Yes, You Can Still Have a Small Car With a Family

By Scott Huntington

Can you name the truck with four-wheel drive, smells like a steak and seats thirty-five? If you’re not a “Simpsons” fan or you somehow missed this episode, check this out.

The long-running animated series may have lost a step in recent years, but “The Simpsons” was never more on-point than it was with the satirical SUV archetype. Even in the 1990s, this is what it took for people to ask the question: “Does a typical family really need a seven-seat SUV?”

Review: 2015 Kia Soul EV +

By Mercedes Lilienthal

Every auto manufacturer strives to make an identity for itself, whether it is the off-road king, Jeep, or the finely-tuned sports car brand of Ferrari: manufacturers spend millions to ensure that when their name is said, a certain personality or set of characteristics is immediately thought of. What comes to mind when one mentions Kia? For me it's funky, fun, and fiercely competitive.

The Soul is at the top of Kia’s list for funky rides. Known for its boxy and fun façade, the Soul has been a favorite for years. It has been a red-hot seller for the Korean auto company, and most Souls are actually sold here in the USA. Since its refresh in 2014, the Soul has become an iconic model for Kia. Everyone knows what it is, and the hamsters need not to be included. It’s so popular that Kia decided to use it as a platform for its first foray into the EV market. Will the Soul EV be the next big thing for Kia? Will the target audience love it just as much, if not more than its gasoline driven cousin? I think so. And early results in California (which had the first opportunity to get this all-electric wonder) show major promise as well.

SPECS

This car has a lot to offer. Among the attributes I favor most are dual ports for vehicle plug-in capability, (the standard level 1 and 2 port as all EVs, plus the third DC fast-charge port for those times you are really on the go). The driving range is good at about 93 miles to a charge, with an EPA MPGe of 92 miles highway/120 miles city for a combined mileage rating of 105 MPGe. The front-wheel drive EV is powered by a 109-hp (81.4kW) electric motor which produces a generous 210 lb.-ft. of instant torque. And the stereo is, as always, a thumpin’ success too. Solid, sassy, and striking; let’s take a closer look from the outside in, and I’ll give you the nitty gritty along the way.

Buying a New Car, Part 4: Starting Over

By Scott Araujo

In my last post, Buying a New Car, Part 3: The Negotiation, my plan to seek out and find a 2013 xD leftover ended in frustration and disappointment. So I take a step back and start again.

I was pretty steamed about how things went while trying to buy a 2013 Scion xD leftover. I believe it truly was a series of honest mistakes and blunders as they said it was, but it was still very frustrating. After a few days I still liked the Scion but I certainly wasn't going to buy from that dealer.

Things going south like that may have been a blessing in disguise. I had been very focused on creating the list, whittling it down, and buying the car. I had become very driven and goal oriented, seeking to just get it done and over with. When it all came apart I was left with some time to reflect on what I was doing.

I had set out with a fairly simple goal: find an inexpensive car that met my needs. I had also decided to be pretty picky since I tend to keep my cars for a very long time. Andy and I had already discussed how any time you set a limit on the price, you are going to have to make some compromises. I had been pretty staunch about keeping the price low, and I had been overly motivated to get it all done ASAP. On reflection, I had been pushing too hard on both fronts. I didn't need to get it done immediately. My Honda Civic was still running just fine. I didn't need to be so hard on the price point. I was trying to keep the price really low when in reality I can afford for it to be a bit higher.

I talked with Andy, I talked with Mercedes, I talked with my wife. I can certainly be prone to tunnel vision at times and they all helped me to calm down and open up my perspective. I moved back to square one and once again considered the creation of The List.

An important point Andy made is what he tells everyone who is looking to buy a car: if you're even remotely interested in a car, go drive it. And he's absolutely right. Taking a car for a test drive is very easy to do, and whether you're hot or cool towards a car, five minutes behind the wheel can change that faster than anything else.

Review: 2014 Kia Soul Exclaim

When I drove the 2014 Kia Soul at the launch in Minneapolis last October, it was obvious Kia had done its homework. Many of the things people complained about had been addressed. Things such as interior noise, ride quality, and braking were all improved compared to the first generation Hamsterwagon. However, one can only glean so much from driving a car for a day. But after spending a week with the ’14 Soul, I got a better understanding of the good and the not-so-good.

