A quick review after 2 weeks ownership
Our Soul is two weeks old today and its now done 1,000 miles. I love the car - for it's looks and ease of driving, but I really don't like the suspension and the way bumps come crashing through the car. I did initially think that it was better than the demo cars I drove, but I'm now thinking it probably isn't. I suspect that the one we have doesn't have the Lotus tweaked suspension. I heard that the first 3 months supply of cars wouldn't have this and I guess we have one of those. I'm starting to find the suspension annoying, which is a great shame. I suppose it highlights how rough the roads are around our way, but when you get on a decent road, it is fine. I'm just glad I like the rest of the car enough to compensate.
A few years ago (when my businesses was doing better!) we owned a Range Rover Sport (when they were first launched in the UK) and a Mini Convertible - both were new cars and gained a lot of attention. Especially the Mini (wife's car) as it had some custom pink stripes and pink interior. However, it seems that the Soul is getting even more attention than these and we've had loads of people say "funky car" and a few say "cool car".
After the styling, the most impressive thing about the car is the flexible diesel engine. Its so easy to drive and just loves to be driven on very low revs. You can pull out of roundabouts in third at about 1,500 revs and it pulls away nicely. It's not at all like the Ford Focus TDCi I've hired a couple of times. These stall so easily and need to be revved up to get anything out of them. After driving automatic cars for the last 7 years or so, I wasn't looking forward to driving a manual again, but the Kia is fine. With the light clutch and such a flexible engine, it's quite a joy.
I love the seating position in the Soul and the height of the seat from the floor. Its very similar to Land Rovers and I find this kind of position much more comfortable. It is also very easy to get in and out. The extra roof height is also great for getting our young daughter into her baby seat - no more bending down or banged heads.
I was hoping that the fuel economy would be better, but I guess its got to run it before getting to it's expected 55mpg. It averaged 33mpg on its second tank of fuel and 46mpg on the third. I hope it keeps improving at this rate. It should do. When I hired a Ford Focus, I got an average of 83.3mpg
on a 2 hour drive, so I know how to drive ecomonimcally. On a second hire period, I also got an average of 56mpg from a Focus over a week's driving and 1,000 miles. I'm sort of expecting the same from the Soul.
The Soul stereo is pretty good too and I love the USB port. Having all my music on one memory stick is great. I wish it had bluetooth though (I see the USA guys get this, but this is not available on UK models). Also cruise control would be nice and I do miss climate control, but then it isn't that sort of car.
I do wonder why Kia chose to put conventional wipers on it and not the modern flat blade types.
Our second car is a Saab 9-5 2.3T auto estate, but its hardly been used since we got the Soul. Mainly due to the massive difference in running costs, as the Saab only does 25mpg. I'm so impressed with the Soul, that I'm even considered getting another one in a year or so - if they upgrade the suspension. Or I may get the new facelift Cee'd SW. Gone are the days of badge snobbery for me!