The Top Gear car review:Kia Soul

Name: Kia Soul
Item: Soul Diesel Hatchback (2014)
Rating: 6
Author: Top Gear

£12,565 – £30,440

Full screen

1/5

6/10

Overall verdict

New Soul puts practicality to the fore, but in other areas less progress has been made.

For:

Better than the original yet just as standout

Against:

...But is it standout in a good way? Not quite a bargain either

Overview

What is it?

Funny looking thing, the original Kia Soul. Like a Land Rover Defender crossed with a mini people carrier. It never really caught on over here, but Americans loved it and bought loads of them. An all-new one was launched in 2014. And it looks… um, rather like the old one. Moving on….?

Well, hold on. It does at least look sleeker than the old one. Body detailing is neater and the lower roofline takes away the old tip-over top-heavy look. That’s all relative, of course. Really, the child who’s drawn it has simply got handier with the felt tips (and found some vivid new colours).

Title	0–62	CO2	MPG	BHP	Price
The fastest 1.6T GDi Sport 5dr DCT	7.5s	156g/km	40.9	201	£23,410
The cheapest 1.6 GDi Start 5dr	10.6s	153g/km	41.5	130	£12,565
The greenest EV 5dr Auto	11.0s	0g/km		109	£30,440