Driven: 2014 Kia Soul

When a car company creates an iconic design, it can be very hard to update or improve it. How does a manufacturer freshen up something like the Volkswagen New Beetle, the MINI Cooper, or the Jeep Wrangler, for example, without losing the shape and traits that made it so appealing in the first place? VW, MINI, and Jeep have done a good job updating their well-known designs without leaving people wondering whatever happened to their beloved and iconic vehicles. It’s no small feat to do successfully.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have the Scion xB. You’ve probably read my gripes about the xB’s 2008 redesign where it transformed from a small, square, hip subcompact into a larger, thirstier vehicle that barely resembled the xB that people fell in love with. It turns out Scion’s approach with its redesign was a mistake as sales plummeted after the new version hit the market. With the xB in mind, Kia wanted to make sure it didn't lose sight of what made people love the Soul, which has been a runaway success for the Korean automaker. In fact, it’s the company’s number two seller in the U.S. behind the Optima sedan. So what’s a company to do when faced with the redesign of a popular shape that helped put the brand on the map? If you’re Kia, you don’t reinvent the wheel, you simply improve upon it.

2014 Kia Soul Launch: Minneapolis

I'm in my home state of Minnesota for the launch of the 2014 Kia Soul. Tomorrow is the drive day, but I have gotten a glimpse of the new Soul and it looks good. Kudos to Kia for keeping the design of the Soul true to its original, and very popular, shape. We'll have updates via our Facebook page, Twitter account, and Instagram feed, so stay tuned!

2014 Kia Soul Details

The Kia Soul has been a big hit with consumers. Now, Kia hopes to grow that success (literally) with its new, larger 2014 Soul. So how much larger is the new model? Not much. According to Kia, the wheelbase and overall length have grown less than an inch. The '14 Soul is actually narrower by .60", shorter in height by .40", and passenger volume is down by 1.3 cu. ft. Rear cargo capacity with the rear seat up, however, has grown by nearly 5 cu. ft.; that number increases by 7.9 cu. ft. to 61.3 cu. ft. (without the under tray) when the seats are folded down. Weight is up by 100–200 lbs., depending on the model.

Note the front fascia differences between the 2014 Kia Soul at left and 2013 Kia Soul at right.

Rear end differences: 2014 Kia Soul at left; 2013 Kia Soul at right.

As you can see in the pictures above, there have been some significant reworks to the Soul's sheet metal. This is most noticeable at the rear, where the taillights, lift gate, and rear bumpers are totally different.

The basic price of admission, $14,700 + $795 destination/handling fee, will get you privacy glass, hill-start assist, four-wheel disc brakes, A/C, power everything, a stereo with USB/Aux port, and Bluetooth. Base Souls will be equipped with a 1.6-liter direct-injected four cylinder making 130 hp and 118 ft/lbs of torque and mate to either a six-speed auto or six-speed manual transmission.

 For $18,200, buyers can step up to the Soul Plus, which includes 17" wheels, some different trim bits, and various options. Kia will also offer its ECO package with the company's Idle Stop and Go System (e.g. start/stop technology). "Plus" models will get a direct-injected 2.0-liter mill making 164 hp and 151 ft/lbs of torque. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic.

Pony up $20,300 and buyers can get into a Soul Exclaim, which has 18" wheels, body-colored front and rear bumper "tusks," LED positioning lights, as well as the aforementioned 2.0-liter engine and six-speed auto tranny.

There will be optional packages associated with each trim level, so if buyers want navigation, leather, an Infinity sound system, or other accouterments, Kia will be happy to oblige.

The car's minor size increase likely won't affect its success, since its overall shape has been preserved. This is unlike the story of Scion's xB redesign in 2007 in which the company took a fun, edgy subcompact wagon and turned it into what might be described as the love child of a Toyota Camry and a shipping container.

Full 2014 Soul press release below.

