Kia hits the mark with 2011 Soul

BY IRA SIEGEL For Sun-Times Media October 13, 2011 10:09AM

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2011 KIA SOUL+

ENGINE: 142-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: four-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 24 city/30 highway

BASE PRICE: $16,495

AS TESTED: $21,390 (includes $695 for destination)

WEBSITE: kia.com

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The Kia Soul delivers a pleasing combination of style, value and versatility, making it a popular choice in the entry-level crossover utility vehicle segment.

Soul’s exterior styling oozes personality. Soul’s playful and youthful appearance embodies the mantra “a new way to roll.”

While the Soul is somewhat boxy, the designers nicely infused a rounded nose, an angled beltline and pronounced wheel opening arches.

The designers didn’t stop there, either. Slip inside and you’ll be greeted by a nicely styled cabin that’s surprisingly spacious for four large adults or a family of five.

Fold the rear seatbacks down and Soul’s versatility will likely surprise you, too. I won’t forget taking a 2010 Kia Soul to help my oldest son haul a midsized refrigerator.

He had asked me to bring my van. Instead, I showed up with the Soul. He had tried to fit the fridge in his 1997 Nissan Maxima. He didn’t think the Soul would be big enough, but it easily accommodated the fridge.

When we got back home, he asked if I could take him for a ride. That usually only happens when I’m testing something ultra-luxurious or sporty. His interest proves that Kia succeeded in hitting its mark with the Soul.

Soul’s roomy interior is nicely styled. I like Soul’s nifty floating center stack and metal finish accents that are nicely placed around the shift lever, air vents and audio speakers.

And in regard to the speakers, as you may have seen in advertising, you can get speaker lights (red, green, blue) that pulse to the beat of the music or simply add mood lighting.

They’re part of the audio upgrade package that includes a 315-watt external amplifier, center speaker and subwoofer. Or, if you choose, you can simply turn the speaker lights off.

The 2011 Kia Soul comes in four trim levels: base, +, ! and Sport. With an entry price of $13,300, the base model features an economical 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (making 122 horsepower) mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

All other trim levels feature a peppier 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 142 horsepower. The 2.0 can be teamed to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Power goes to the front wheels and Soul is fairly fuel efficient. The base model is rated at 26/31 mpg while those powered by the 2.0-liter engine are rated at 24/30 mpg.

Those who want an automatic will need to step up to the Soul +, Soul ! or Soul Sport. Those trim levels also feature the larger four-cylinder engine.

I recently tested a 2011 Kia Soul + with the four-speed automatic transmission. It’s a pleasant combination and the Soul is fun to drive. Its size makes it great for getting around the city, yet it feels confident when cruising on the highway.

The Kia Soul offers a long list of features and customizable options. My tester included the special edition 1 package ($3,000) with Tiger exterior appliques, rear spoiler, alloy fuel door, black 18-inch alloy wheels, black leather seats, black fender vents, illuminated sill plates, sport floor mats and more.

All 2011 Kia Soul models are well equipped with safety features including four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

Soul’s warranty is good, too. Coverage includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty with roadside assistance. Take a Soul for a spin and you’ll see why this cute car has become so popular.

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