The first generation Kia Soul will soon step aside for the newer model released next spring, but we don’t like to get ahead of ourselves here at The Car Loan Warehouse so we think it’s worth having a look at this year’s Kia Soul!
Price and Engine Models
The Kia Soul has an astonishing eleven different models available to buyers, ranging from £12,010 for the Soul ‘1’ 1.6 GDI to £18,045 for the Soul ‘Inferno’ 1.6 CRDi. We would recommend the Plus model with the 6-speed automatic – this is simply down to the improved performance of the 2.0 litre engine.
Interior
Although classified as a small car, the Soul is actually a higher-riding car allowing entry for people who struggle to bend down to get into smaller cars. This immediately puts the car in a somewhat niche audience. The Soul does have impressive interior space with plenty of headroom for any passengers, along with generous leg room when sat in the backseats. The boot, however, is a little small. It is deceptively small for such a car – the spec of the boot is 222 litres but the seats can be folded down flat to increase the boot size to a maximum of 818 litres.
The dashboard and the doors are made mostly of interior plastics and are not pleasing to touch. It gives the impression of a somewhat cheap feel and some of the panels are rather flimsy. But on the plus side, the Soul includes a dedicated iPod/USB port which allows full control of any connected device via the steering-wheel audio controls.
Exclusive to the Soul Exclaim is the Premium Package, including navigation, heated front seats, leather seat trim, automatic climate control and a push-button start with Smart Key Keyless entry. All yours for a premium fee.
Driving
Behind the wheel of the 1.6 litre, turbo diesel delivers 94kW of power and with 260Nm of torque, the Soul accelerates with ease so power is definitely not an issue. When driving, you do tend to feel the bumps and road noise can be heard, especially at motorway speed. However, the Soul’s steering response and handling is quick with no noticeable play or over assist with the brakes, giving you extra confidence throughout your ride.
The Kia Soul is not particularly cheap to run, either, with both the petrol and diesel models having higher than average fuel consumption CO2 emission for the class.
Summary
Overall, the Kia Soul is a good little-big car if you’re after a vehicle with a higher ride height and unique look with plenty of passenger space. The price is reasonable, but only when you factor in the 7 year/100,000 mile warranty that is standard with every model.
If you do have your heart set on a Kia Soul, contact the Car Loan Warehouse for a quick and straightforward application process and a high speed decision. We have a range of Kia finance options available, and financing for all other major automakers, available to suit any budget.
We make finance simple at The Car Loan Warehouse, just try our calculator and find out if our car finance options can help you get your dream car.
