Review: 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI

Asian automaker Kia has always made sensible cars, the ones you know are totally value-for-every-buck and do not charge for added frills that you really don’t need. And though the company has revealed a new upgrade to their relatively successful Soul franchise, we’re glad to announce that most of the changes on the new model are more substance-lending than cosmetic. The face-lifted 2012 Soul comes with bettered fuel economy numbers which is a hotly contested segment as well as improvements in under the hood performance. The beauty treatments that have been given to the new model are noticeable but do not dominate the landscape or try to steal the thunder from the car’s major selling point so far- its sensibility as a family lugger. With new infotainment gears, styling tweaks and updated engine choices, the 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI gets the new decade edge that it needs to stay competitive in the market though Kia has again gone the sensible route by not changing too much about the popular (and well-selling) model which will allow it to retail its most appealing facet, its sensible price.

2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI

What does it offer?

Having contributed a series of record-breaking numbers for the brand and positioning of the company, the 2012 model year Soul crossover vehicle looks to further improve its fuel efficiency numbers by 10 percent with a new start/stop system dubbed the ISG technology (Idle, Stop and Go) by the company which should help bring new customers to Kia. The fun-to-drive performance of the new Soul will be retained while the new model year car will come with options like a rear-view camera, Kia’s own UVO infotainment system, as well as an ECO package, though the base Soul is expected to come well equipped even before the added options.

The Beauty:

Fitted with swanky new gadgets like a Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), a telescoping steering column, a tilt, and improved noise vibration and harshness (NVH) reducing gear, the 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI offers many new standard features that highlight the upgraded and redesigned interiors making the model a more refined ride. Looking to project a more modern look, the 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI comes with new side mirrors and wheels, revamped taillights, and redesigned headlamps that help reemphasize the wider stance of the new model via retouched front and rear fascias. The 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI will be offered in Soul, Soul+ (plus) and Soul! (Exclamation) trims.

The Beast:

The 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 is offered with a variety of engine choices including a 160 horsepower and 143 lb/ft of torque-producing four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine as well as a 135 horsepower GDI-fitted 1.6-liter engine base engine.

The Thrill:

The higher spec 2.0 liter engine on the 2012 Kia Soul will offer 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg fuel economy in the city which betters the previous engine’s performance by 13 percent while the 1.6-liter model gets an increase of 11 percent from the previous version outputting an impressive 28 city/34 highway mpg fuel efficiency.

Interiors:

The upscale comforts of the 2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI’s interiors include a navigation system, automatic climate control, leather seat trim, and heated front seats which are included in the Premium Package. The base 2012 Kia Soul comes with Kia’s own Microsoft-powered infotainment system for in-car hands-free communication called the UVO. The 2012 Soul also gets a new sound system providing a state-of-the-art feel while providing genuine comfort on the inside. standard for the Soul Sport and Soul! trims would be an Infinity premium audio system which would be offered as an extra on the Soul +. Other additions to the interior are a limited number of premium items though the highly-touted interior design of the Soul already came with the prestige of having received the 2010 “Grooviest Interior” award from Ward’s AutoWorld so there wasn’t any real need to change much about it.

Exteriors:

Modern-looking new LED rear light clusters, a new rear bumper, a new set of front and rear bumpers, a redesigned bonnet, and LED daytime running lights that accompany new projector headlamps form the bulk of the design improvements that Kia has given to the 2012 model year Soul.

Should I buy one?

The Korean crossover has had a steadily burgeoning number of fans and the new power and styling changes look to satisfy them all. The face-lifted version of the popular yet eclectic-looking 2011 model year Soul already sold over twice the number of units this year in comparison to last year retailing 65,118 units till the start of October and is still selling strong with over 10,000 Souls being sold every month. Though changing something about a product that is already successful is always a bit of a gamble, perhaps Kia has its eyes on rivals like the Nissan Cube and the Scion xB and the automaker is looking to use the refreshed 2012 model to capitalize on the good showing of the previous model.

Price and availability:

Kia has discontinued the range-topping Soul Sport model for 2012 which leaves the Soul + (Plus) and ! (Exclamation) models above the base Soul. With 4 added mpgs on the highway, the 2012, GDi-fitted base engine of the Kia Soul is more powerful and will retail starting at $13,900. One notch up from the base Soul is the Soul Plus which comes with 22 more ponies than the base model and starts at $16,300 with a manual transmission while the six-speed automatic-trans fitted Soul Plus retails at $17,300. The Soul Exclamation is sold at a starting price of $19,600 and all the models come with an extra destination charge of $750.

Picture Gallery

2012 Kia Soul 2.0 GDI

2012 Kia Soul priced under $14,000