Review: Kia PS.I Soul (2014-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in February 2014, the Kia PS Soul was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Gwangju, South Korea, the front-wheel drive PS Soul was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

G4NA engine

The 2.0-litre G4NA ‘Nu’ petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT) and a compression ratio of 10.3:1.

Kia PS.I Soul specifications
Variant	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Si	2.0-litre petrol I4	6sp man., 6sp auto	113 kW at 6200 rpm	191 Nm at 4700 rpm

Body and dimensions

Underpinned by the same platform as the Kia YD Cerato , the PS Soul chassis achieved a 28.7 per cent increase in torsional rigidity relative to the Kia AM Soul which it replaced; in part, this was attributable to the increased use of Ultra High Strength and High Strength Steels (35 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively). According to Kia, the use of expansion foam (previously block foam) in body cavities and polyurethane-layered carpet also contributed to greater refinement.

Compared to the Kia AM Soul , the second-generation PS Soul was 20 mm longer (at 4140 mm), 15 mm wider (1800 mm), the same height (1610 mm) and had a 20 mm longer wheelbase (2570 mm), while the drag coefficient was 0.34 Cd (previously 0.35 Cd). Cargo capacity was 238 litres with the rear seats in position, though this increased to 878 litres (loaded to the window line) with the rear seats folded.

Suspension and steering

The Kia PS Soul had MacPherson strut front suspension – with a stabilizer bar – that was mounted to a sub-frame with four bushings, while the torsion beam rear suspension had longer travel shock absorbers than its predecessor. Furthermore, the PS Soul had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; as part of Kia’s ‘FlexSteer’ system, the driver could select from Comfort, Normal and Sport settings that varied the level of power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Kia Soul included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Kia PS Soul had 280 mm by 23 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 262 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2014 Kia Soul – with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine – received a four star safety rating which included a 75 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 82 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, neck and chest were rated as good, though protection of the thighs and lower leg were rated as adequate, and protection of the lower right leg and feet as marginal. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest and abdomen were rated as weak and adequate, respectively.

Features: Kia Soul Si

Standard features for the Kia Soul Si included 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres, a six speaker sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, a 4.3-inch colour touch screen, air conditioning, cloth seats, cruise control, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with parking guidelines, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted windows, roof rails, three 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.