Kia Soul facelifted

By Paul Bond

03rd October 2011

Kia has launched a heavily updated version of the Soul compact crossover. Featuring a new, more powerful 1.6-litre petrol engine, the 2012 Kia Soul gets a host of cosmetic tweaks inside and out.

The visual changes include an entirely new front bumper, headlight and grille design, with daytime running lights now situated below the main clusters. There's a longer, lower air intake for a wider stance, and all versions have grown by 15mm to accommodate the new engines and gearboxes.

The new 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine produces 138bhp - up 14bhp compared to the previous model - and uses a combination of direct injection and a new six-speed manual gearbox to improve fuel economy too. The 2012 Soul manages the 0-62mph benchmark sprint in just 10 seconds, and returns an impressive 44.1mpg combined.Carbon emissions have now dropped to 149g/km saving owners £35 in Road Tax compared to the previous model. 

Meanwhile the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel has the same power output, but thanks to a full remap, is now half a second quicker from 0-60mph, and carbon emissions have dropped below the 130g/km barrier for the first time, making the Soul road tax exempt in its first year.

A simplified set of trim levels is offered, but both the Soul 1 and Soul 2 feature a longer kitlist than before, with entry level models now coming with body coloured door mirrors and handles, steering wheel mounted audio controls and Bluetooth, while the Soul 2 gets new alloys and power-folding door mirrors. 

Prices for the 2012 Soul start at £12,495 on the road for the entry-level petrol, rising to £17,795 for the diesel auto in special 'Quantum' trim, which comes with full leather upholstery and 18-inch alloys as standard. The new Soul range is available to order now.