Kia Soul - Yes/No?

[kfarmbry]

Kia's is launching a new car called the Soul (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/la-2008-kias-soul-ful-debut/) in Spring. Some of its features include Bluetooth and iPod, so it's nice to see technology like this available on more affordable cars. But what do you think, could you see yourself driving one?

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/kia_soul_la_live_21.jpg

[Fred_G]

Ahh, well no. If you like it, go for it, not for me. :-D

[thesmokingun]

im more of a midsized sedan person, im 6'2" and have 2 kids, they need some legroom in the back

[Lev]

Owned a Kia SUV before - wouldn't have another.

Anyway, this is priced where a new Honda Civic falls right in the middle of the range. They are even more economical than the Soul, getting 40mph on the freeway. Easier to maintain - even doing a plug change on a Kia is a 2 hour job that involves removal of the rocker cover!!

The styling is confusing. Did they want it to be curvey and spacey, or angular and contemporary. It looks like 2 different designers had at it. Not aesthetically pleasing. They couldn't make their minds up whether to black trim or body color mouldings. Some are one; some are the other. The automatic would be a POS only 4 gears on a heavier SUV - no power, especially the 1.6 engine.

If the geeky add-ons are what make it for you, I would buy a civic and just upgrade the geeky buttons that miht not come as standard.

[KingSteve]

My mom has a Kia sorento or whatever. Theyre not that bad if its what youre in to. id personally never buy a kia though.

[N5638J]

I hate Kia one of the worst things out of Korea.

[Stubby]

It's not a bad looking vehicle and it looks like a Toyota Scion, just a little more rounded. However, I prefer something with more 'guts' and interior room than what the Soul has to offer. As far as safety is concerned, the Soul just looks 'flimsy' and I doubt it would fair very well in a 10 mph side impact test, or a front impact test, or even a rear impact test without considerable damage. So I'm going to have to say 'no' to the Soul, and just stick to the 'Tank' that I'm driving now. At least in the 'Tank', I have some measure of security and safety, which means more than 'flashy' looks when I carry my 8 year old around!

[kfarmbry]

I've owned some compact cars before...they're actually pretty solid in crashes. They're built like acorns, if that makes sense lol. Small, but with a hard structure so they don't get crumpled up in an accident. I don't know how the Soul was engineered, it looks like a great city car. The new Smart cars also look like they wouldn't stand up in an accident, but they've been proven to be structurally solid.

[Stubby]

No doubt, the Smart Car has been proven to be built really well. My problem with it is its size and how the driver would fair in a high speed crash. Did you ever wonder what a Smart Car would look like after a 70 MPH crash test? Check out this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

[kfarmbry]

Here's a spy video of the Soul..although I don't know if it's really a spy video or not. The dark color is pretty cool IMO.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dNv-kOhvGBM

[Dalma]

I think the Kia Soul looks great but I think the largest obstacle for them to overcome is the name Kia, however.

[abz1nthe]

Id rather walk than drive that pos

[gloozit]

Not in this recession!
I have made my mind up to buy as many American made products as I possibly can.


Yes, I know more than half of my PC is not American.