Current Kia Soul May Gain 200 HP Turbo, All-Wheel Drive for Next-Gen Model

The Kia Soul looks like it was styled after an SUV (which

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by Andrei Nedelea

September 18, 2014 at 18:33

The Kia Soul looks like it was styled after an SUV (which it was), but in actual fact, it’s just like any other city-oriented hatchback – only taller and boxier. These last two qualities put it in a niche of its own, especially in the States. It never got all-wheel drive, not even optionally, nor has it ever been a thriller to drive.

However, MotorTrend reports that Kia has some changes in store for the current shape Soul – it wants to give it a sportier edge with the firm’s 201 hp 1.6-liter turbo engine, uprated suspension and bigger brakes.

Apparently, this model was supposed to have debuted by the end of this year, but setbacks now mean we should see it sometime in 2015.

For the next-gen Soul, the same source article says the manufacturer has all-wheel drive planned. It won’t be standard, but it will be optionally available, as per the request of so many buyers of the current model. This will broaden its spectrum of rivals to include ones that also offer it – Jeep Renegade, Chevy Trax (Opel/Vauxhall Mokka) or the Nissan Juke, among others.