Kia Soul Facelift: New York catch-up

The 2011 / 2012 Kia Soul debuts at the New York Motor Show

A nipped and tucked 2012 Kia Soul

Kia has given the Kia Soul a nip and tuck for 2011/2012, with a new, more powerful, direct-injection 1.6 litre petrol lump and some cosmetic tweaks.

As the car world seems to become more corporate and bland with every year that passes, truly ‘Marmite’ cars get fewer and fewer. But one car that is still a ‘love it or hate it’ choice is the Postman-Pat Kia Soul. And it’s had a bit of a nip and tuck for he 2012MY and been rolled out at the New York Motor Show.

Some of what’s been revealed in New York we won’t get – such as the 2.0 litre petrol lump – but we will get a new 1.6 litre petrol engine with direct injection offering 138bhp – more than 10% up on before – and an improvement in economy of 10%. More power and less fuel; the best recipe.

Cosmetic changes include the now ubiquitous LED driving lights sitting beneath a re-shaped bonnet and atop a new bumper. Similar changes are wrought out back, with LED light clusters and a new bumper.

Inside is still van-like (certainly in dimensions) with a simple three-dial dash, but Kia has added the now required iPod/MP3 connectivity with extra controllers on the steering wheel. You also get a reversing camera if you opt for the upgrade sound system (no, we don’t see the logic either).

Love it or hate it, you have to admire the Kia Soul for daring to be different. And you can’t deny its commodious practicality or its less than outrageous starting price of £12k.

The 2012 Kia Soul goes on sale in the UK in the Autumn.