soul turbo if it ever existed.

[infinitime]

I would pay more for a Korean car, particularly if it is a Genesis or a Sonata, or even a Elantra wagon, if properly equipped, but I would certainly not pay $23K for a car based on the same platform as a Kia Rio...  Pricing for this car should be close to a Fit/Versa/Accent....

[Demosthenes X]

Kia is is trying to get your attention lately, with some new offerings

And I'd say it's working. I was chatting tonight with a guy who had spotted my Fit and he was asking some questions about it, and he brought up both the Kia Soul and the Nissan Cube. I think it's great - people don't normally take notice of Kia, but the Soul and Forte seem to be changing that.

Slightly off topic, but a friend of mine just got a brand new Forte (14km on the odometer!) as a rental, and she adores it. for Kia.

[Shnak]

I would pay more for a Korean car, particularly if it is a Genesis or a Sonata, or even a Elantra wagon, if properly equipped, but I would certainly not pay $23K for a car based on the same platform as a Kia Rio...  Pricing for this car should be close to a Fit/Versa/Accent....

As with pretty much every vehicle out there, the top-of-the-line offering of a vehicle is almost never good value... the value usually sits in the middle of the lineup, which is the 2u for the Soul.

I also think that the Soul is a much more substantial vehicle than those you listed IMO... It's bigger with more interior space and comes with many standard features that those you listed don't offer at similar price-point. With that said, I agree that $23k is getting expensive for a vehicle of this class...

[Heller]

I own a 2u (MSRP is 18k + freight) and I love it... I feel that the extras that the 4u gets are not necessary. All the important stuff is in the 2u, and the ride is not as harsh as with the sports suspension and 18 inch rubbers. The "base" audio system is excellent. I'm guessing that the extra center speaker, amplifier and sub woofer in the 4u improve the sound, but it is already excellent in 2u trim.

[Alex_S]

@ silverbullet3: That was a pretty ignorant comment about Korean cars you made..

[Mitlov]

I love this car. It looks good and has a hatch.
Kia should throw a turbo in it, I would be interested in a soul turbo if it ever existed.

A Soul Turbo would be a massive hit with the high school crowd.  And they've already got a 2.0L turbo four (base engine in the Genesis coupe) that would do nicely.

But the name of this car kills me.  Soul Burner?  Sounds like the sequel to Soul Calibur or something.

[Leviathan]

@ silverbullet3: That was a pretty ignorant comment about Korean cars you made..

..and yet the same thing said of a North American brand would slip by as de rigueur...

[Shnak]

From the article:
There is also enough grip to make the Soul entertaining around corners, although body roll is evident, so you may want to ensure everything is secured before going too crazy

Hey James, I'm no physics genius, but I'm pretty sure body roll has nothing to do with things moving around in the vehicle in corners... the inertia of the objects would be taking care of that.

Did you really think that a car with no body roll (say a F1) would help objects NOT move around?

I think someone skipped out a few too many physics classes! 

[wing]

Someone is being too literal here.... 

[Shnak]

Well then, you should add that paragraph in every article you do from now on I suppose...

Unfortunately, as all the other cars I've ever tested, this suspension setup isn't firm enough to prevent stuff from moving around when I accelerate, brake or turn too quickly. Those engineers really should work on that!

 

[inco]

James - curious as to what the engine is turning when on the highway at 100 kph?

I really like this little guy and only wish AWD was an option and then it would be perfect, okay almost, because a bigger engine never hurts.