2010 Kia Soul Miami FL

December 8, 2009   By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor 



2010 Kia Soul
DriverSide Overview
In a segment where fashion has arguably become as important as value, without style, you don’t have much to lean on. Scion defined this new segment, delivering a stylistic take on economical motoring with an emphasis on personal expression and factory-backed customization. But as it often happens in the autoscape, when a niche segment has been carved out, others always try to edge in on it. Kia is looking to get their slice of the pie with the 2010 Soul , an econobox with an oh-so-important low base price that comes reinforced with a slew of youthful upgrades. The Soul has the kind of flair both outside and in that is needed to take on the aging xB, but soon the competition will turn ruthless in light of Nissan’s nearly simultaneous decision to bring its unapologetically eccentric Cube stateside. This will put a major emphasis on the Soul’s drivability and usability – a good thing for Kia, considering these are two areas where the quirky wagon shines. On the road, the Soul feels much more robust than its size and curb weight (under 3,000 lbs) suggest, thanks to a wide track and optional chunky 18-inch (!) wheels. Inside, Kia appears to have struck a good middle ground without taking things too far, throwing in catchy Gen-Y-themed items like light-ringed speakers that pulsate to the beat of the music. If your idea of the Kia brand elicits images of the Sportage and Rondo, prepare to have your expectations changed.








What's to Like
Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is a premium selling point if we’ve ever seen one. Including tech items like Sirius satellite radio standard and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity on most trim lines gives the Soul a decidedly 21st century demeanor. You’re free to personalize, and add to your car loan, with over 50 accessories straight from the factory.

What's Not to Like
Use of a four-speed automatic transmission for a 2010 model seems downright backwards thinking, especially when the competition boasts more gears and also, CVTs. We would also have liked to see the 1.6-liter engine put to use in more than just the base trim, as those who decide to opt for more robustly powered models would sacrifice potential fuel savings by doing so.

The Drive: 
DriverSide Driving Impressions
For a small economy car, the Soul is surprisingly capable on road. You won’t confuse it as being anywhere near fast, but power is more than ample to motivate it up to freeway speeds. The only real slack in the drivetrain, where the four-speed auto can be slightly schizophrenic in its shifts and the five-speed manual’s clutch has all the character of a stack of wet bricks. It counters this with steering that’s hot hatch heavy and a wide track that leads to improved cornering – important in a top-heavy car with an inherently h...

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