2012 Kia Soul Gets More Equipment and Direct-Injected Engine

Korean automakers especially Hyundai and Kia have been growing worldwide. Kia just reported a rise in worldwide sales at around 18%. What used to be seen as cheap, unreliable automotive appliances are not stylish vehicles that compete with the best in their respective classes. 

For 2012 the boxy Kia Soul is getting a new 1.6 liter, four-cylinder direct-injected engine and six-speed manual transmissions are available across the board. The exterior also gets minor tweaks to the headlights, front grill and new wheels. The rear also gets better incorporated wrap-around tail lights.

The 2012 Soul has two engine options. There is a 1.6 liter, four-cylinder that produces 138hp and gets to 100km/h in 10 seconds. This engine gets 44.1mpg in the combined cycle and produces 149g/km of CO2. The other engine option is a 1.6 liter, four-cylinder diesel engine. It produces 126hp and accelerates to 100km/h in 10.3 seconds. It gets 57.6mpg in the combined cycle and produces 129g/km of CO2. The diesel engine is also available with an automatic transmission, and it changes the numbers significantly. Acceleration slows to 11.3 seconds, fuel economy drops to 47.9mpg and CO2 production increases to 155g/km of CO2. 

There are four trim grades available on the Soul. Soul 1 is the basic car that now gets Bluetooth connectivity, body-colored door handles and mirrors. Soul 2 gets front foglights, 16in wheels and electric door mirrors. The Hunter has 18in wheels, a sunroof, reverse camera, LED running lights, heated door mirrors and an eight-speaker sound system. The Quantum gets black 18in wheels, a piano black bumper, chrome door handles, black leather interior, heated seats. It also has the same reverse camera, running lights and stereo as in the Hunter. 

The 2012 Kia Soul went on sale October 3 in the UK. Prices start at £12,495 for the base 1.6 GDI 1 and top out at £17,795 for the 1.6 CRDi Quantum with automatic transmission.