Click for some live shots of the latest version of Kia's Soul concept
Today in Las Vegas, Kia COO Len Hunt told us that the production Kia Soul we'll be getting before too long will look almost exactly like the updated concept they showed us here today at SEMA. It also happens to look a lot like the spy shots we showed you last month. In case you forgot, Kia introduced the Soul crossover at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The camo-covered production version has been spotted in the Detroit area not far from the Hyundai-Kia Tech Center. The production version looks like it sticks pretty close to the concept on the outside. The main visual differences are the rear suicide doors being replaced with conventional types and frames around the side glass. The shape of the vehicle with the slight downward sloping roof-line and the boxy front remains true to form. We'll probably see this one make its public debut during the coming auto show season, perhaps as soon as the Detroit Auto Show in January.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro revealed!
Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid Prius-fighter caught
Best shot yet of the Transformers 2 mystery Vette
Spy Shots: Subaru WRX STI spec C
In The Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG
First Drive: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 w/VIDEO![In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Ford Flex Limited [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/ford-flex45015_thumbnail.jpg)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Ford Flex Limited [w/VIDEO]
First Drive: 2009 Mazda6
Should've bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G's GPS capabilities
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chaz @ Oct 30th 2007 8:25PM
Yet another Kia with neat touches, but not very cohesive. Like the fat C-pillars (though they're probably hell on visibility), nose looks a bit like Suzuki Kizashi (certainly the fender/hood juncture vent is a Suzuki touch), or maybe Daihatsu Sirion, but not bad at all. Maybe it's just the side I'm having trouble with, but no doubt it will be toned down for the production version. Maybe it will grow on me.
RicardoHead @ Oct 30th 2007 8:29PM
I think it looks awesome. Thumbs up to Kia for being stylishly "incohesive."
Last thing we need is a bunch of cohesive carbon copies.
Vivek @ Oct 30th 2007 8:34PM
Looks better/more stylish than the Ford Flex.
Brad C @ Oct 30th 2007 8:39PM
Amen to that, the Ford Flex is a brutal attempt at a 'hip' vehicle. This Kia looks good though, good for them.
Everett @ Oct 30th 2007 9:11PM
If the big three had a turnaround from concept to production like these guys, they wouldn't be two cycles behind trends in buyer's tastes. Instead, GM sets-up a website to "choose" a favorite minicar concept (Beat, Groove, Trax) with no intention of producing any of them for the North American market. How to alienate a potential customer...right into the Kia showroom.
Andre @ Oct 30th 2007 10:07PM
I don't know what it is but I find this design so appealing and refreshing what kia has done in the past...its a great take on the element/xB design. I hope it does well for them.
Mike M. @ Oct 30th 2007 10:11PM
I feel like a lot of concepts get suicide doors but rarely do these doors make it to production. Why put them on the concept at all then?
Carlos @ Oct 31st 2007 3:13AM
Concepts always have suicide doors to give a better view of the interior at a show, since people are only going to see it from a bit of a distance.
Calguy @ Oct 30th 2007 10:56PM
Amen. If I were running a car company, I'd urge designers to mold the metal any way possible.. that's just stamping.. but if there's no chance in hell of the engineers costing out suicide doors (same with they usual 22" rims usually seen on likely-to-be-produced concept cars) -then don't bother. Design a car that's GOING to be produced.
That said.. this Hyundai has the nicest looking bodywork I've ever seen from this brand. Top notch.
Tim UF @ Oct 30th 2007 11:22PM
Kia, Mini called, it wants its Mini Cute-Ute concept back, Thanks!
jsjs @ Oct 31st 2007 12:53AM
Uhh, the Kia Soul concept and the Mini Clubman concept were both shown at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.
And if anything, it was Toyota/Scion and Honda which introduced the world to boxy cute-utes (if one can call them "cute").
David @ Oct 31st 2007 12:51AM
Kia and Hyundai are working hard to get to that number
one spot
The Kia Mesa and Kia Soul are coming soon and the
Hyundai Genesis/i50, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and
Hyundai i70 (a new Luxury car from Hyundai to compete
against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS, and BMW
7-Series and properly coming in a year after the Genesis)
here a link to some Spy Shoots to the Hyundai i70
http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundais-i70-bhl.html
PJ @ Oct 31st 2007 2:23AM
A smaller, skinnier wheel-and-tire package--like the production car will probably use--could drastically reduce the visual appeal of this car.
Otherwise, *wow.* Assuming the price stays in Kia's usual sub-$20K neighborhood, this car should do a lot for the company's profile in the US. Getting kids to cross-shop this with the Scions and Civic coupe would be a major victory.
Also interesting that the Soul resembles any number of concept cars from the mid-to-late '90s, when every designer on the planet was cranking out kinky two-box concepts.
Brian @ Oct 31st 2007 2:45AM
I love this design. Looks very trendy for the young, utility crowd. With Kia's great quality to match, I'm expecting to see this on the roads.
jsjs @ Oct 31st 2007 3:10AM
I wouldn't say Kia has great quality (it lags significantly behind Hyundai), altho it is improving.
The Kia cee'd has been getting rave reviews for its handling in European auto mags.
Hopefully, the Kia engineers have engineered the same type of handling in the Soul.
Bob-omb @ Oct 31st 2007 3:06AM
Love, love, love this. I like cars that are visually interesting without resorting to nostalgia.
This car, though, is WAY smaller than it looks. Think Honda Fit length. Still, can't wait to test drive one.
Yggdrasilly @ Oct 31st 2007 10:48AM
It's Caspar the Friendly CUV!
big L @ Oct 31st 2007 11:12AM
Well, creating an unusual concept is OK.But it is kind of jarring.
Lemmiwinks @ Oct 31st 2007 3:04PM
Looks like the offspring of a Mini and a Scion.
Rick @ Nov 1st 2007 1:19PM
Did Scion work on that roof? Meh. I don't understand the chopped straight roof concept. Otherwise, the car isn't half bad until you look at the roof and wonder why the car as a whole doesn't flow.