Kia Soul: the boxy hatchback inspired by a wild boar

The Kia Soul was a subcompact crossover-style hatchback that Kia built from 2008 to 2025 in more than three generations. It was five-door, five-seat, deliberately boxy and front-wheel drive only, and from 2014 it was also sold as the electric Soul EV.

Kia Soul at a glance

History of the Kia Soul

The Soul was designed at Kia’s design centre in California. Michael Torpey, who joined Kia from General Motors, was sent to the Namyang design centre in Korea and, after watching a documentary about Korean wildlife, decided that the wild boar stood for the qualities he wanted: strength and capability in a small, tough package. He sketched a boar with outdoor gear and a backpack, and those drawings became the 2006 Soul Concept shown at the Detroit show. American design patent drawings had been filed in 2004 and name Yongpil Jang. The name is also a homophone of Seoul, where Kia has its headquarters.

First generation (2008)

The production car was presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and aimed at North American buyers aged 18 to 35, at a time when small boxy cars such as the Scion xB, Honda Element and Nissan Cube were spreading through the American market. The interior plastics and a harsh ride were criticised early on, and both were improved during the first year of production. Standard equipment included a six-speaker stereo, CD player, USB port and Sirius satellite radio, with options such as 18-inch alloys, cruise control, a leather-wrapped wheel and themed graphics. For 2011 the Soul gained pull-out door handles, metallic interior trim, a redesigned instrument cluster and an optional smart key on the Exclaim trim.

2012 update

For the 2012 model year the exterior and interior were revised and new engines arrived. In North America the 1.6-litre direct-injection engine made 138 hp and the 2.0-litre 164 hp. European cars got a 1.6 GDI petrol or a 1.6 CRDi diesel, both available with an automatic or a new six-speed manual in place of the five-speed. The diesel returned 4.9 litres per 100 km and cut CO2 from 138 to 129 g/km, which matters where taxes follow emissions. In 2013 the North American car received a bulged bonnet, a revised grille with black chrome, LED tail lamps and indicators, smooth badges and standard Bluetooth.

Later generations

The second generation arrived in 2013 for the 2014 model year, slightly larger inside and out with a reworked chassis but the same boxy shape. The third was introduced in 2018 for 2019. Between 2014 and 2024 Kia also offered the Soul EV, an electric version of the same car.

Design and features

• Boxy shape: a tall roof and upright sides for maximum interior space.
• Front-wheel drive: crossover looks, but no all-wheel-drive option.
• Themed editions: Denim, Ignition, Dragon and Ghost models in 2010.
• Soul EV: a battery-electric version sold from 2014 to 2024.

Kia Soul versions

• Soul AM (2008–2013): the first generation, 1.6 and 2.0 engines.
• Special editions (2010): Denim with white stripes and 18-inch wheels, plus Ignition, Dragon and Ghost.
• Soul EV (2014–2024): the electric version.
• Second and third generations: 2014 and 2019 model years.

The Soul shared its platform with the Kia Venga and sits above the Picanto in size, with the Sportage as the more conventional alternative. More Kia models are in the Kia collection.

Sources

• Kia Soul, English Wikipedia: design story, generations, engines, equipment, editions