Kia Soul test drive since 2008 hatchback

Citroen C3 Picasso vs Kia Soul. In one target

Citroen C3 Picasso. Price: from 11 090 on sale: from 2009
Kia Soul. Price: 13 311 on sale: from 2009
Citroen began the development of C3 Picasso back in 2004, but the model decided to hold the exit in order to wipe his nose with an elderly direct competitors. They aimed for a long time, shot, but not alone got into the target: Kia and her Soul were successfully shot. Whoever hit the apple, we have to find out

Test pillets
Oleg Kalaushin, 40 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 22 years, personal car - Renault Logan
Igor Kuznetsov, 47 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience for 20 years, personal car - Nissan Quashqai
What C3 Picasso, that Soul, the photographs give the impression of quite large cars. The Frenchman apparently, due to its excessively spherical shape, and the Korean because of the appearance, usually characteristic of representatives of another class. Many mistakenly position it as a crossover, although in addition to forms and a slightly enlarged clearance there is no more from fashionable ones than from a mini-wen. The French, by the way, also tried to give their car more independence, but, in our opinion, an attempt to get closer to the fashion stream was more successful in the Koreans. In any case, the chopped Soul forms look much more advantageous than the pot -bellied overlays on C3 Picasso.
But back to the size. That the first, that the second car in reality is quite compact and comparable in external dimensions. At the same time, the Frenchman is even inferior to the Korean in terms of indicators such as length, width and wheelbase, surpassing it only in height, although this superiority is so insignificant that it can be neglected.
Cars and internal dimensions are similar, but the Citroenovites, designing a car for mobile youth, not only paid attention to the style of living space, but also took care of the various options for the transformation of this very space. First of all, we are talking about the possibility of varying the volume of the luggage compartment by longitudinal movement of the back row of seats. In the usual position, the volume of the C3 Picasso trunk is 385 liters. As necessary, it can be increased to 500 liters. Of course, in this case, the passengers are not as much left as we would like, but still you can go to the destination in full force. In Soul, such an opportunity is not provided. Yes, and the trunk is not so great for seeking youth adventures: only 222 liters. True, there is still an almost capital-trained subspore-organizer, but how convenient is it to use it? In the same C3 Picasso, a shelf covering the same underput can be removed and immersed in volumetric and weighty, and such a focus will not pass with Soul. The foam organizer, which is a floor, clearly cannot withstand the load. In general, for the sake of a rubber boat or tent, not to mention a bicycle or snowboard, you will have to fold the backs of the rear row. In this case, the trunk volume increases to 700 liters. However, in this case, Soul will not be able to surpass Citroen. With the same manipulations with the seat, the trunk volume of C3 will be 1506 liters. Miracles, and nothing more.
Nevertheless, we liked the interior more with Soul than C3 Picasso. It is already painful in Citroen solutions that once shot on previous models and today seem to be boring. In particular, we are talking about the central location of the instruments and double front racks. Undoubtedly, the latter fill the salon with air and light, but also the places behind which pedestrians or obstacles can hide is twice as much.
Soul, by reviewing the driver’s place, is also not a standard, but this remark is appropriate only when reversing maneuvering: too wide rear racks. But what the Soul interior cannot be blamed for is in boredom. Yes, there is hard plastic, yes, some solutions, for example, the opening button for the central duffel box or a huge niche for a loan in the central console at trim levels without a subwoofer, seem controversial, but what a flight of fantasy! And if you still recall the possibility of individualization by changing multi -colored linings, then, of course, Soul in comparison with C3 Picasso looks much younger.
Yes, and he goes much more fervent. And the point here is not even that the power of the 1.6-liter SOUL turbodiesel 1.6-liter SOL we took for the gasoline 1.4-litrous C3 Picasso. The point is the sensations from controllability. Soul is tougher, more responsive, more fatigue finally. Let him not like neither transverse seams, nor potholes in the asphalt and with a screech (due to insufficient rotation) enters the turn. But this is so you-eaten! C3 Picasso is also very good, but there is some kind of bourgeoisness in his habits, or something. It is quieter, softer, more comfortable and because of this not as mischievous as we would like. He will forgive you an unnoticed bump or pothole. But Citroen has one harden that is alarming: the steering wheel is practically completely devoid of feedback. It is equally easy to spin that when parking, on the track.
Sometimes it seems that sneezing and immediately find yourself in the other strip. In this regard, it is not possible to completely relax at high speed at the wheel of Picasso. As for the engine, it is quite appropriate on this car. Of course, 95 forces are less than 128 for Soul, but you need to pay tribute: the dynamics of cars are very similar. That's just, in order to keep up with the Korean, the Frenchman has to twist his motor almost before cutting off.

Citroen C3 Picasso
Thanks to the high roof and a fairly large wheelbase, this W-grader surpassed in the volume of the interior even the larger Citroen C4 dimensions. By the convenience of placing rear passengers, he is even able to compete with a representative brother. True, only if you use the volume of the trunk to a minimum.

Driving
The car has both short tastes around the city and long -term trips along the highway. Only an empty steering wheel puzzled.
Salon
Convenient and practical. Particular praise deserves the possibility of its transformation.
Comfort
To the best of the elastic suspension will make a comfortable riding both along a suburban highway and on a rolling canal near the summer residence. It is also worth noting good sound insulation.
Safety
In the basic configuration ABS and 2 airbags.
Price
Attractive.
 

Kia Soul
First of all, this Kia model is focused on youth. The reason for this was not only the original appearance, making Souls similar to crossovers, but also wide possibilities for individualization. The latter is achieved by making changes to the design of the salon or applying to the body of branded stickers in the style of a tattoo.

Driving
A pressed suspension, a fatal engine, excellent brakes, an adequate steering, which is still needed to have a good time driving this car!
Salon
Moderately spacious, moderately comfortable. You can only complain on a small luggage compartment, however, it will be enough for urban tasks.
Comfort
Inadequate sound insulation does not add comfort, but there is no need to shout.
Safety
In the basic configuration, 2 pillows and ABS system.
Price
Lifting.
 

Our opinion
Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Soul appeared at the right time in the right place. But it is unequivocally to say who won in this test, we do not take. The fact is that with similar ideology, cars turned out to be quite different, and we are talking not only about the appearance, but also about the behavior on the road. We still liked Citroen more. Why? Yes, because both functionality and practicality in it are greater than in Kia. But the latter will certainly be super -opoiled by young people. And here, most likely, a show -off appearance, and not a combination of qualities, will make its job.
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [October 2009]