New Kia Soul revealed in New York
* Prices from around 14,000(est)
* On sale beginning of 2014
This is the new Kia Soul, which has made its public debut at the New York motor show. It will go on sale in Britain at the start of 2014.
It now uses the same underpinnings as the Ceed hatchback, which means the new Kia Soul is longer and more spacious than the car it replaces. Kia is also promising significant improvements to the Soul's refinement and driving dynamics.
The exterior of the new small SUV is heavily based on the 2012 Track'ster concept car. However, alongside the striking new bodystyling, plenty of attention has also been given to the quality of cabin materials and fit and finish. There's more head-, shoulder- and legroom for passengers, plus increased luggage capacity.
UK cars are likely to share engines with the Ceed range: a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel. Both engines have stop-start systems and offer improved performance and economy over existing models. Equipment levels will also be boosted, including the option of a newly designed infotainment system with smartphone connectivity.
Kia is promising that 'significant' improvements have been made to the ride and handling of the new Soul. Also, like the Ceed, it comes with the company's Flex Steer system, which allows you to choose from three steering settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport.
There's no word yet on how much the all-new Kia Soul will cost in the UK, but the company estimates that it will be at least 1000 more than the current model, so prices should start at around 14,000.