Cars with manual windows, mirrors, and locks

Today we say farewell to our 2012 Nissan Versa 1.6 S sedan review vehicle. This Spartan car proved to be good in many respects, although basic. No power windows, now power locks, no power mirrors, etc. Frankly, I didn’t know there were any cars left on the U.S. market without these three power items. This prompted me to see which other new vehicles are available without power features:

Chevrolet Sonic: Manual windows and mirrors (LS)

Chevrolet Spark: Manual windows and locks (LS)

Ford Fiesta: Manual windows and locks (S)

Honda Civic: Manual windows (DX)

Jeep Patriot: Manual windows and mirrors (Sport)

Kia Rio: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Kia Soul: Manual mirrors (Base)

Kia Forte: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Nissan Versa: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (1.6 S)

Smart ForTwo: Manual windows and mirrors (Pure)

Toyota Yaris: Manual windows and mirrors (LE)

I think I hit almost all of them. Are there any 2012 or 2013 models that I missed? If so, let me know. Are you in a different country that the U.S.? Which cars don't have power locks, windows, or doors where you are?

Review: 2012 Kia Soul ! (Exclaim): More power, economy, and gears for Kia's funky hamstermobile

Hamsters. There, I said it. The Kia Soul is associated with Hamsters, and I can't tell you how many times I heard that when I had this car for the week. But you know what? It's become a well-known vehicle, thanks in part to those hamsters, and to the fact this is a good overall vehicle. In terms of sales, the Soul has been a very good car for Kia since its debut as a 2010 model. In fact, it's also helped bolster the company's image as hip, fun, and affordable. For 2012, they’ve taken the successes of the earlier models models, added a new engine, transmission, some exterior restyling, and in-car “infotainment”, and improved upon an already successful formula.

In the driveway: 2012 Kia Soul Exclaim

The 2010 Kia Soul was the first vehicle reviewed on Subcompact Culture, so it seems rather fitting that the first car reviewed in 2012 is, once again, a Kia Soul.

When I reviewed the '10 Soul in August of '09, I praised the vehicle for its fair price, admirable performance, and extroverted personality. The 2012 Soul Exclaim, the top trim level, retains all that stuff, but improves on it. This includes more power, more fuel economy, and more technology. It also means two more gears for the automatic transmission. There are a host of other changes to the '12s, which Mercedes talked about when she attended the Soul's launch this summer.

For me, the first thing that struck me was the power, up to 167 horses (25 more than the previous 2.0-liter mill). This thing—automatic transmission and all—moves out pretty well. The highway ride seems more composed than the '10, too. But that's all for now. Stay tuned.

SubCompactCarParts.com specializes in outfitting small cars

With the popularity of subcompact cars on the rise, more and more parts are becoming available to make your small car the way you want it. The latest outlet to set up shop is SubCompactCarParts.com.

From Chevrolet to Toyota, SubCompactCarParts.com offers a host of items for your subcompact car. The store is the lateset venture from Rob Tallini, owner of Road Race Motorsports. Rob firmly believes the future of automotive tuning lies in part with the small car segment, and this online store is proof of that belief.

Whether its a front lip for a Fiat 500, lowering springs for a Honda Fit, a cold air intake for a Kia Soul, or a swaybar for your Suzuki, SubcompactCarParts.com has a host of parts and accessories for most subcompact cars. Check them out at SubCompactCarParts.com.

Driven: 2012 Kia Soul! (Exclaim)

The second part of my trip to Austin, TX was to test drive the refreshed 2012 Kia Soul. Although the Soul was introduced in 2010, the ’12 model gets some updated goodies, as well as two new engines. The car I drove, the Soul! (exclaim), included a new six-speed automatic (with Active Eco System), the 2.0-liter DOHC CVVT four-cylinder engine, 18” alloys, and a whole ton of personality. The Soul is quite possibly the most funky-looking and engaging small car in the Kia line-up, so I knew I was in for a treat. Away we go!

2012 Kia Rio and Soul: Overview

Last week, I attended 2012 Kia Rio and Soul launch, held at Travaasa Resort in Austin, TX. Here I test drove the new Rio five-door and refreshed Soul, learned about Kia’s newest technologies, heard where the company was headed for in the future, and what they were presently accomplishing.

Kia says within the last three years, it has been the fastest growing car brand in the US. Their vehicle sales have risen over 50% (year to date) vs. last year, they’ve had 13 consecutive months of record sales, and have 16 years of increased US market shares—pretty impressive.

2012 Kia Soul at New York Auto Show

Kia introduced its updated Kia Soul at the New York Auto Show. Changes to the exterior include projector-beam headlights, some LED running lights, and new colors.

