The Kia Soul surely didn’t need a refresh. With more than 10,000 units flying out of showrooms each month and a growing list of awards and accolades under its belt, the Korean automaker’s boxiest compact is a success story regardless of the angle.
Yet, after just two model years, Kia has invested significantly in its little four-door. Emerging at the 2011 New York Auto Show earlier this year was this considerably updated 2012 Soul sporting a freshened look, innovative new technology and two new powertrains.
These aren’t maneuvers from an automaker scrambling to play catch-up. Rather, these are the actions of a company not satisfied with being merely competitive in this important youthful segment. Kia doesn’t want to play. Kia wants to win.
Last week, we crossed the expansive Pacific Ocean to get an early drive of the vehicle that promises to leave many Scion xB, Nissan Cube and Honda Fit engineers flustered – scratching their scalps – wondering how to close the gap.
Two things have developed in the last decade: The compact segment has finally spawned vehicles we want to drive and Kia is no longer an automotive punchline. So why, when listing off top-notch C-segment vehicles like the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, does the Kia Forte rarely make the cut?
It’s packing everything compact buyers are looking for, including a fuel efficient drivetrain and loads of tech and amenities that used to be reserved for far pricier models – just like the rest of the pack. What’s more, it’s useable in five-door form and can carry an MSRP that’s over $ 1,000 less than the competition.
So why no love for the Forte? We spent a week with the new-for-2011 Forte SX 5-Door to find out.
Six Speed Kia Cerato Review
The Six Speed Kia Cerato 1.6 engine is the best Kia category. With aluminum block, 16 valves and dual control variable in the admission, this is the most powerful nation in the cylinder for sale: 126 hp, with 15.9 lb.-ft. of torque.
Nothing against the smooth five-speed manual gearbox. There was a “hole” between the changes incorporated in the troubled and left undecided in the transmission increases – was ranging between 3rd and 4th gears. Because Kia has solved the problem with a new six-speed exchange, automatic and manual versions.
In the manual model, the Kia Cerato was even more ingenious – sometimes even looks like a 1.6. As the engine yields better at high rpm (peak torque comes at 4,200 rpm), the exchange rate more closely related to each other makes the propeller “stuff” faster. Couplings remain accurate, and seem even shorter. If the old version was fine five-speed (10.8 s plunged from 000 to 100 mph in our test), the new must further improve that mark. And not just performance. The sixth gear also did the engine work harder loose on the road. A 120 km / h, the rotation fell from 3,500 rpm to around 3,000 rpm. This helps reduce noise and also consumption – which is a result of the Kia Cerato.
Turning to the automatic car, the improvement in behaviour is even more sensitive. Now just a slight pressure on the gas exchange for a lower gear, whereas before we had to breakaway. The exchanges were even more discreet, and sedan gained greater scope when overtaking. It was what was needed for the Cerato turn even more competitive in the segment.
Another improvement over 2009 Kia Cerato, the side door won lining fabric and the panel now brings you the top of rubbery plastic. Moreover, banks had assessed the car with soft top quality. Together, these changes have improved the environment of the sedan, previously considered too simple for the category. Drive the Kia Cerato and feel experience with Korean Vehicle.
