MOTORING NEWS - Kia has enhanced its funky cross-over status by arming its flagship Soul 1.6 CRDI SMART with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and more powerful turbodiesel engine to make it one of the most appealing oil-burners in this segment.
With power up from 94kW to 100kW and torque increased from 260Nm to 300Nm both sprint times and top speed have improved and the diesel feels considerably more spirited than its sleepier petrol siblings.
The new transmission is smooth and pleasantly responsive, particularly in manual mode, and a marked improvement over the auto shift of the two other six-speed automatics in the range. The new transmission even adjusts to the driver’s style by changing down under braking or up during spirited acceleration.
Quirky aesthetic
Over and above the transmission and engine improvements, the Soul’s quirky looks such as its stubby bonnet, large alloy wheels and moulded body lines (particularly in the bright two-tone colours of our test car) have strong pulling power, even in a crowded parking lot with a scattering of competitors such as Citroen C Cactus, Renault Captur and Nissan Juke.
Launched in 2014, the second-generation Soul matches anything its its class when it comes to living quarters design and features such as leather seats (powered for the driver), cruise control, park distance sensors with rear view and infotainment system.
