Officially Official: Kia Soul coming to U.S. in April 2009
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 25th 2008 at 1:58PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Kia Soul.
In April of 2009, the Scion xB will finally get some stiff competition from Kia in the form of the Soul. As reported previously, the new model will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, measuring 161 inches long, 70 inches wide and 63 inches tall. According to Automotive News, the Soul will be packing either a 1.6- or 2.0-liter gasoline engine powering the front wheels when it arrives in the States, while European consumers get a choice of a 1.6-liter gasoline or diesel engine.
In addition to aping the xB's boxy shape, Kia will be offering a similar line of customization parts to make each Soul unique, so expect a variety of accessories, options and color combinations inspired by the Soul Burner, Diva and Searcher concepts that debuted in Geneva. Pricing has yet to be announced, but if Kia expects to compete with Scion, the Soul won't be knocking on the $20k ceiling.
Gallery: 2009 Kia Soul
Gallery: Geneva 2008: Kia SOUL concepts
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
P.V. 2:02PM (7/25/2008)
Is the Soul based off of the Rio or off of the Spectra/Forte?
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tanooki2003 2:51PM (7/25/2008)
It will be based off of the Spectra/Forte platform so there will be plenty of passenger room.
Bob-omb 10:22AM (7/26/2008)
I'm no expert, but the last I heard was that it would be based on a new subcompact platform, which will underpin the next Rio/Accent. Are we sure it's based on the Forte now?
Kotse 1:01PM (7/26/2008)
"The Kia Soul sits on a modified Rio platform and will be the front wheel drive vehicle only. At 4,105 mm (161-in) in length and 1,785 mm (70,3-in) in width it has grown in size compared to Rio hatch. Although it has compact overall dimensions, the Soul features an exceptionally long (for its size) wheelbase of 2550 mm. The up to 18-inch wheels are placed at the body corners.."
http://www.kia-world.net/index.php/2008/07/16/official-soul-images-hit-the-web-along-with-engine-details/
TriShield 2:07PM (7/25/2008)
So when will we see the Chinese xB in the States? ven GM had an xB ripoff concept for Chevrolet and Ford makes a biggie sized one. Maybe Toyota was onto something afterall.
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azzo45 5:12PM (7/25/2008)
Companies tend to COPY the guys with 43 billion in cash reserves & soon to be the world's #1 auto maker.
Kinda like networks & the reality TV concept. First one then multipe copies on every channel (network & cable... hell public access!!!)
:)
Jerk Face 2:08PM (7/25/2008)
Anyone besides me hate how every single photo put out by auto makers these days is so heavily digitized that it doesn't even look like a real car?
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MBS 3:58PM (7/25/2008)
Err... That would be because it's a computer rendering (a drawing) and not a real photo.
MechEng 4:10PM (7/25/2008)
A lot of them are not real pictures merely really good cad drawings. These appear to be an example of that.
azzo45 5:31PM (7/25/2008)
CATIA or ALIAS... not CAD. Designers (styling) usually use a combo of ALIAS, Photoshop, or Studio Paint.
Glamor shots used in catalogs always were retouched & stylized "fake" looking light sources & horizon lines. IMO this has that same "fake" feel... just cheaper than the old school photo shoots.
Taloras 2:09PM (7/25/2008)
More boxes: just what the doctor ordered.
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Robbie Paramor 2:10PM (7/25/2008)
What happened to the cool suicide doors and the pillarless coupe look, I was seriously going to buy that ... but this is just another compromised box on wheels, I feel cheated!!!
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XJ 2:28PM (7/26/2008)
Ask for your money that you haven't spent back.
Shotgunner 2:17PM (7/25/2008)
Call this an xB ripoff if you want, but I really like it. I can't see myself ever being in the market for one, but it's just great to look at. Whereas the new xB makes me want to jam a fork in my eye.
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Declan Moran 2:58PM (7/25/2008)
I'm entirely in agreement about this vehicle, looks good, not for me, someone kill scion please
huisj 2:24PM (7/25/2008)
I keep seeing a wrapped up and disguised one of these driving around in East Lansing, MI. I saw it on Grand River yesterday, I saw it on Michigan a couple days ago, and I saw it on I-96 near Williamston a week or so ago. Kind of interesting looking.
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jsjs 2:26PM (7/25/2008)
And the xB (as well as the Element) was a rip-off of the Nissan Cube's original boxy shape (if we are going to give credit for "originality" - let's give credit where credit is due).
I agree - the concept was tres cool, but I guess practicality reared its (ugly) head again (but it's still better looking than the xB).
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Gregg 2:46PM (7/25/2008)
Almost any small car is better looking than the second generation Xb. Like adding hundreds of pounds, a thirstier engine and greater length with no interior increase was a good idea, Toyota.
Travis 11:52PM (7/25/2008)
yup. this is what the xB (2nd gen) *should* have been. small, quirky, with a small fuel efficient engine.
Jeff 5:13AM (8/01/2008)
This thing is more of an xD copy and not so much an xB. Should be interesting how it does against the new Cube coming to the states. I'm just glad I have an original xB "Box" car.