The 2014 Kia Soul provides a comfortable ride, technological conveniences and functional interior space, all wrapped up in a fun and stylish exterior. The low entry level pricing of $18,660 for a small SUV makes the 2014 Kia Soul a great option for the younger generation of adventurers and families.
DRIVEABILITY
Sitting in the driver’s seat of the 2014 Kia Soul’s spacious interior, you notice the great field of view around the vehicle with its large, well-placed windows and minimal blind spots.
For a small SUV, the 2014 Soul has adequate acceleration and does mediocre job of muting the engine and exterior noise. The ride is quite comfortable, with smooth gear changes and vibration absorption, so passengers can expect a relaxing drive.
While acceleration is acceptable, one would hope for a bit more power from the top of the line Soul offering. The top of the line 2.0L engine outputs only 164 hp and for a small and lightweight SUV, one would at least hope for great fuel consumption. Although rated at 8.8 L/100km in the city and 6.5 L/100km on the highway, our combined city and highway driving test clocked a consumption of 9.0 L/100km over 450km.
EXTERIOR STYLE
The unique exterior of the 2014 Kia Soul provides both functionality and style. The sleek lines and pleasing dual tone black and white exterior with a few chrome accents make for a sharp looking exterior. The sloping windows and hidden exhaust gives the 2014 Kia Soul’s exterior a playful yet aggressive look.
Although the lightweight aspect of the Soul provides for decent acceleration, I found the exterior shell to be a bit tinny and could do with some beefing up.
The large windshield, super bright headlights and widespread beams of light were one of the best parts of driving the 2014 Kia Soul and made night time driving in the rain a breeze!
INTERIOR FUNCTIONALITY
The spacious interior of the 2014 Kia Soul feels very roomy and has many ample storage spaces for various belongings. The versatile cargo area has 60/40 folding rear seats for awkward sized items and there is also under floor storage compartments to keep smaller items hidden and protected.
The full length glass roof with sunroof makes the interior bright and cheerful and is easily control with one touch buttons. Adding to the passenger’s comfort are the heated and cooled front seats, which are a great option for a non-luxury car and really add to the comfort and relief of front passengers in all seasons. I would have liked to see an adjustable center armrest for the front passengers.
There is an overall hip design to the interior space, complete with a unique tubular speaker and vent design producing a rich and powerful sound. The large 8 inch, easy to navigate touch screen accesses most controls and settings.
I think some accent lighting LEDs would be a great addition to the interior as the Soul seems to be built for the younger demographic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are comfortable with an exterior that stands out from the crowd, then I highly recommend the 2014 Kia Soul for a test drive. You will be pleasantly surprised by the roomy interior and technological conveniences offered in this unique looking smaller SUV. The base price of $18,660 ($27,195 as tested), makes this entry level SUV is a great choice for small families and adventurous individuals.
