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Johannesburg – Following its unveiling at the Paris Motors Show in September 2016, the enhanced Kia Soul this week makes its arrival on South African shores.
Featuring a number of design updates, Kia claims the Soul’s styling is complemented by the introduction of a new turbo diesel-powered entry-level model.
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Introduced locally in November 2014, the second-generation Kia Soul has firmly established itself as an anti-establishment crossover, offering the space and practicality of an mpv and the quality and features of an suv, says the automaker.
Kia says: “In a market of mundane crossovers and smaller suv’s, the Soul has always been able to provide something a little different and stand out.
“As an alternative, the Soul gives consumers a great way to express themselves in a practical and funky way, but with all the features and the quality people expect from Kia”.
Updated design
Kia is introducing a new turbocharged diesel derivative to the range. The Soul 1.6 CRDI start is powered by KIA’s ‘U2’ 1,6-litre turbodiesel engine that develops 94kW of power at 4000rpm and 260Nm between 1900 and 2750rpm. This engine mates to a six-speed manual transmission, with no automatic option available, says Kia.
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The Soul start features a comprehensive list of standard specification, including a radio with RDS, MP3/Aux/USB jacks, bluetooth connectivity and six speakers, central locking, an immobiliser, a rear-view camera, electrochromatic rearview mirror, electric windows front and rear, electric heated side mirrors with integrated indicators, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also features abs brakes, six airbags, active headrests, an impact-sensing door unlock function and Isofix child seat anchors.
Kia added: “The new turbodiesel Soul 1.6 start is probably the best-built, most spacious and well-specced diesel crossover below R400 000.
“At R329 995 it represents exceptional value, and a quick test drive will more than confirm its virtues.”
Exterior updates include remodelled front bumpers and metallic skid plates. Kia has also given the Soul’s grille and headlights a minor revision.
The Soul’s rear bumper has also been remodelled, as well as newly-designed fog lights and reflectors. Entry-level models feature alloy wheels, while the alloy wheel design on the Street and Smart models remain unchanged.
Revisions to the Soul’s cabin have been kept to the minimum. Entry-level models feature redesigned cloth upholstery, while street and smart models retain their black leather interior with contrasting stitching detail.
Range and Pricing
The enhanced Kia Soul range comprises six derivatives, covering the start, street and smart specification grades. Apart from the new turbocharged diesel option at the entry level, the Soul start is also available with a normally aspirated 1,6-litre petrol engine that develops 91kW of power at 6300 rpm, and 152Nm at 4850rpm, also mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on the petrol-powered derivative only (R13 000).
Mid-spec street models – all only available with six-speed manual transmissions –retain all of the specification available in the start models, but add further items such as glovebox cooling, electric folding side mirrors, a smart Key with push button start and leather upholstery, electronic stability control, brake assist, hill-start assist control and vehicle stability management, to name but a few.
Apart from the 94kW 1.6-litre CRDI engine, the Soul Street is also available with a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops 116kW at 6200rpm and 192Nm at 4000rpm.
At the top of the range are two Soul Smart derivatives, which add features such as front and rear park distance control, hid projection lamps with led daytime running lights, led rear combination lights, cruise control, electric seats and interior mood lights . The Soul 2.0 smart is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Soul 1.6 CRDI smart features Kia’s innovative 7-speed dct (Dual clutch transmission).
Because the DCT being capable of more efficient and continuous power delivery, the turbodiesel Soul Smart features an increased power output of 100kW at 4000rpm and 300Nm between 1900 and 2750rpm when compared to the manual derivatives.
Pricing for the enhanced Kia Soul range is as follows:
Soul 1.6 start manual - R309 995
Soul 1.6 CRDI Start manual - R329 995
Soul 2.0 street manual - R347 995
Soul 1.6 CRDI Street manual - R376 995
Soul 2.0 smart auto - R391 995
Soul 1.6 CRDI smart DCT - R431 995
