Kia Soul facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Kia Soul

Overview
Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Production	2008–present
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover SUV (B-CUV)
Body style	5-door CUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

The Kia Soul is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-door subcompact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed worldwide by Kia Motors and now in its third generation. It is based on the Hyundai i20 and Kia Venga's platform.

Designed at Kia's design center in California, the Soul debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and is manufactured in South Korea. Since 2014, Kia has marketed an electric variant as the Soul EV in North and Central America as well as Europe.

The Soul is available with 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol engines and a 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine.

The Soul concept was styled by Mike Torpey in early 2005. As a new member of Kia's Design Team in Irvine, California, Torpey was sent to Kia Korea to brainstorm a new vehicle. After seeing a television documentary on wild boars and learning of their importance in Korean culture, Torpey sketched a caricature of a boar wearing a backpack.

The New York Times reported "the boar’s attitude of strength and capability was the image he wanted for a new model aimed at hip urban youths."