Kia Soul 2018 Philippines Review: Latest Price, Specs, Interior

Don’t trust a book by its cover since looks can sometimes be deceiving. This is the case of the Kia Soul. Many Pinoys do not like its boxy body which is not really an ideal appearance for a fast automobile.

That said, the Kia Soul 2018 Philippines still has many things to show off, especially what hidden under the sheet metal such as a 1.6-liter CRDi diesel engine, a VGT and 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Anyway, those are enough to make it appealing to lots of Filipino motorists.

Now, keep reading our review on the Kia Soul 1.6 SL VGT CRDi DCT trim to give the Soul a chance to change your mind.

The Kia Soul has many things to show off

Kia Soul Philippines Review

For almost ten years, Kia Motors has not carried out any drastic changes on the Soul design, except for very subtle alteration on the 2018 model compared to the Kia Soul 2016, because the design has its own appeal to its patrons.

The Kia Soul exterior is quirky, like the Toyota BB. To tell the truth, that design hardly makes people appreciate. If only the car manufacturer of Japan gave it some curves at the rear end, everything would be different. Thankfully, the front fascia is not bad to feast your eyes upon. Besides, its contrasting roof color is great, especially when a white one combined with a blue body paintjob. What a nice touch!

Let’s have a closer look at this subcompact crossover.

For almost ten years, Kia Motors has not carried out any drastic changes on the Soul design

The Soul exterior is quirky

Kia Soul exterior - side view

If only the car manufacturer of Japan gave it some curves at the rear end, everything would be different

Body color front bumper

Black high-gloss rear bumper

High-mounted stop lamp

Surface-mounted roof rail

Getting inside, the new Kia Soul impresses us with a beautiful dashboard which is full of circles and recalls of the Mini Cooper Countryman. If putting the Soul exterior and other players’ for comparison, the said vehicle will certainly be defeated.

However, when it comes to interior design, it is not inferior to any models. Even though there are some plastic, the dash is not cheap-looking. Sadly, the display head unit there, which features USB ports, decent-sounding speakers and steering wheel buttons, is non-colored.

Plus, if the company could take away the circular shapes at the center, the dashboard would be more stunning.

The ingress and egress are improved

An airy space in both front and rear add to the cabin’s overall comfort

Also being eye-catching in the 2018 Kia Soul interior are yellow stitches scattered throughout the cabin. They’re well matched with the complicated seat design, giving the inside a more refreshing look.

Concerning space, an airy space in both front and rear add to the cabin’s overall comfort. Owing to the boxy shape, a massive amount of headroom is offered for all passengers. However, if you’re a leggy one, you’ll really need some legroom.

The boot space is also so generous that it appears to fit even a small washing machine. Better still, folding the rear seats down and you’ll have the maximum space. Your load and unloading would be more effortless if the truck could be lipless.

Standard audio system

Expansive 2nd row roominess

Auto cruise control

Flex Steer

Aux, iPod®, USB connectivity

Cooling glove box

ECM mirror

Do you know the boxy-looking Kia Soul 2018 hides the “soul” of a famished wolf who’re ready for a hunt for the night’s dinner? As stated, propelling it is a 1.6-liter CRDi engine producing 136 hp and 300 Nm of torque, a 7-speed DCT and a variable geometric turbocharger (VGT). Could you name a model owing these three? These things help the Soul react instantaneously to each step on the accelerator.

When on the move, it performs like there is no tomorrow. Particularly, do not forget to brace yourself once the turbo kicks in at around 2,000 rpm. On top of that, disc brakes bring the Soul the braking power it needs.

Propelling the Kia Soul is a 1.6-liter CRDi engine

Despite a cumbersome appearance, the Soul is not a fuel guzzler. In cities, at 15 kmph, it consumes 6.4 km/l of fuel why running on highways at an average speed of 90 kmph, the figure rates 22.2 km/l. With these admirable numbers, you will absolutely not need to shift to Active Eco mode to save up on fuel.

As for the 7-speed DCT, though it works quickly and precisely, its performance at lower speeds is not much appreciated. Sometimes, it shuffles the gear, especially when starting acceleration and slowing down. That is, the DCT takes time to get used to, notably if you used to drive a car equipped a conventional automatic gearbox. Once getting the hang of it, you might not resist this sport utility vehicle.

Handling is magnificent. Thanks to a changeable steering wheel, you can choose your favorite driving modes, including Normal, Sporty and Comfort. When getting around town or even moving on expressways, we highly recommend the Normal model since it is very easy to maneuver. The visibility provided for the driver is good, yet the side mirrors should not have come with that curvy design. Yes, these mirrors partially reduce the overall visibility.

When on the move, it performs like there is no tomorrow

Keep in mind that the Soul is a crossover, so we love its ride comfort. It has a ground clearance that helps itself to overcome most road imperfections without compromising super dampened suspensions and body rolls.

>>> You may also concern: Next-gen Kia Soul 2019 might be an AWD vehicle

In the general run of things, the Kia Soul 2018 Philippines is actually a speed-hungry machine bundled in an odd styling. Despite the outer look, we still find that the model breathes out a lot of youthfulness.

The Kia Soul cost ranges from P995,000 to P1,285,000. As to the mid-range 1.6L SL VGT CRDi DCT, it sets you back P1,198,000, a fairly competitive price when compared to other buddies in subcompact crossover segment. So, if beauty is not in the face is your spirit, try selling your “soul” to this model.

If beauty is not in the face is your spirit, try selling your “soul” to this model