Article Comments - 2010 Kia Soul First Drive and Full Test

70 messages, Last post on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:34 PM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Soul, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Hatchback

2010 Kia Soul First Drive - First Impressions: Finally and quite fittingly, a Kia with some soul. (more)

2010 Kia Soul Full Test and Video - Bottom Line: Fashion sense is everything in a funky hatchback and the Soul has it. But we're more attracted to this box's driving dynamics, which are among the best in this class. (more)

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#51 of 70 Re: Soul No Deal [borgward1] by cruzdreamer May 14, 2009 (1:14 pm)
Replying to: borgward1 (May 14, 2009 10:14 am) Ok...so what does that mean? Does a solid beam axle affect handling??? Please expand on that..Thanks Replies to this message: borgward1 (May 14, 2009 7:56 pm) jyym (Jun 18, 2009 2:19 pm)
#52 of 70 Re: Soul No Deal [borgward1] by jaxs1 May 14, 2009 (7:32 pm)
Replying to: borgward1 (May 14, 2009 10:14 am) Ridiculous reason if you really would buy it otherwise. Replies to this message: borgward1 (May 14, 2009 8:03 pm) jaxs1 (May 14, 2009 8:32 pm)
#53 of 70 Re: Soul No Deal [cruzdreamer] by borgward1 May 14, 2009 (7:56 pm)
Replying to: cruzdreamer (May 14, 2009 1:14 pm) Yes a solid beam significantly affects handling in a negative way, especially on any pavement less than perfectly flat. In addition, as compared to independent rear suspension, a solid beam has a lot more unsprung weight. You don't see any formula one cars w/a beam axle. A beam axle is Model T technology. With a sold beam you will either have soft springs and a wallowing kind of handling, or stiff springs with a bumpy ride. A solid beam is a cheap way of building a car. For a better explanation, read Colin Chapman's "Sports Car Design"
#54 of 70 Re: Soul No Deal [jaxs1] by borgward1 May 14, 2009 (8:03 pm)
Replying to: jaxs1 (May 14, 2009 7:32 pm) Not really. If the Soul sold for $7000, you might be right. If the Soul goes in the $10,000 to $20,000 range, you are not getting your moneys worth. Replies to this message: jaxs1 (May 14, 2009 8:32 pm)
#55 of 70 Re: Soul No Deal [borgward1] by jaxs1 May 14, 2009 (8:32 pm)
Replying to: borgward1 (May 14, 2009 8:03 pm) The reviews say it handles pretty well. Obviously, it has not been a problem and it is in a pretty low price range compared to most cars. There are some things I don't like about the Soul like 4-speed automatic (it's ironic that cars with little engines that could really use a 6-speed automatic have 4-speeds and they put 6 and 7 speed automatics in V6 and V8 cars that could get by very well with a 4 speed). I also want to see if it gets good crash ratings and doesn't have a weak air conditioning system, but this suspension issue is not a big issue.
#56 of 70 No Deal by borgward1 May 15, 2009 (5:17 am)
It may not be a big issue to you. If you are happy w/how it handles, that can not be argued with. If it sticks to to the road, it is because it has stiff springs or shocks or both. The trade off is a bumpy ride on anything less than a perfect surface. It is not a good deal with a solid rear beam. There is no excuse for having a solid rear beam axle in this day and time, especially in a front wheel drive car. It would be somewhat understandable if the Soul had rear wheel drive, as an independent rear suspension would require a complicated set of axles and u joints. Again, if you are happy, that is fine, but for anybody else, it is a big deal. What is it going to sell for? Replies to this message: jaxs1 (May 15, 2009 7:29 pm)
#57 of 70 Re: No Deal [borgward1] by jaxs1 May 15, 2009 (7:29 pm)
Replying to: borgward1 (May 15, 2009 5:17 am) I have yet to see a review saying the Soul doesn't handle well. The main reason it has a torsion beam rear axles is for cargo room. There is much more rear cargo room in the Soul than there would have been with the strut towers from IRS. People would have been complaining about lack of rear space otherwise. In these very small cars, the extra space gained can easily make the difference between certain objects fitting inside or not. At the rear, the Soul suspension is also sub-frame mounted and employs a transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms, designed to deliver a smooth ride and to ensure the minimum intrusion into the trunk space. The coil springs and dampers are mounted separately to ensure smooth operation and minimal intrusion into the cabin/trunk space. In addition, ‘third generation’ hub bearings improve durability and urethane bump stops improve refinement. To optimise use of space, the rear anti-roll stabiliser bar is mounted inside the torsion beam. Nitrogen gas-filled shock absorbers, tuned to best suit specific market requirements, are standard fit for both the front and rear suspension systems for optimal damping performance and body control. The Honda Fit also has a similar type or rear suspension setup because the Fit is all about space efficiency. It will list for between $14K base model and $19K maxed out top trim.
#58 of 70 No Deal by borgward1 May 16, 2009 (8:24 am)
$14K plus is way too much for solid beam rear axle. There are many ways to accomplish IRS w/out compromising space constraints. I trust Edmund's reviews, but nobody is perfect. What is the criterion for "good" handling? Clearly the handling is not excellent. Do you work for Kia or are financially involved with Kia in any way? Replies to this message: jaxs1 (May 16, 2009 9:20 am)
#59 of 70 Re: No Deal [borgward1] by jaxs1 May 16, 2009 (9:20 am)
Replying to: borgward1 (May 16, 2009 8:24 am) The Honda Fit is in the same price range and has a similar type rear suspension and there is no handling problem with the Honda Fit either. It's not as if they're leaf springs form a 70's pickup. This is what they do for space efficiency and to keep the price from going higher. I don't work for Kia and I probably won't get a Kia Soul but having this type of suspension is not the reason why not. Too many reviews say the Soul is noisy on the highway and I will probably do a lot of highway driving, so this will be an issue for me. If they add a 6 speed automatic and make other improvements in the next year or two, I'll give the Soul more consideration at that time. I want good fuel economy and good cargo space without having to deal with a noisy ride. I am more likely to get a new Fiesta or next generation Focus or even a new Prius if I want hatchback space and I'll also consider a next generation Camry 4 cylinder or Camry Hybrid with fold down rear seat if I decide I can live with less cargo carrying space. I want a 5 or 6 speed automatic for relaxed highway cruising and more sound insulation than you get with a Kia Soul.
#60 of 70 Focus Deal by borgward1 May 16, 2009 (3:21 pm)
IMHO a solid beam rear axle is a deal breaker, unless the price was way cheap, and then I would still probably not enjoy driving it. A focus is probably what I would drive if I was in the market. I am not affiliated w/Ford. All I can say to the other folks reading this is walk away from anything having a solid beam rear axle. Replies to this message: jaxs1 (May 16, 2009 3:46 pm) csandste (May 18, 2009 9:38 pm)