Kia Motors popular urban passenger vehicle, the all-new 2014 Soul, has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 5-Star overall safety rating. With its extensive list of standard safety features and use of high-tensile steel, Soul earned five stars in the frontal and side impact tests and four stars in the roll-over test. Starting at $14,7001, the Soul offers families fun and funky design with loads of available features at a great value.
“Soul’s 5-star safety rating speaks to Kia’s commitment to our customers. Our vehicles combine top-level safety with iconic design, world-class quality and, of course, the outstanding value for which our brand is well known,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “We took a great deal of care with the design and engineering of the second-generation Soul, and NHTSA’s testing has validated that effort.”
An impressive 66 percent of the all-new Soul’s chassis utilizes either Ultra High Strength Steel (35 percent) or High Strength Steel (31 percent). The 2014 model offers consumers invaluable protection in the form of standard safety features and technology, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, full-length side curtain air bags) and a four-channel, four-sensor Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution and applies the appropriate stopping force to improve control and stability. Additional standard safety equipment for Soul includes Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a Traction Control System (TCS).
In conjunction with the ABS, the TCS uses brake and engine torque intervention to enhance traction during launch and acceleration on slippery road surfaces. If the ABS system detects wheel slip, it signals the engine control unit to adjust torque output accordingly. TCS also senses when one or more wheels spin faster than the vehicle’s speed, and if necessary, applies the brakes accordingly. Working together, the two systems limit wheel spin and help the driver maintain control.
Working with the standard ABS with EBD and TCS, the ESC system can apply individual brakes selectively to help control oversteer and understeer as needed to help the driver maintain control on slippery surfaces or during certain emergency maneuvers.
The Base Soul comes standard with a long list of features that set it apart from the competition. Power windows, door locks and heated outside mirrors, a telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker AM/FM/MP3 audio unit are all standard. Bluetooth® hands-free wireless technology2, SiriusXM satellite radio3 with three months complimentary service and USB/AUX inputs round out the Base Soul’s impressive audio/infotainment equipment. Desirable options include remote keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and a six-speed automatic transmission.
