Driving

The Kia is available with 2.0-litre or 2.7-litre V6 petrol engines, but we prefer the 2.0-litre turbodiesel. There's a fair amount of diesel clatter at idle, but once on the move it delivers power progressively, and at cruising speeds is impressive refined. It serves up its power in a progressive manner too. So it's a shame the Kia's clutch action is snappy which, combined with a less-than-slick gearbox, makes smooth progress difficult. What's more, dynamically the Magentis feels flimsy. It rolls through corners, and this increased body movement means it works its front tyres much harder. There's also a lot of dive when braking, and the middle pedal is soft under-foot too. The steering is light and vague, and never inspires confidence. Unfortunately, the soft dynamic set-up doesn't translate into a decent ride quality either, because while the Kia is cushioned over smooth surfaces, the dampers don't control suspension movement. As a result, it can become crashy over imperfections, while kickback through the wheel is a problem. Still, stability control is standard.

    See also:

    Spacious, State-of-the-Art Interior
    Inside the cabin is where Kia Soul really shows its power to surprise. For those who want a personal lounge on wheels or an efficient cargo carrier with 14 storage zones, Soul has it covered. Whil ...

    Specifications & Consumer information
    Dimensions Bulb wattage Tires and wheels Recommended lubricants and capacities Vehicle identification number (VIN) Vehicle certification label Tire specification and pressure label Engine numbe ...

    Instrument cluster
    1. Tachometer 2. Turn signal indicators 3. Speedometer 4. Engine temperature warning light 5.Warning and indicator lights 6. Odometer / Tripmeter 7. Shift position indicator (Automatic tran ...