A week in the 2010 Kia Soul: Day 6 (driving the base model)

The cheapest 2010 Kia Soul doesn't have as many cosmetic decorations, as many features, or as much power as the Soul
Sport model, but it's still decently equipped at just $14,090. See more photos of the Soul Base in below the article in
today's slideshow.

The 2010 Kia Soul Sport that's been spending the week with the DC Car Examiner has all the boxes checked. It has a power sunroof, Bluetooth phone connectivity, alloy wheels, foglights, lighted cupholders, a spoiler, and all the usual power and safety features, including electronic stability control.

That Soul has a sticker price of over $18,000, a bit much for a subcompact car. 

But the Base model, which stickers at just over $14,000 with the factory floormat package, keeps most of the pricey car's virtues and even improves over it in a few ways. It even keeps the air conditioning, power windows and locks, and USB input, plus all the safety features, as standard equipment. 

Consumers focused on the Soul's appearance might not be too keen on the black plastic trim that adorns the car, nor its drab hubcaps. But the Soul Base compares favorably to other subcompact five-door for shoppers shopping price and practicality. 

First caveat: the cheapest Soul comes only with a stickshift, a five-speed manual that's a tad looser in feel than the Soul Sport's unit. The cheapest Soul with an automatic transmission will run an extra $2,500, though that "Soul +" model also includes such features as alloy wheels and cruise control. 

Second caveat: the cheapest Soul comes only with a much smaller engine than all other models, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that with 122 horsepower is down 20 hp from the 2.0-liter in the rest of the Soul lineup. 

Third caveat: the cheapest Soul's skinny tires don't have the same grip as the higher-spec versions, reducing its cornering limits. 

But if you've survived this many caveats, the Soul Base isn't a bad choice. The 1.6-liter's unwillingness to rev keeps acceleration poky but also keeps the engine quieter in its early gears than the 2.0-liter Soul. It is also rated for better gas mileage: 26 miles per gallon in the city rather than 24, and 31 on the highway rather than 30. 

The small tires and comfort-tuned suspension also contribute to lower handling limits than the Soul Sport, but the ride is smoother, especially over low-speed bumps like the Kia dealership's cratered parking lot, and the Soul Base still feels small-car agile. (Neither is outright sporty.)

Inside, the Soul Base (and most other Soul models) has gray cloth seats and gray plastics. This is not notable compared to the average subcompact car, but the Soul Sport has a mix of black and bright red that one of my passengers has likened to a "bad 1960s track suit." Someone that turned off by the Soul Sport's decor still has other options from Kia. 

(The Soul Sport's red-glowing speakers, however, are exclusive to that model. Drivers can choose among several settings for the speakers; see the "mood" setting below:)

One nod to red in the base Soul came in an unexpected place: the glovebox, which jumps out from the otherwise subdued dash but shouldn't offend anyone's sensibilities. 

But despite its added value, ride quality, and gas mileage, don't forget that the cheapest Soul does give up some power and refinement. 

The Soul Base's midrange power and refinement is similarly acceptable but unexceptional compared to the 2.0, but the lack of extra power is more evident on the highway. At 60 miles per hour, the Soul Sport's engine is turning at 2500 rpm, whereas the Soul Base is at 3000. The Soul Sport's highway noise comes more from wind rush and road rumble than engine drone -- the Soul Base's engine is the dominant soundtrack at speed. You can step up to the peppier 2.0-liter in the Soul + for $1,650, with a few extra features included, and keep most of the ride comfort and value advantages while giving up some value and gas mileage. 

All Souls share a spacious, comfortable, and decent-quality interior, a long warranty, and newly-announced top safety scores, which makes the Soul Base a solid bargain if you don't mind giving up a few things. 

Check back for more information on the 2010 Kia Soul over the coming days, and please ask any questions you have about the car in the comments section below or by sending an e-mail to dc.car.examiner@gmail.com. See more photos of the Soul Base in today's slideshow, and see the Soul Sport's photo slideshows in the first two articles listed below.

Day 1:  Introduction
Day 2:  Seats, cargo, interior details, visibility
Day 4:  City driving
Day 5:  Ride, acceleration, handling
Day 6:  Driving the base model