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Car group tests

Kia Soul vs Peugeot 2008 vs Renault Captur

Kia’s new Soul has carried over the original’s angular looks, but has grown – and it’s gunning for the top crossovers

There's plenty of choice in the supermini sector, but if you need more space, and don’t want to move upto an ordinary compact hatchback, you have a range of alternatives to pick from.

One distinctive option is the Kia Soul. While the first generation was a funky looking SUV-style supermini, the new model is now bigger and aiming to move into the fashionable crossover upmarket. 

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For its first test, we’ve lined up two other models that also break from hatchback convention. The Peugeot 2008 is already a road test winner thanks to its tough SUV styling cues, low running costs and decent practicality.

Meanwhile, the quirky Renault Captur delivers the same high-riding stance and decent running costs as its rivals, but also comes with a host of personalisation options.

Kia Soul review

Peugeot 2008 review 

Renault Captur review

Which alternative supermini has the right mix of talents to take victory?

Click the links above to read each review, then read on for our verdict.

Head-to-head

Boot space

The Kia Soul is the tallest and widest car here, and it also has the longest wheelbase, but the extra space is given to the passenger compartment, not the boot. 

It has the smallest capacity here, at 354 litres, while the tailgate opening is narrower and has a higher lip than the Peugeot’s.

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These cars get hard load covers that fold up to boost access; the Renault has a more practical hinged cover that rises with the tailgate.

Technology

Connect Plus versions of the Soul come with an eight-inch touchscreen (below) that’s easy to use and has sat-nav with clear graphics. In contrast, the Renault and Peugeot feature systems that take time to familiarise yourself with, and even then aren’t as easy to operate when on the move.

Emissions

The Soul is heavily penalised by the lack of stop-start. Emissions of 132g/km are 37g/km behind the Renault’s, and mean road tax is £130 a year; the Captur is exempt. The Peugeot emits 103g/km, so its road tax costs £20 a year.

Verdict

1st place: Peugeot 2008 

The Peugeot 2008 is a great car that should be at the top of any supermini crossover buyer’s shopping list. It’s comfortable and the SUV-style body delivers practicality, while the diesel’s balance of efficiency and pace is hard for either rival here to match.

2nd place: Renault Captur

If you want a supermini with a bit more space, the Renault Captur is a fine choice. Personalisation options help it to stand out, and it has low running costs on its side, but the performance sacrifice you have to make is just too much to live with.

3rd place: Kia Soul

The second-generation Kia Soul is a disappointment. It doesn’t have the funky touches needed to stand out in this class. The looks are awkward and the lack of stop-start is a serious omission that hits running costs and will deter younger buyers.

 Peugeot 2008 Renault Captur Kia Soul
    
On-the-road price/total as tested£18,045/£19,445£17,895/£18,840£17,500/£17,500
Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000)£8,517/47.2%£8,924/49.9%£8,295/47.4%
Depreciation£9,528£8,971£9,205
Annual tax liability std/higher rate£592/£1,183£535/£1,070£762/£1,524
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)£1,579/£2,631£1,599/£2,665£1,822/£3,037
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost20/£234/B/£2012/£312/A/£010/£346/E/£130
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service£16.99p/m (3yr/30k)Free (4yrs/48k)£339 (3yrs/30k)
    
Length/wheelbase4,159/2,538mm4,122/2,606mm4,140/2,570mm
Height/width1,556/1,739mm1,566/1,778mm1,600/1,800mm
Engine4cyl in-line/1,560cc4cyl in-line/1,461cc4cyl in-line/1,582cc
Peak power 113/3,600 bhp/rpm89/4,000 bhp/rpm126/4,000 bhp/rpm
Peak torque 270/1,750 Nm/rpm220/1,750 Nm/rpm260/1,900 Nm/rpm
Transmission 6-spd man/fwd5-spd man/fwd6-spd man/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel50 litres/space saver45 litres/£9554 litres/space saver
Boot capacity (seats up/down) 360/1,172 litres377/1,235 litres354/994 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight1,180/528/1,300kg1,170/374/900kg1,383/537/1,300kg
Turning circle10.4 metres10.4 metres10.0 metres
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery3yrs (60k)/1yr4yrs (100k)/4yrs 7yrs (unltd)/1yr
Service intervals/UK dealers20k miles (1yr)/30018k miles (1yr)/24820k miles (1yr)/170
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.14th/26th*15th/9th*7th/10th*
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./points88/77/72/588/79/61/5N/A
    
0-60/30-70mph9.8/10.1 secs11.8/12.0 secs10.2/10.7 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th 3.8/5.2 secs5.1/7.9 secs4.4/6.8 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th 7.4/10.2 secs12.1 secs/N/A8.8/11.5 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph 117mph/1,900rpm106mph/2,100rpm112mph/2,100rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 58.5/41.3/12.1m51.6/36.2/8.9m46.4/33.7/10.0m
Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph70/47/63/71dB68/53/63/71dB71/47/60/68dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range48.9/10.8/538 miles46.5/10.2/460 miles40.8/9.0/485 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 60.1/78.5/70.6mpg67.3/83.1/76.4mpg46.3/64.2/56.5mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 13.2/17.3/15.5mpl14.8/18.3/16.8mpl10.2/14.1/12.4mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket161/105g/km/17%163/95g/km/15%186/132g/km/22%
    
Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/cameraSix/yes/rear/noSix/yes/yes/£350Six/yes/no/yes
Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control£400/yes/yes£1,000/yes/yes£500/yes/yes
Climate control/leather/heated seatsYes/£750/£150Yes/no/£250Yes/no/no
Met paint/panoramic roof/keyless go£495/£400/no£495/no/yes£490/no/no
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth£650/yes/yes/yesYes/yes/no/yesYes/yes/yes/yes
    
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