Updated! Review: Kia Soul

Debuting at midyear as an early 2010 entry, the Kia Soul is a boxy urban-hip compact wagon along the lines of the Scion xB and the also-new Nissan Cube. Not completely square, it features a roofline that slopes upward slightly toward the front to maximize cabin space for the driver and front passenger, and to afford a higher SUV-like seating position for a greater visual command of the road. Our tester came in a Clear White exterior color, which made the Kia Soul, particularly from the stylized front end, look the the vehicular equivalent of a Star Wars Stormtrooper.

Inside, the Kia Soul's boxy profile was offset with more-flowing rounded shapes. There was plenty of front head, leg and shoulder room, with sufficient space in the rear for two small adults or three kids. Seats were generally comfortable and supportive, though were affected by a distracting "Soul" logo pattern at the tops of the seatbacks. The rear seat folds flat on a 60:40-split basis to create a particularly large and square cargo area, which could easily accommodate an off-to-college move or a day's worth of antiquing.

Performance-wise the Kia Soul roughly follows the automaker's compact Spectra sedan (soon to be replaced by an all-new model, the Forte), which means it's well-controlled and lively enough not to be a penalty box, but remains far from being overtly sporty. Ride and handling were acceptable, though the rear suspension on our tester had a tendency to land with a thump going over speed bumps and potholes. Ours was a Kia Soul Plus, which came with a peppy 142-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a workman-like four-speed automatic transmission. The base model comes with a slower 122-hp 1.6-liter version and a five-speed manual standard.

With a starting price at $13,300, the Kia Soul is an undeniably good deal. Ours stickered at just under $16,000, but came with everything including keyless entry and cruise control. It also included the optional $800 sunroof and a $400 upgraded audio system that included (we kid you not) light-up speakers in the front door that would throb to the beat.

UPDATE: We recently drove the top-of-the-line Soul Sport model, which comes with oversized wheels and performance tires, a sports suspension and assorted cosmetic upgrades; ours came with a manual gearbox and stickered at around $18,000 (we've seen them configured for in excess of $19K). Unlike the lesser versions, however, we're not as fond of the Sport, which rides considerably rougher as a trade off for what is only nominally more-tenacious handling. With the temptation to push this model harder, the engine only feels slow and loud. The sloppy stick shift does little to enhance the driving experience. While it boasts sporting pretensions, it's more of a pretender than a competitor.

Review: Volvo XC70

Redesigned for the 2008 model year, the Volvo XC70 wants buyers to believe it’s an SUV, but it’s really a station wagon under the skin, albeit a pretty good one. It’s essentially a repackaged V70 wagon with added ride height, standard all-wheel drive and specific body cladding that butches-up the look somewhat.

As with the V70, the Volvo XC70 shares platforms and components with the S80 sedan. While it doesn’t offer that model’s V8 engine, it performs adequately with its standard 235-hp 3.2-liter inline-six-cylinder powerplant. (A more powerful 281-hp turbocharged version is offered in the costlier T6 version.) While the engine generates a throaty exhaust note, it’s no speed demon, but it operates smoothly and should be sufficient for most buyers. A six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission is the Volvo XC70’s only available gearbox; it works flawlessly and includes a manual-shift function.

While the Volvo XC70 is not capable of serious off-roading, a standard “Instant Traction” all-wheel-drive system makes it a foul-weather friend, though we didn’t get a chance to test its mettle on wet pavement. Volvo’s Dynamic Stability Traction Control system is standard and helps keep the vehicle's wheels from spinning and/or prevents a loss of control during extreme or emergency maneuvers. Also included is Hill Descent Control, which makes traversing steep downhill grades at low speeds safer and easier.

Overall, the Volvo XC70 handles the curves better than most any bona fide SUV, thanks to a rigid underlying structure and a four-wheel independent suspension. Still, there’s little about the XC70 that encourages a motorist to drive overly aggressively. The ride is smooth under normal circumstances, but it can get downright bouncy over pockmarked pavement and speed bumps and can get unnerved jouncing over repeated potholes.

Inside, the Volvo XC70 is fairly conservative in its design. The dashboard is well laid out with a sweeping and simple look with Volvo’s now trademark center stack of controls and aluminum appointments. Ours came with the optional wood trim which was flat finished rather than so shiny as to look artificial; it was nicely understated in that regard, but isn’t necessarily something we’d pay extra for.

The Volvo XC70 affords ample seat travel to allow six-foot-plus motorists to comfortably stretch their legs while behind the wheel, though adjustable pedals aren’t offered to benefit shorter drivers. Unfortunately, legroom isn’t as generous for the front seat passenger. While we easily found a comfort zone on the left side, we felt cramped on the right.

Cargo space is huge, with a nice 40/20/40 split-fold back seat, but the Volvo XC90 could use more rear legroom – it can get tight back there even for the kids sitting behind taller parents. A segmented storage area hidden under the cargo floor is handy for storing smaller items out of sight.

Our tester included a modicum of options, which included heated leather seats, a premium audio system, sunroof and adaptive headlamps (which automatically pivot to light the way through curves, it still stickered at around $44,000, which seems pricey. And while ours wasn’t so equipped, safety-minded motorists can drive the cost even higher by choosing the optional Collision Warning with Brake Support system (it works in tandem with an also optional laser-guided adaptive cruise control system and warns the driver if the XC70 is closing in too quickly on another vehicle or other obstruction; if it calculates that a collision is possible, the system will automatically move the brake pads up against the discs and prepare full braking pressure in anticipation of a panic stop). What’s more, an available Blind Spot Information System signals when another vehicle in close proximity that the driver not otherwise notice.

In all, the Volvo XC70 is a bit livelier than the typical family wagon or SUV, but is outclassed by European sport wagons from the likes of Audi and BMW. Still, it has its appeal, and makes for a civilized, practical and reasonably entertaining family ride.