CD Article: 2010 Kia Soul

[Schmengie]

^^The Cube too.  It's on the Versa platform.  Though I don't think it's a cool as the Soul.

 I think I probably would've bought a Cube instead of the Versa if they were available. To me, it's a toss-up as to which has the highest cool-factor, but AFAIK the Cube isn't sold here yet, so it's not really in the equation. If the Soul is as successful as I think it's going to be, hopefully other manufacturers will jump into the fray.

[carcrazy]

Every time I see these new cars, mind you entry-level, coming with 4-speed A/T I keep asking how much more expensive would be to put a 5-speed in? Honda does it and Ford will even have a dual-clutch in the new Fiesta. Don't they read the news? It’s not like they have to design a new transmission from scratch because they already have it in other vehicles.

How much more expensive would be to put a telescopic steering wheel in? I don’t understand the manufacturers that go cheap where they shouldn’t (Kia is not the only one though).

Does anyone know if the rear suspension is independent or torsion beam?
I noticed that Kia went out of their way and use 4-disc brakes on higher trims versus the rear drums usual for this class.

It's an interesting vehicle and with an optional AWD it would be even better. It’s nicer than the Cube, Scion and Element IMO.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.   

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

[Rupert]

I don't know about telescopic stearing...I have never had a car with that feature and never felt the need for it...whatever. All singing and dancing drive though is exactly what this segment does not need. People buy A/4 WD that have no need whatever for such a feature just because it is there. It's a reasonably low cost (not very low) small neat vehicle and in a time when ones house is being forcibly checked for draughts by the government, what we need is to add 10/15% to the gas consumption of what might be a high volume sales vehicle...I don't think so. Keep it simple Kia/Hyundai, your doing alright.

[carcrazy]

"People buy A/4 WD that have no need whatever for such a feature just because it is there."

... And some people buy the 4WD because they know they will benefit from the system when needed. Being OPTIONAL it should make both type of buyers happy.

[Rupert]

They should concentrate on developing the base product...sound damping if it is needed...everyone can benefit from that all of the time. There are lots of specialty vehicles that have 4/all. Making it a feature of every sector is silly IMO. Keep it on message.

[carcrazy]

I agree that AWD should not be offered on every car, but to me, the Soul looks like it could be a very sensible urban utility vehicle. It's boxy which gives it a very decent cargo and relatively high off the ground, etc. An AWD option (on higher trims eventually) would round up the package for those living in urban areas (e.g. Toronto) where the side streets get plowed days after the snow storms. I do not associate the 4WD with off-roading.

I'm not saying that the 4WD should be a must on the Soul, but a nice to have option. The telescopic steering wheel and 5AT should be a must in my opinion on any newly designed car, regardless of class.

[DockMan]

 

[Schmengie]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.   

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

I think the differences are too significant to put the Soul into the same category as the PT/HHR, which are basically retro-styled vehicles intended to recall the cars and trucks of a long time ago . Both of them are based on existing platforms and drivetrains.

The Soul on the other hand at least looks like a clean-sheet design, thoroughly modern in design. It's a lot closer to my Versa size-wise than the Element which is really a CUV.

[Winklovic]

For some strange reason I thought I would keep my Sebring until I retired (14 years to go).  There's no way that'll happen since there's so many interesting vehicles becoming available, the Soul included.

[airbalancer]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.  

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

Honda element Production 2003–present
 
PT Production 2001-2009

[Wolverine]

This is one fine looking small runner, Kia has done some great cars lately, the Cerato for instance, is a great looking car with a ton of standard equipments for a right price.

[Scaerio]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves.

Isn't the Jeep Patriot pretty much a "car like this," and one that offers an AWD option to boot?

[random006]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.   

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

I think the differences are too significant to put the Soul into the same category as the PT/HHR, which are basically retro-styled vehicles intended to recall the cars and trucks of a long time ago . Both of them are based on existing platforms and drivetrains.

The Soul on the other hand at least looks like a clean-sheet design, thoroughly modern in design. It's a lot closer to my Versa size-wise than the Element which is really a CUV.

According to the article, it is based on the Kia Rio.  I will admit that it's hard to tell, though.

[Schmengie]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.   

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

I think the differences are too significant to put the Soul into the same category as the PT/HHR, which are basically retro-styled vehicles intended to recall the cars and trucks of a long time ago . Both of them are based on existing platforms and drivetrains.

The Soul on the other hand at least looks like a clean-sheet design, thoroughly modern in design. It's a lot closer to my Versa size-wise than the Element which is really a CUV.

According to the article, it is based on the Kia Rio.  I will admit that it's hard to tell, though.

Well, I saw my first Soul today. It's in a totally different size category than the tiny Rio and a lot bigger than I expected, that's for sure. The hood and rooflines are so much higher than the Rio's that it's hard to believe they have anything in common at all. It's a really great looking car, even more so in the metal. Kia's gonna sell a ton of these.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Wow, talk about the right car at the right time. I hope the bozos at GM and Chrysler are simmering in a stew of jealousy and angst that they couldn't come up with a car like the Soul themselves. The styling, the size, the price, the practicality, I could go on and on - without actually seeing one, everything about this car seems as close to perfect as a small car can get. I think the Soul is going to be a huge hit for Kia.    Can't wait to see one in the metal.

Actually, Chrysler thinks they started the funky-car craze with the PTCrus-eon and GM got all-original with the HHRbalt.  

Hats off to the Element for kicking this segment off....

Honda element Production 2003–present
 
PT Production 2001-2009

Sorry - I meant the unusual cube/box on wheels design in N/A...

[Rupert]

If it's that high then making the seat backs flat when folded should not be too difficult. It's not a deal breaker but flat hard seat backs is a nice feature and looks more finished.