Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Soul Shaker

Trendy Korean supermini is a real head-turner.

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Kia Soul
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

With an array of gadgets to match its future-proof styling, space for all the family and a Lotus-tuned chassis, the Soul Shaker is tempting. However, there’s little scope for adjusting the spec, so why not buy a base Soul 1 for £10,495 and build your own tailor-made car from the huge options list?

Advertisement - Article continues below

Kia is looking to shake up the establishment with its new Soul. It’s aimed at the likes of MINI and the Fiat 500, and the Korean firm has created three special editions for launch, each in a single colour and with a fixed set of options – the Samba, Burner and Shaker.

The Shaker gets its name from its unusual Vanilla Shake paint scheme, which is complemented by beige and black upholstery and chocolate-coloured plastics inside.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Kia Soul

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68385","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Other kit, on top of the already well specced Soul 2 trim, includes an electric sunroof, larger 18-inch alloy wheels and an iPod connection. But the real highlight is the clever reversing camera, which feeds images
to the rear view mirror.

The Soul’s squared-off SUV styling and supermini proportions look very different to anything else on the road, while the Shaker’s colour scheme and big wheels meant our car turned even more heads.

With a chassis tuned by Lotus, it’s no surprise that the Soul corners keenly, despite its upright proportions.

The suspension avoids being too firm, and copes admirably with uneven surfaces.

The 124bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine is a strong performer, combining exceptional mid-range punch with supermini-like emissions and economy.

At £13,495, the diesel Soul Shaker offers exceptional value – especially when you consider the amount of kit and space you get, plus a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. And if diesel’s not your thing, you can choose the 1.6-litre petrol unit and knock another £1,000 off the list price.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,343 off RRP*Used from £9,200
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,153 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £3,189 off RRP*Used from £11,990
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £5,330 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition
Fiat Grande Panda La Prima - front cornering

New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition

The newly crowned Auto Express Supermini of the Year is available in hybrid or pure-electric form, with the EV offering 199 miles of range
News
1 Sep 2025
Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval

Despite some models costing over the £37,000 threshold, Skoda has secured the government grant on its mid-size electric SUVs
News
2 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month

Swedish company’s popular compact SUV is still effortlessly cool, and great value with our Deal of the Day for 31 August
News
31 Aug 2025