Kia Soul
| Kia Soul | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Production | 2009–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class |
Compact crossover SUV (J) (2009–2014) Subcompact crossover SUV (J) (2014–present) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Joice |
| First generation (AM) | |
|---|---|
Pre-facelift Kia Soul (US)
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Production | 2009–2014 |
| Model years | 2009–2013 (Asia) 2010–2013 (other markets) |
| Assembly |
Gwangju Plant, Gwangju, South Korea Yangcheng Plant, Jiangsu, China Kaliningrad, Russia (Avtotor) Oskemen, Kazakhstan (Azia Avto) |
| Designer | Mike Torpey |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV (J) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related |
Hyundai i20 Kia Venga |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6L Gamma I4 122 hp (2009–2011) 2.0L Beta II I4 142 hp (2009–2011) 1.6L U I4 Diesel 126 hp 1.6L Gamma GDI I4 138 hp (2012-) 2.0L Nu I4 164 hp (2012-) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (2009–2011) 4-speed automatic (2009–2011) 6-speed manual (2012-) 6-speed automatic (2012-) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in (2,550 mm) |
| Length | 161.6 in (4,105 mm) (2009–2011) 162.2 in (4,120 mm) (2012-) |
| Width | 70.3 in (1,786 mm) |
| Height | 63.4 in (1,610 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,615–2,945 lb (1,186–1,336 kg) (2012-) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Joice |
| Kia Soul Concept | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV (J) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Kia Mesa |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 L I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Second generation (PS) | |
|---|---|
2014 Kia Soul Plus (US)
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Production | 2014–present |
| Assembly | Gwangju Plant, Gwangju, South Korea |
| Designer | Peter Schreyer |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact crossover SUV (J) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm (101 in) |
| Length | 4,140 mm (163 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (71 in) |
| Height | 1,600 mm (63 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,264–1,426 kg (2,787–3,144 lb) |
The Kia Soul is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-door subcompact crossover manufactured and marketed worldwide by Kia and now in its second generation.
Designed at Kia's design center in California, the Soul debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and is manufactured in South Korea. Since 2014, Kia has marketed an electric variant as the Soul EV in North and Central America as well as Europe.
The Soul concept was styled by Mike Torpey in early 2005. As a new member of Kia's Design Team in Irvine, California, Torpey was sent to KIA Korea to brainstorm a new vehicle.
After seeing a television documentary on wild boars and learning of their importance in Korean culture, Torpey sketched a caricature of a boar wearing a backpack. The New York Times reported "the boar’s attitude of strength and capability was the image [Torpey] wanted for a new model aimed at hip urban youths."
According to the Automotive news, the Soul had been criticized for a "plasticky" interior and a harsh ride. Both the ride quality and interior were upgraded during the first year of production.
The interior features two front bucket seats and a rear flat-folding bench seat that can adjust to prioritize passenger or cargo volume.
The first generation was marketed with a six-speaker stereo system that includes a CD player, a USB port for iPod connection, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Additional features available for upgrade included additional speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth for hands-free connectivity.
Options included themed special editions as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, racing stripes, "dragon" and "houndstooth" graphics, and LED turn indicators.
For 2011, the Kia Soul was updated with more conventional pull-out door handles, standard metallic interior trim, redesigned instrument cluster, leather shift boot, and switchblade style fold-in integrated key and remote, with an optional Smart Key available in the Exclaim ("!") trim.
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Wikipedia