The Kia Soul crossover has received a facelift with updated styling and a new entry-level turbodiesel derivative joins the local range.

Shown at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the facelifted Kia Soul has now arrived on local soil with updated styling. Kia has also bolstered the local lineup with the addition of a new entry-level 1.6-litre turbodiesel Start derivative that offers 94 kW and 260 Nm of torque and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

“In a market of mundane crossovers and smaller SUV’s, the Soul has always been able to provide something a little different and stand out. As an alternative, the Soul gives consumers a great way to express themselves in a practical and funky way, but with all the features and the quality people expect from KIA” says David Sieff, Marketing Director, Kia Motors South Africa.

What’s changed?

Exterior revisions have enhanced the Soul's stylistic appeal and its boxy 'bread loaf' shape makes it somewhat unique.

For this facelift, Kia has redesigned the Soul’s front bumper that now features a metallic skid plate, with the same treatment applied to the rear bumper. The rear fog lamps and reflectors also feature a new design. The familiar ‘tiger-nose’ grille has also been slightly reworked and the headlight composition and layout have also been revised. On the high-spec Smart derivative, the LED daytime running lights have moved to the bottom of the headlights.

The entry-level Start derivatives come equipped with newly designed alloy wheels, while the wheel designs for the Street and Smart derivatives remain unchanged.

The interior remains much the same with the Soul Start derivatives benefitting from new cloth upholstery.

As for the interior, changes are minimal, but entry-level Start derivatives now have redesigned cloth upholstery while the leather upholstery with contrasting stitching remains unchanged for Street and Smart derivatives. The Soul’s cabin does, however, feature new gloss black and metallic highlights and switchgear.

Engines and specification

A total of 6 Soul derivatives are available to buyers with 3 trim grades on offer (Start, Street and Smart). In addition to the new 1.6-litre turbodiesel Soul Start mentioned above, buyers can also opt for a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre Soul Start petrol derivative with 91 kW and 152 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard and a 6-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option for this derivative.

Standard features on the Start derivatives include radio with RDS, MP3/Aux/USB jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and six speakers, central locking, an immobiliser, a rear-view camera, electrochromatic rearview mirror, electric windows front and rear, electric heated side mirrors with integrated indicators, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. ABS, 6 airbags, active headrests, ISOFIX anchors and impacting-sensing door unlock function are also standard on Start derivatives.

The Soul 1.6 CRDi Smart DCT tops the range with 100 kW and 300 Nm of torque.

For added specification, you can consider the Soul in Street trim. The Soul Street is powered by either the 94 kW/260 Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine or a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine with 116 kW and 192 Nm of torque. Only a 6-speed manual transmission is offered on Street derivatives.

In terms of features, Street trim adds additional niceties such as glovebox cooling, electric folding side mirrors, a Smart Key with push button start and leather upholstery, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Management.

The top-of the-range South Smart is offered with 2 engine choices, the 1.6-litre diesel and the 2.0-litre petrol. The former is standard with a 6-speed ‘box and the latter mated to a dual clutch transmission with outputs bumped up to 100 kW and 300 Nm of torque.

Smart trim extends its feature offering with front and rear park distance control, HID projection lamps with LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lamps, cruise control and electric seats. Both the Soul 2.0 Smart and 1.6 CRDi Smart can be fitted with an optional sunroof for an additional R12500.

Take a look at what you can expect to pay for the Kia Soul below…

Kia Soul – Price in South Africa (May 2017)

Soul 1.6 Start Manual – R309 995

Soul 1.6 CRDI Start Manual – R329 995

Soul 2.0 Street Manual – R347 995

Soul 1.6 CRDI Street Manual – R376 995

Soul 2.0 Smart Auto – R391 995

Soul 1.6 CRDI Smart DCT – R431995

The Kia Soul is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty, 4-year/90 000 km service plan and 5-year/unlimited km Roadside assistance.

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