Kia Soul Sport ranked #1 in Time Magazine’s Ten Most Exciting Cars of 2010.
The Korean automaker is trying to change Kia’s boring image with this new Kia Soul Sport making it a direct competitor to the Scion line-up which appeals to young buyers because of its hip and cool image.
The 2010 Kia Soul is a practical new four-door hatchback with a very spacious and comfortable interior which provides a pleasant ride environment. The Soul models are powered by a 122-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 5-speed manual transmission. Standard on the other versions is a 142-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that pairs with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Soul features front-wheel drive, a high roofline and an unusually long wheelbase.
The Soul comes in four well-equipped trim levels — a base edition, the Soul Plus (+), Soul Exclaim (!), and Soul Sport each offering plenty of standard features. Soul includes black door handles and side mirrors, body-colored bumpers, rear wiper/washer and 15-inch steel wheels. Upgrading slightly to the Soul+ offers keyless remote entry, solar glass, privacy glass on the rear side and rear windows body-color handles and power side mirrors along with 16-inch alloy wheels. Enhancing to the Soul! adds power moon roof, fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels. The dynamic Soul sport features side sills, rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, unique front and rear fascias’, wholly personifying the sporty, urban look Soul embodies.
There are plenty of useful tech gadgets within, such as hands free Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary input jacks, Sirius Satellite Radio and a great 6-speaker stereo. Additional standard interior features include a tilt steering column, power door locks, power windows with driver’s side auto-down, map lamps and a rear wiper and washer. Stylishly appointed cloth seats provide comfortable seating while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat offers multiple seating and cargo arrangements depending on driver and passenger needs.
Safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. An antilock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), and rear disc brakes are standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models.
The Soul will definitely be attractive to first time buyers, with its low cost, curious design, vibrant interior and multitude of techie gadgets. But it’ll also be enjoyed by older family oriented consumers with its versatile drive, good fuel economy, and ample passenger space.
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