Kia Soul test drive since 2008 hatchback

Kia Soul: gasoline or diesel?

Kia Soul on a long test in our editorial office for more than two months. During this time, we managed to understand the character of this machine, get used to it, find out all the pros and cons of the Korean soul (this is how the word is translated).

Perhaps we will start with the latter. With everyday use in the city, it came first ... No, not the rigidity of the suspension (more on that later). The trunk caused the most complaints. Its volume is not too large, and the presence of a grid, with which you can fix the load, does not brighten up the situation. Of course, several packages from the supermarket in Soul climb, but if you just gather the whole family to the cottage, as the question arises in the style and how we all plunge it. Kia Soul holders can recall that the trunk has a fashionable underground, where you can also fold a variety of loads. But there is one nuance to get something from there only if the main trunk is virgin. Otherwise, it is impossible to get to the cellar, which significantly limits the possibility of using such a niche.

The situation could correct the rear seat adjustable in length. But, alas, such a function for Soul is not provided. Yes, and passengers of the second row will also not be able to change the inclination of the back, which in recent years these chips have already become normal for models of this class.

By the way, what class? What segment can Soul attribute to? This question has long been tormented by the minds of automobile journalists. Indeed, on the one hand, Soul refers to small single -together, but he has no minivan things, like the same adjustment of the rear seats. At the same time, in the second row of seats here it is very spacious, and, most importantly, there is a slightly enlarged road clearance, high landing and appropriate appearance. Yes, and Kia itself refers to Soul to the crossover segment ... But, between us, the clearance here is not bad only in comparison with the cars (164 mm), and there is no full drive on Soul in principle. In general, such a multi -class machine turned out.

The second claim to Kia Soul is related to the suspension. It will be harsh! Especially in the case of stylish 18-inch wheels. Frankly, it is not entirely clear why the car, which is built on the class B platform, such large paws. Of course, they make the appearance of the car a little more proportional (on the small 14-inch wheels of Soul with its heavy rear part would look terrible). But, I think, 16 inches in this case would be quite enough (in the basic configuration, Soul has, by the way, these are the wheels). And the 18th discs, coupled with not the most energy-intensive suspension, make Kia Soul tremble on many pits. Too many. In addition, noise insulation here is not ideal in the cabin is constantly heard by the engine and rumer tires.


If you see Kia Soul on white 18-inch discs, then know that this machine is in the rich configuration of Diva with a gasoline engine. It costs 779 900 rubles. If the discs are black, then the engine is diesel, the equipment is called Burner, and the price is 809 900 rubles.

True, Soul has sports notes in the character here are the suspension settings and 18-inch wheels are already working in a plus. The atmospheric gasoline engine, although it does not affect its volume (1.6 liters standard for models of such dimensions), but at the same time has a sufficient power of 126 hp. Many other motors of the same volume from European manufacturers give noticeably less. Yes, and the torque is not bad 156 Newtonians here at 4200 rpm. True, this Korean engine has a long -known feature due to strict environmental norms, it is slightly strangled on the bottoms. So if you are used to dynamic driving, Soul will make you actively work with your right foot. And when promoting the engine to about 4 thousand revolutions, you will receive quite decent acceleration.

Especially if the machine is equipped with mechanics. Our Soul, however, had a machine gun. Not very modern, four -speed, albeit with the possibility of manual switching. For a dynamic driving, it is not suitable for delays when switching, and the engine power is conceived. But when moving around the city, the classic hydrotransformer machine did not annoy. And that is good.

And here we must recall that Soul can be bought with a diesel engine, we swept in such a machine. Soul diesel was very good! With a volume of 1.6 liters, the engine produces 128 hp. (that is, it is more powerful than a gasoline analogue). But the advantage of a diesel engine is not only in the amount of horsepower, but in a non -wiping moment of 260 N ∙ m, which can be obtained in the range from 1900 to 2750 revolutions (the gasoline engine has only 156 N ∙ m). It is these additional Newton meters that make Soul a truly interesting machine. There are no problems with acceleration, with overtaking trucks on the highway, too, and the fuel consumption pleases in the city about 8 liters. But a gasoline machine with automatic transmission required 11-12 liters for every 100 km of path! Nehilo by modern standards.

In fact, comparing gasoline and diesel Soul is pointless. Diesel will win anyway. Someone will say that the diesel is more expensive. Yes, more expensive. But not much! And this is one of the main surprises of Soul with a diesel machine with a machine gun (not putting the mechanics) in the Luxe configuration can now be purchased for 739,900 rubles. For comparison, gasoline Soul with a similar level of equipment is cheaper for ... 20 thousand rubles. And, believe me, it’s better to pay them. At first glance, 740 thousand for Soul, even with rich equipment, diesel and automatic, seems overly large. However, in today's times, this is a completely adequate price for a similar machine. After all, let's say, the Kia Ced_SW station wagon with similar equipment costs 730 thousand rubles, and the KIA Venga compact single -combor, which has similar dimensions similar to Soul, will cost 713 thousand rubles. And this despite the fact that Ceed_SW and Venga will have a gasoline engine, not a diesel engine. And their road clearance will be smaller.


On November 28, 2011, sales of the updated Soul will start in all official KIA dealerships. Now gasoline versions of the model are equipped with a new more productive Dual CVVT engine, the power of which increased to 129 hp. And diesel engines fully meet the requirements of the Euro-5 standard. Among external changes: the design of the radiator grille, front and rear bumper, headlights and fog lights, rear lights are updated. Depending on the configuration, the car received daytime running lights or LED daytime running lights, rear LED lights, side mirrors with turning point indicators. In the cabin, the design of the central console, the dashboard, the LCD display appeared indicating the parameters of the air conditioning system. The equipment also included a help system when starting at the rise


Denis Smolyanov
Photo by the author


 
 
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru