Review: Kia AM.I Soul (2009-11)

Overview

Released in April 2009, the Kia AM Series I (AM.I) Soul was a compact, five-door wagon. Manufactured in Gwangju, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Soul was available with either a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel unit. The Soul range initially consisted of three models: the Soul, Soul 2 and Soul 3. In September 2010, however, the range was reduced to the Soul and Soul +.

G4FC petrol and D4FB diesel engines

Of the engines,

the 1.6-litre G4FC ‘Gamma II’ petrol engine had an aluminium block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (dual CVVT) and a compression ratio of 10.5:1; and,
the 1.6-litre D4FB ‘U’ diesel engine had a cast iron engine block, an aluminium cylinder head, common-rail injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.3:1.

For the AM.I Soul, both engines were available with four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmissions.

Dimensions and suspension

The AM Soul was 4105 mm long, 1785 mm wide, 1610 mm tall and had a 2550 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Soul was fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Kia AM.I Soul specifications
Engine	Variant	Years	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
1.6-litre petrol I4	N/A	2009-11	5sp man., 4sp auto	91 kW at 6300 rpm	156 Nm at 4200 rpm
	2	2009-10
	+	2010-11
	3	2009-10	4sp auto.
1.6-litre turbo-diesel I4	2	2009-10	5sp man., 4sp auto	94 kW at 4000 rpm	260 Nm at 1900 rpm
	+	2010-11	5sp man., 4sp auto
	3	2009-10	4sp auto

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the AM.I Soul included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelt pretensioners; the Soul 2 and 3 were also fitted with traction control and electronic stability control. From September 2010, traction control and electronic stability control were standard across the range.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the AM Soul – when fitted with electronic stability control – received a five star safety rating which included an 87 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per child protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology , equivalent cars received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.11 out of 37. However, because ANCAP required electronic stability control to be fitted for a five star rating, models without it were given a four star rating.

Features: Soul, Soul 2, Soul + and Soul 3

Standard features for the Soul included a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility, USB and auxiliary inputs, air conditioning, split and flat folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tinted windows, 12 volt power outlets, space saver spare tyre and immobiliser.

The Soul 2 was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, height adjustable driver’s seat and roof rails. The Soul + was similarly equipped to the Soul 2 but added telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a ‘windshield sunband’.

Compared to the Soul 2, the Soul 3 omitted roof rails but was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with subwoofer, heated door mirrors and body kit.