KIA SOUL HATCHBACK REVIEW

My car

Having just swapped my 2011 Honda Civic 1.4 auto for a new Soul 2 1.6CDRI auto i can't express enough how impressed i am!

I had to swap because i have a diseased back and it killed me getting in and out of the Civic and i couldn't even get in the passenger seat when i was in too much pain to drive, forcing me to drive whenever my partner and i went out. Additionally going over the very smallest of bumps resulted in me crying in pain.

The Soul however couldn't be more different! Its so easy to get in and out of, including the passenger side and i hardly notice any but the highest of bumps so i can certainly recommend the suspension! My model is the desiel auto version which goes like s@#t of a shovel too lol! Unlike the Civic you never feel any gear changes which feels very strange at the moment. Whatcar complain about the stereo system in their review which i find very strange because i think the stereo sounds fantastic, and i play cd's whenever im driving! The stereo system also comes with a USB port for your MP3 player and also includes a port for your Ipod or Iphone and even comes with a dedicated lead for them too!

My only complaints are very small: There is very little storage inside with only a small compartment big enough to hold your SatNav on the dash along with drink holders in the centre console. It could also do with cruise control and reverse sensors although there is another version which comes with a very cool reversing camera! Only getting 40mpg, hope

My car

This automatic is my wife's Motability car, which I drive. She finds it easily accessable, whilst I like the driving position. Whether in town, on the open road or the motorway I find it a great car to drive. The stereo system, trip computer and boot are all adequate for our needs, the seats we find very comfortable. The engine is smooth and powerful, in-gear acceleration is great, as is the car's hill climbing ability. I enjoy driving it, and fuel consumption is much much better than our previous Ford Focus 1.6 petrol automatic. We thought very carefully about this car, considering also the Yeti, Roomster, Meriva, 3008, Bipper and Qashqai. Objectively, is the Soul the best of these cars? Who can say? But it seems to fit our needs and purposes, so I reccomend it as well worth considering.

My car

I was supplied with this model as a courtesy car whilst my ceed was repaired.

I agree with the Whatcar? verdict. This car is a good drive, except for two failings; first, the suspension thumps over minor road imperfections, second, road noise is excessive. I think a long motorway journey would be very tiring. If Kia can overcome these failings, I think they will have a winner.

My car

I purchased this car in June 2010, I traded in my Mini One Auto for the Soul 2 1.6 diesel auto, as the mini was no longer practical seeing as I have 2 dogs. I scoured the internet for a larger 4/5 door vehicle and stumbled across a good offer at my local Kia dealer - Premier Motors, Rochdale, the offered a good discount on the Soul, and also gave me a great trade in for my mini. At first the driving position took a bit of getting used to, the high driving position is similar to that of a 4x4, which is useful for being able to see beyond the car in front, unfortunately the steering wheel is only adjustable for rake, not reach, but after a few tweaks and adjusting the seat and steering wheel I found the perfect position for me. The car has acres of room for both front passenger and rear passengers, and the boot offers plenty of luggage space. The diesel engine is quiet and very responsive and the auto gearbox is nice and smooth, fuel economy is pretty good too, after just conmpleting a holiday down to Bournemouth with a full boot and a roof box, the average fuel consumption was around 42mpg, not bad in my view.