Kia Motors has unveiled the all-new 2014 Soul crossover vehicle at the 2013 New York Auto Show!
Designed at Kia’s California design studio, the all-new Soul crossover boasts significantly refreshed exterior and interior layouts, as well as vastly upgraded powertrain technology.
The 2014 Soul is slightly larger thant the model it replaces. Its wheelbase and width have grown by 20,3mm to 2,570mm and 15,2mm to 1,800mm, respectively, while the height has remaind the same as with the previous Soul model.
The new model rides on a new platform that’s nearly 30 percent stiffer than before, meaning the Soul’s driving dynamics have been improved.
Kia’s engineers have paid a special attention to the car’s ride and handling which has been improved through a heavily revised front and rear suspension set ups.
2014 Soul Trim Levels
The vehicle will offer buyers three trim levels – Base, Plus and Exclaim — when it goes on sale this fall. Pricing will be released closer to the Soul’s launch date!
Soul Engines, Transmissions
Under the hood, the 2014 Kia Soul offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines, the 1,6L and 2,0L!
The base version of the second-generation Kia Soul is powered by a 1,6L GDI (gasoline direct injection) unit which generates 130 horsepower and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft ) of maximum torque.
The Soul “Plus” and “Exclaim” models are fitted with Kia’s 2,0L Nu engine generating 164-horsepower and 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque.
The base 1,6L engine is coupled with six-speed manual transmission or, optionally, to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Soul Plus may be equipped with either transmission, while the Soul Exclaim is available exclusively with the six-speed automatic transmission.
2014 Kia Soul Photo Gallery
Stay tuned for more Kia Soul news, videos, specs…
I really like it, but it totally need an AWD variant
I completely and whole-heartedly disagree with it needing AWD. I mean, it is set up for a TORSION BEAM rear axle for crying out loud! I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that per se, but if Kia didn’t want to go to the expense of developing an independent rear suspension (which would be required for AWD) for this car, why in the WORLD would they go to the development expense of adding AWD. The platform the Soul sits on is NOT set up for AWD in any way shape or form, and the take rate on AWD models Kia already sells is very low. They would never gain back a return on their investment without pricing the car out of the market. By keeping the car simple FWD, torsion beam – they can keep the cost down and pack it full of features and options. Kia knows what they are doing. Trust me, they have no problems selling Souls as-is.
Have a look at Kia Cub…….it is released in Korea and seen on http://www.caradvice.com.au. Looks unreal and not much tweaking to get an unreal car into its portfolio
Does anyone else realize that the only carry-over vehicles in Kia’s 2014 line-up are the Rio, Rio5, and Sportage? I wouldn’t be too surprised if a refreshed 2014 Sportage showed up in LA though. Making the Rio twins the only carry-over…that is really impressive.
Sportage refresh will probably be in Frankfurt in September, it is mainly a European model, anyway. I’m sure it will get all the same goodies (better NVH, eServices, FlexSteer, etc) as the other 2014 models.
I don’t like how the rear hatch looks. It is one piece, but they make it look like multiple pieces with some parts being black, and other parts of it body color. The front end looks good.
I am starting to seriously research a 2014 Kia Soul in 6-speed form and in Molten color. Not sure if I would want the ! or if the base would do us. Kia packs so much goodness into every car in base form that we might just be covered as it’s built in base form. So our costs would be lower right off the bat. That’s part of the fun – finding that out.