Kia Motors’ third-generation Kia Soul has made its global debut at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. An icon of Kia design, the Soul is all-new and once again sports a bold, immediately recognizable design, uncompromising versatility and a fun-to-drive personality.
As you can see, whilst retaining its distinctive silhouette, it gains a new front look featuring a slim line headlight and DRL design, a larger front grille and fog lamp assembly, an updated front fender, wraparound taillights, a 'floating roof' and upswept rear windows, while a piece with an embossed 'SOUL' logo is proudly displayed.
In terms of dimensions, the new Soul has grown in length by 56mm to 4196mm, and with this, its wheelbase too has been extended by 30mm to a smidgen over 2600mm. Its height and width however remain the same, at 1600mm and 1800mm respectively. The increase in wheelbase ensures a more spacious cabin.
At launch, there will be two motors available – both petrol. A naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Nu four-cylinder motor that will be paired with either a 6-speed manual or an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), and produces 110kw and 178nm. There is also a sportier option available – a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder GDI engine that produces 147kw and 265nm, and is mated exclusively to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Soul features a new 10.25-inch HD colour split-screen touchscreen, and comes standard with smartphone integration and multiple-device Bluetooth connectivity; plus an available 640-watt Harman Kardon audio package, that includes an amplifier along with 10 speakers, a tuned centre speaker and subwoofer. It’s party trick however, is that it includes ‘sound mood lighting’ that emits soft light from the door panels. This mood lighting can be synchronised and flashes to the beat of the music playing through the Soul’s audio system.
The new Soul is expected to go on sale in global markets late in 2019, but will apparently only be produced in left hand drive configuration for now, meaning it is not confirmed for a local release. That said, we will keep you posted as soon as KIA South Africa gives us any news.
Also worth a look: the Kia Seltos and the Kia Sportage.
FAQ
Q: What does the Kia Soul Mk3 cost in South Africa?
The Kia Soul Mk3 starts from around R450,000 for the base 2.0-litre model with manual transmission, while the turbocharged 1.6-litre variant with dual-clutch auto sits closer to R580,000, making it a premium crossover that's priced above budget SUVs but below luxury alternatives.
Q: Is the Kia Soul Mk3 worth buying in South Africa?
The Soul Mk3 is worth buying if you want something genuinely different in the crossover space, offering excellent build quality, generous warranty coverage, and that distinctive boxy styling that stands out in any Woolworths car park, though fuel costs might sting with petrol-only options.
Q: What engine options are available in the Kia Soul Mk3?
The Soul Mk3 offers two petrol engines: a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre producing 110kW and 178Nm paired with either a 6-speed manual or IVT automatic, plus a sportier 1.6-litre turbocharged unit making 147kW and 265Nm exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Q: How big is the Kia Soul Mk3 compared to its predecessor?
The third-generation Soul has grown 56mm longer to 4196mm with a 30mm longer wheelbase of 2600mm for more interior space, while maintaining the same 1600mm height and 1800mm width to keep that distinctive boxy proportions and easy parking dimensions.
Q: What are the best features of the Kia Soul Mk3?
The Soul Mk3's standout features include a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen with smartphone integration, optional 640-watt Harman Kardon sound system with 10 speakers, and unique sound mood lighting in the door panels that flashes to your music's beat, creating a proper mobile disco experience.
Should You Buy It?
The Kia Soul Mk3 is a definite maybe, depending on your priorities and budget. At R450,000 to R580,000, it's not cheap for what's essentially a tall hatchback, but you're paying for genuine character in a sea of boring crossovers. The build quality is solid, Kia's warranty is legendary, and that boxy styling either makes you smile or cringe, there's no middle ground. The 2.0-litre manual is the sensible choice for daily driving, while the 1.6 turbo with dual-clutch is the one for weekend fun. However, the lack of diesel options hurts in our fuel-conscious market, and you'll find more space and better value in conventional SUVs like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos. Buy the Soul if you want to be different and don't mind paying extra for the privilege, but skip it if practicality and value are your main concerns. The best quirky crossover under R600,000 in South Africa is still the Soul, mainly because it has no real competition in the "interesting but impractical" category.