The big news come under the hood. The Soul will get the all-new 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) four cylinder making 135 hp and 121 ft./lbs. of torque. The GDI engine will now be rated at 28 city, 34 highway with the six-speed manual transmission (up from 26/31). The Soul will still offer a 2.0-liter option, and it now gets 160 hp and 143 ft./lbs. or torque; it is rated at 27 city and 33 highway. (up from 24/30).

The Soul has been a strong seller since its introduction, and these improvements will likely make the car a choice to those who thought the fuel economy was a bit too low. More pics at KiaWorld.net.

Thanks to "Mike" for the tip.

SOURCE:
Kia World

What would be your 2010 Subcompact Car of the Year?

The end of the year always bring the "INSERT TITLE of the Year" awards. Film of the Year, Song of the Year, sports plays of the year, etc. Of course, there are the top cars of the year, too. Several sites have run their "INSERT CAR RELATED THING of the Year," and I thought, what would be my Subcompact Car of the year?

However, if I had to name a '10 model year vehicle as "Subcompact Car of the Year," I'd have to say the Kia Soul. Its sales have been outstanding, it's made people seriously look at the Kia brand that may have never considered a Kia. The Soul was marketed very well, and overall, the car is quite decent and is definitely a bang for the buck.In fact, the Soul, much like Scion's original xB, has brought new people into the small car realm, and that's significant.

Some don't like to think of the Soul as a subcompact, but its wheelbase is within subcompact territory. Its exterior isn't exactly C-segment, but more like B+ segment. So I'm sticking with my argument the Soul would be eligible for a Subcompact Car of the Year Award.

So what would your Subcompact Car of the Year be?

Now keep in mind, this would be for 2010 models only, so the Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2, for example, would be out of contention. These models will have to wait until 2011.

"This or That": Kia releases next Soul "hamster" ad

By know everyone knows Kia's "hamster" commercial for the Soul. The ad even won a Nielsen Automotive Advertising Award. Now the hamsters are back with a new commercial.

I had to laugh at the first "This" or "That" comparison: The Kia Soul or ... a toaster. Hmmm ... I wonder who "that" is aimed at? **cough** SCION **cough** Another good commercial from Kia. Oh, and if you were wanting some of the clothes being worn by the giant rodents, keep an eye on http://www.HamstarClothing.com/

Be sure to check back Tuesday, June 1 for the May subcompact sales info, in which we'll see if the Kia Soul is still selling as well as it did last month (and the few months before).

LINKS
http://www.kiasoulforums.com/
Kia.com

Kia Soul Saftey Car for U.S. Touring Car Championship

The United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) has a new safety car: The Kia Soul. Customized by GOGOGEAR Promotions, the Soul has Konig wheels, Borla exhaust, short-ram intake, flashers, a custom lip, and more.

Looks pretty good if you ask me.

SOURCE
Autoblog.com

VIDEO: Kia releases second special-edition Soul

Kia has released its second special-edition Soul. Apparently called "Special Edition #2," this Soul wears unique "Ignition Orange" paint, black wheels with machined accents, an alloy fuel door, spoiler, body kit, moon roof, black racing stripes, and several other accouterments.

Ron Tonkin Kia in Portland, OR has uploaded some photos of this vehicle to its Flikr page. In addition, they've uploaded the video below to their YouTube site.



According to Kia's Web site, MSRP is $18,550. FYI, the first special-edition Soul was the blue-colored "Denim."

LINK
Ron Tonkin Flikr photos
Kia Motors America

Romik offers truck accessories for Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a neat car. Its shape, especially from the rear, almost looks a bit SUV-like. So I immediately took notice when I saw a Kia Soul with some truck/SUV-like accessories at the SEMA Show.

This red Soul in the Shewood Automotive booth at SEMA wore a Romik front bull bar, side steps, and rear "max city bar," among other accessories, such as custom healights, aftermarket wheels, and chrome side trim and grilles, which are available through Sherwood Automotive.

These truck-like products are definitely unique for the Kia Soul. However, with the Soul's shape it, I get it. FYI, Romik products are available though Subcompact Culture sponsor, AutoAnything.


LINK
Romik USA
AutoAnything
Sherwood Automotive

SEMA: More miscellaneous goodness from day two

Day two proved to be quite busy. There appeared to be a lot of people in attendance, and many people I spoke with said it was highly trafficked.

Here are a few more cars from the show: