2011 Kia Soul Review

Kia Soul

Inside, the Kia Soul isn't nearly as groundbreaking. Most Kia Soul wagons will sport a four-cylinder engine with 2.0 liters of displacement, 142 horsepower, and 137 pound-feet of torque; but there's also a 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 122 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque. All Souls ride atop a conventional McPherson strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension, and they have four-wheel disc brakes. Base and mid-line Souls wear 15- and 16-inch wheels. The Kia Soul Sport leads the performance pack with 18-inch wheels and different suspension tuning. Dimensionally it checks in at 161.6 inches overall, 70.3 inches wide, 63.4 inches high, and it has a 100.4-inch wheelbase.

The front seats also have active head restraints, which help curb whiplash. Options on various Kia Soul models include a sunroof, that sound-system upgrade, and more than 60 accessories, from styling add-ons to interior trim. Two different Special Edition Soul models will be offered in the 2011 model year; both will be based on the Soul+ trim and include automatic climate control plus unique exterior styling and special accessories.

Debuting in 2010, the Kia Soul is a compact, 5-seat boxy hatchback designed for the young and young at heart. It is available in four trim levels: base, + (plus), (exclaim), and Sport.

The Soul’s spirit dwells somewhere between its snippy exterior and its comfortable cabin. Standard interior features include air conditioning, cruise control and a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary audio jack. Exterior features include wheels, headlamps, doors and doorknobs. The Soul!

Having debuted in 2010, the little has changed for the 2011 Kia Soul. Other than the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, there are few cars that share the 2011 Kia Soul’s funky shape. Kia uses this box car’s hip style, unique exterior colors and affordable price to target young buyers. The Soul’s pep-less performance hasn’t inhibited its success in the industry. The Kia Soul has received a slew of awards. AAA even named the Kia Soul a Top Pick for Dog Owners.

Before you buy a Kia Soul, you should know that KIA recalled about 24,000 Soul vehicles to fix interior lighting panels that can cause fires. Although it’s more expensive than the Kia Soul, the Scion xB has bold exterior styling that reviewers like. The Soul is a hatchback, but it doesn’t offer lots of storage space.

The Kia Soul comes in four well-equipped trim levels -- a base edition, the Soul Plus (+), Soul Exclaim (!), and Soul Sport. The Soul was new for 2010, and the 2011 Kia Soul is very similar to last year’s model.