Many of you have been impatiently waiting for an exciting Kia Soul crossover to make it’s official US debut, and last week, that day has finally arrived.
At last, I would say. Since many of US automotive press and media published their juicy first-drive reports earlier this month, I got many requests for more Soul information from our readers.
On the same day, when Soul made it’s US debut, I received an official Soul press pack from Kia Motors, who has kindly responded to my request for sending me some official Soul information.
I have published it here a few days ago. In case you missed it and want to know all the details and information on the US-Spec Soul, please check this link: Official press release of the 2010 Kia Soul.
In addition to that, the official document also included a large number of high-quality interior and exterior images.
Today we would like to share 12 high-resolution images of the new Soul that showcase a beautiful red-black colored interior.
Tomorrow I will also post a bunch of new exterior shots. Enjoy the pics!
Kia Soul gallery
perfect.
i still wanna see a good int. pic with the factory nav installed.
I really love the way the centre stack is set out in the Soul.
I agree Martin, it does look good. The one feature that intrigues me is the switch for “passenger airbag on/off” is that if you’re carrying a person you don’t particularly like, or what???
On the other hand, giving it some thought now, it may be when a small child is the passenger, so the air-bag doesn’t go off in their face as you’re both about to be killed by a head-on collision with another car, truck or tree.
Hehe Ozy, that was a funny one!:)
–
You switch the airbag off when you carry a baby-seat and your child in it on the passanger seat. It prevents the airbag to deploy and damging the kid.
–
This is a standard feature on most of the European vehicles. Don’t know how is it in other countries.
I’m glad you liked it Himi. I guess I’ve seen a mention of it in the drivers manual or a note on a placard in the glove-box, or on the back of the passenger side sunvisor, but nothing to turn the air-bag off or on. All I could hope is that this situation doesn’t occur by default, surely the air-bag is operational every time you start the car?? and you have the option to turn it off if required. As you say I’m not too sure what it’s like elsewhere in the world.
The switch is in the seat, and it turns on and off automatically depending on how much weight is in the passenger seat. If there is less than 80 lbs in the seat, or if an adult is sitting improperly in the seat to where the airbag could seriously injure them, the airbag stays off. If someone who weighs enough for the airbag to deploy without being seriously injured (80-90 lbs) sits on the seat, the airbag stays on. Even our 2004.5 Spectra had that feature. Every Kia vehicle in the USA had that feature starting in 2005. In fact, we even got a pamphlet in the glove compartment with Spectra and Optima explaining the system. You guys not knowing anything about it is kind of strange for e to hear.
I’m gonna guess that because of the MPH speed-o all of the stuff in these pics will be available on the US spec Soul? I wanna see a US spec Soul with leather seats, just to make sure they will be available in the US.
That’s tight, some models have this system, I know Hyunda Sonata does and so must Optima and other Kias. But some smaller cars here in EU also have switch, which you have to manualy turn off if want airbag not deploying.
I don’t know which system Soul uses, but I’d say it’s a manual one.
Wow!! I guess we’re living on the edge here in Australia, flying by the seat of our pants, so to speak.
All, including base Rio in the USA have automatic systems. You can’t get a manually operated system in the US. I’m guessing that not all Kias have that there? Go to the forums, and there’ll soon be a picture of the system on every US Kia. It has been standard for a long time, in fact, it is federal law that all Vehicles come equipped with it starting in 2007.
Even Maz6 has that system. Our sportage doesnt have a passenger airbag but I think even sportage might have had it.
I am one of the many waiting impatiently on the Soul, especially the Soul!. I am overdue to buy a new vehicle, and I really want to stay with a hatchback and I believe the Soul! will be the best available in the 2009 segment.
It seem strange to me Greg that all cars in States have what would be called a passive system, but you guys, by law don’t have to wear a seat-belt do you??
Yes you must wear a seat belt in most states
Good to hear mate. Yes, I just checked out my ’06 Mitsy and there’s plenty of reference in the manual about not putting a rear facing child seat and or placing a small child in the front passenger seat, always in the back, but no switch in the seat or means to turn the airbag off on the dash…oh well.
Yes, all cars in the USA have to have a passive airbag sensor in the passenger seat. It is the law in all states that front seat passengers have to wear a seatbelt, but rear seat seatbelt laws vary by state. Like in Michigan if you are over 13 yrs old, you don’t have to wear a seatbelt in the backseat. It is also a law that all children under 8 yrs old must use a booster seat, and they recommend that a child stays in a child seat until they are 4’9″. Safety laws are very strict here. All vehicles sold in the USA must have front and front passenger airbags standard-at the bare minimum. Also, cars have to receive a 3 star rating at least to be legal. That is why Chinese cars aren’t littering our roads yet.
Strange how some cars get a 5 star rating in the US and only 3 or 4 on the EuroNcap…
By the way, safety wise it is always better to have the possibility to switch of the airbag manually… A sensor only senses weight, not the fact if there is an adult sitting on the seat…
Even if there is an adult, the adult may be sitting improperly on the seat. If there is an adult over 80 lbs sitting correctly on the seat, the system stays on.
Why no arm rest in the Soul?
yeah and there isn’t one in the sportage either now
or at least one that is usaeble anyway
There is an armrest on the Soul. It is only single compartment though.
As far as I know, arm rest will not be available in all markets and it will be an arm rest on the driver’s seat (as on Rio), so no compartiment!
Lots of positives, and a few negatives. But let’s face it, we’re mainly attracted to that sweeping window design. It’s genius.
most of yall are jack -sses its a kia nice ride but all of your concerns or most are stupid and have no thought but go back to your desk and read and write about basically nothing ,,,,and yes we are going to get a soul, not knocking the ride. just you because you are so,so lonley….sounds like a bunch of tired hands or wrist, see you bearded ladies later be good girls buyyyyyyy…..and yes it is late to respond to you sexy girls but i just needed something cheap and good on gas/////