Test Drive: 2010 Kia Soul 4u

July 27, 2009

The Soul’s performance at the pumps suggests it might benefit from the newer, more efficient 2.0-litre engine used in the Forte. While my 2.0-litre, automatic Soul’s official fuel consumption ratings are 8.5/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway), I averaged 9.5 L/100 km in town and 7.9 on the highway, though it must be said that I made little effort to conserve in either venue.

2010 Kia Soul 4u. Click image to enlarge

Soul pricing starts at $15,495 for the basic 2u model, with its 1.6-litre engine. Given that the smaller motor isn’t available with an automatic transmission, you can bet that Kia offers the smaller engine as a loss-leader and that not many buyers will go for it. That said, even that base model gets niceties like heated front seats, power windows, keyless entry and Bluetooth connectivity.

A 2.0-litre 2u starts at just under $18,000, which includes air conditioning, anti-lock brakes and stability control; my tester, in 4u trim with automatic transmission, comes in at $21,195, not including freight. My tester’s orange paint (Kia calls it “Lava”) is well-suited to the car; I’m also fond of the off-white “Vanilla Shake” colour that a neighbour chose for a Soul she bought just before I tested this one.

Kia’s counting on buyers to be willing to pay a premium for the Soul’s looks and interior space despite its economy car underpinnings. The extra cost compared to, say, Kia’s own Rio subcompact is worth it, though, because whatever the Soul lacks in mechanical refinement it makes up for in its smart dimensions and interior packaging.

Pricing: 2010 Kia Soul 4u

Base price: $19,995

Options: $1,200 (automatic transmission)

A/C tax: $100

Freight: $1,650

Price as tested: $22,945
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives

Specifications

Specifications: 2010 Kia Soul

Competitors

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Chevrolet HHR

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Nissan Cube

Crash test results