- What We Know
- Forget about the Smart Fortwo, because the real star of next year's microcar class could be the 2009 Kia Soul. First shown as a concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Kia announced production of the Soul earlier this year. Looking like a slightly taller and boxier Mini Cooper, the Kia Soul has a strangely appealing style for a budget-price hatchback. Although its roof is relatively flat, the Soul's steeply sloping window line gives it a reverse wedge shape that's a little more dynamic than most cars in this class. When it announced production, Kia also said that the Soul would get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. A five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability would be used as well. Assume there will be a manual transmission of some kind, too. The 2.0-liter engine used in the current-model Kia Spectra puts out just 138 horsepower, so hopefully the Soul will get a slight boost before it arrives next year. Interior shots of the prototypes reveal a dashboard arrangement similar to the concept. There's a large U-shaped center console that houses the climate controls and radio faceplate. The instrument panel is all-new, however, with three large binnacles for the gauges instead of Kia's typical flat panel. Below the main center console, our photographers were able to zoom in on what looks like a USB port, so the possibility of an optional hard drive looks good.
- What Edmunds.com says
- Distinctive styling should help this small hatchback stand out in a field of competent, but generally dull looking rivals.
