Kia is going to bring its new Soul small car to the US in early 2009 to go head to head with Scion.
The Soul is powered by a 2.0L 4-cyl that powers the front wheels. In addition to bringing the car to the US, Kia is also planning on introducing the car to the Chinese market in December 2009.
Kia is also going to try to take a page out of Scion's book by allowing buyers the ability to customize their new ride. It's bold styling should definitely stand out as the production vehicle is expected to look very close to the concept. Let's hope that Kia is also planning on releasing a production version of the KOUP concept that was unveiled in New York.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
Related Stories:
Kia Attempts to Go After Scion with SOUL Concepts
Kia KOUP Concept Unveiled with 290 Horsepower and Very Honda-Like Styling
Comments (14)
Not that this is gorgeous, but loose the ugly wheels and it is worlds apart prettier that the xB.
Posted by TomT | May 12, 2008 7:38 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 19:38
Kind of looks like an early edition CR-V.
Posted by Nate | May 12, 2008 7:41 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 19:41
They're oddly... gocart-ish.
Posted by SEALBoy | May 12, 2008 8:28 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 20:28
soul? Seoul !
Posted by waldorf and statler | May 12, 2008 9:41 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 21:41
Except for the head lights and rims, this car actually looks okay. PLEASE Kia, ditch the rims. I have never seen uglier rims. They truly detract from the entire car.
Posted by Chris | May 12, 2008 11:02 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 23:02
Not my cup of tea but it's good to see new fuel efficient models being introduced. Good timing to compete with the Mini Clubman and some Scions.
Posted by Gary | May 13, 2008 12:01 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 00:01
The interior looks horrible. Looks like old, messed up, trampled-on gray floor carpet.
Posted by Optimummind | May 13, 2008 12:38 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 00:38
looks like a mini cooper got a redesign from a Korean who stayed up way too late playing world of warcraft and drinking red bull and felt 'inspired'. Seriously, exterior doesn't look bad, but the wheels need to go. Optimummind is right, the interior is horrible
Posted by akkadain | May 13, 2008 7:47 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 07:47
Kia is making a good call here. Offer a fuel efficient, highly customizable vehicle that will appeal to the tuner crowd as well as buyers looking for a well appointed commuter car, ala Scion(first gen). Scion went astray by losing the funky Japanese home market styling, and increasing the size (reducing efficiency) of the second generation Scions.
Posted by longdxcommuter | May 13, 2008 1:54 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 13:54
absolutely atrocious. guess Kia is going back to the old ways of making crappy ugly vehicles that nobody wants. it was a short stent into the middle echelon but you are going back to the familiar bottom of the list with this ride.
Posted by sandmanwn | May 14, 2008 6:49 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 06:49
wow just saw the interior. looks like one of those old plaid couches nobody can stand to look at more or less sit on. reminiscent of 70's era disaster.
Posted by Sandmanwn | May 14, 2008 6:52 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 06:52
Maybe you can get an insurance discount for 'ugly'. Driving that, the ins company would pay me every month...
Posted by WVO | May 14, 2008 1:42 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 13:42
I agree it's better than the xB. Put some 20's on it and get a solid color for the interior. Exterior color is too washed out, too. Go graphite maybe. Good effort for a niche market. Not my cup of tea though.
Posted by Kell | May 14, 2008 2:33 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 14:33
Kia needs to stop watching so many futuristic movies. I mean did they get the idea for those rims off of the movie The 6th Day?
Other then that the car looks pretty good looking especially the black one, I love how the back end looks on it.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | May 16, 2008 3:16 AM
Posted on May 16, 2008 03:16