When the Kia Soul first came out in the spring of 2009, it didn’t really get my attention. It looked kind of funny and I honestly didn’t think that it would be very popular. But once I spent time behind the wheel, I realized that its funkiness was unique and it indeed had some desirable features.
I am not sure if the dancing hamster ads helped sales of this unique vehicle, but fast forward only two years later and Kia has already decided to release an enhanced 2012 KIA Soul.
The basic styling for this model stays the same, with a few minor tweaks to some of the proportions, giving it a wider-looking stance. The front fascia has also been widened, with enlarged fog lights as well as LED daytime running lights and signal lights. Projection headlights are now available.
The back end has also received a width increase and LED illumination as well. The side profile shows off new 18-inch wheel designs with wider tires and new side-view mirrors. I am not a fan of the boxy look of the Soul, but I admit the extra width has made it meatier and more aggressive. The difference is a slight one, but I like it.
The Soul’s interior features new patterns and colours as well as a new instrument cluster and shifter console. Kia has added a lamp to the glove box, dual-stage front-seat heaters and circular automatic climate controls. New technology includes a 7-inch navigation system, a premium Infinity audio system with subwoofer and the UVO Audio Infotainment system.
which adds gasoline direct injection this year.
UVO is a voice-activated radio, media and phone control system. It has a full colour 4.3” LCD touch-screen and recognizes 150 voice commands in English, French and Spanish. It copies music files to an onboard hard drive, interprets and reads text messages and also serves as the rear view camera.
For 2012, the Soul gets two all-new engines. Don’t be confused; they are both brand-new, and the only thing that stays the same from the previous engines is the displacement.
The first is the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, which adds gasoline direct injection this year. Horsepower is up 16 from last year’s model for a total of 138, while torque increases slightly to 123 lb.-ft @ 4,850 rpm.
The second 4-cylinder engine option is the 2.0-litre unit that now puts out 164 hp and 148 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm. Both of these engines can be matched to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
I found that the last generation was surprisingly adequate for power, and these two new engine options with the slight increase in power are more than enough. These new powertrains give the Soul an injection of sportiness as well as improved fuel economy.
The posted numbers for fuel consumption with the 1.6L engine, city and highway, have improved over last year. Combined with the 6-speed manual, the Soul is rated at 7.4 L/100km in the city and 5.6 on the highway. The Soul ECO, available later on, will boast ratings of 7.0/5.4 L/100km.
Still in trim names of 2u and 4u, consumers can choose from eleven exterior colours. If you were a fan of the Mint Green, Kia now has Olive and Misty Green to choose from. I would have said that I would never like the look of a green car, but the funky Soul seems to suit it. Truth be told, if you are going to get a vehicle as unique as this, you might as well get it in a colour that stands out, too!
The interior has a few choices as well. Very attractive-looking black with grey cloth is available on the 2u or 4u. The 4u Retro comes with a beige tartan cloth and matching beige dash. My favourite is the 4u Burner that comes with a sexy red and black interior. The luxury trim comes with tasty black on black leather.
Not only does the Soul look good and drive well, it comes with a long list of standard safety equipment; front-seat active headrests, six airbags, ABS, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), TCS (traction Control System) and HAC (Hill-stat Assist Control).
The 2012 KIA Soul is happy zipping around corners or cruising on the highway. With its high roofline, the interior has a very roomy feel to it. The seating position is wonderful with a great outward view. Steering is light and the wider track helps it to feel planted when taking a corner. The ride feels a more refined than the outgoing model and the interior is quieter. I would have no problems spending several hours behind the wheel of this Soul.
Starting at $16,595 for the base 1.6 and just over $25,000 for the loaded 2.0L model, the Soul has a lot to offer for a good price. Still one of the most unique-looking vehicles on the road, this funky little urban crossover has a lot to offer a for a lot of different people.
