INSIDE

Inside, a good mix of materials with a protruding center stack (reminiscent of the Volkswagen New Beetle) offer a good use of space. The glove box is huge, but the flat-folding rear seats and underfloor cargo tray are where the Soul earns practicality points. The rear underfloor tray is deep and large, and likely able to accommodate a shoebox at its center. Below the tray sits a spare tire.

Practicality is good for its class despite its diminutive exterior dimensions. It doesn’t look it, but the Soul is shorter than both the Dodge Caliber and Suzuki SX4. It feels more spacious inside than either, and although with the rear seats up there’s only space for two carry-ons, with the seats down it rivals the Toyota Matrix for cargo space.

    See also:

    More space for people and cargo, and a quieter drive
    Luggage space in new Kia Sportage benefits from the 70 mm increase in the vehicle's rear overhang. With the rear seats upright, the cargo bay is 80 mm longer and 110 mm wider at floor level, thank ...

    Emergency starting
    Connecting jumper cables Jump starting Jump starting can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Therefore, to avoid harm to yourself or damage to your vehicle or battery, follow the jump starting pr ...

    Running gear
    The Kia Magentis shares a platform that is also used by Kia's compact five- or seven-seat MPV, the Carens. It features fully-independent front and rear suspension systems designed to take advantag ...