ALL TOO OFTEN, what we want is not what we need. What we need usually wins and what we want is impractical and over-priced. Of course there are some exceptions to that rule, and Kia is hoping it’s got one of them for us.

Kia drops its fresh and funky Soul onto an unsuspecting market right at a time when most other manufacturers are busily pulling bold designs in lieu of more staid volume sellers.

From concept to reality the Soul has kept its brash and ballsy styling. More tellingly though, Kia no longer just builds the kinds of cars people need, instead they’ve lunged straight for the ‘want’ factor.

Think you’ve got the hang of what Kia is all about? May we present to you the Soul, and ask you to guess again.

Styling

From time to time the planets align and someone, be it a noted design house or a backyard doodler, creates the kind of legendary form that doesn’t dull with age.

Of course, taste is purely subjective, but iconic designs as diverse as the Converse All-Star, Eames recliner, the Guggenheim Museum and even Alec Issigonis’ original Mini have all passed the test of time.

While the Soul certainly cuts an intriguing figure, does it belong in such esteemed company?

The short answer is no. While at first glance the eye-catching Kia Soul may look hotter than Prada’s summer collection, its time as a style icon will likely be short-lived.

As it stands though it offers something unique in the Australian market. Unapologetically bluff and boxy, the Soul almost looks like the caricature of a tough-guy with its solid base, pumped-up guards and blacked-out A and B pillars.

Up front, careful attention has been paid to the two-part head lamps, equipped on the Soul3 with rather butch looking ‘eyeliner’ treatment. From behind, the building-block style of the massive tail-lights looks both retro and modern.

The stand-alone ‘escape hatch’ style tailgate is another innovative touch. Also nifty is the raised flat surface in the centre of the bonnet which is a handy dress-up ‘canvas’ for Kia’s range of genuine accessory decal kits.

To top-off the look, the Soul3 sits atop 18-inch alloy rims. These lend an air of street cred to a body, which, despite its cubist inspiration, manages to look oddly athletic for a car. (Something, you’d reckon, a two-box silhouette simply shouldn’t be.)

Interior

All good things must come to an end. The eye-catching innovation that the Soul proudly wears on its sleeve from the outside almost vanishes as you climb aboard.

There are a few sexy little inclusions, and ticking a few boxes on the order form will ‘up the ante’ in the appearance stakes, but the car TMR tested came in uninspiring grey tones for the dash and seats.

One thing that doesn’t change though is the funky red-lit instrumentation as well as the split-watermelon style red lining for the glove-box and lidded bin above the stereo.

The adventurous can add either a Street Demon (red) or Retro Chic (beige) dash with matching seat trim, should a little added visual sting be required.

The added benefit of the Soul’s upright boxy shape is that accommodation is cavernous, especially given the car’s comparatively small footprint.

There’s plenty of room both front and rear with space for three across the rear bench. There is also plenty of space for knees and feet for all but the gargantuan (who’ll still have plenty of head-space in either row).

Sadly for all the cat-swinging room around the seats, they’re fairly flat. A lack of shape in any seat and no lumbar adjustment for the driver means long trips can become a little bit tiresome. Coupled with firm cushions, ‘numb-bum syndrome’ becomes a very real possibility.

Further back, cargo space is also deceptively roomy. Although the rear seats appear to be uncomfortably close to the tail gate, the surprising space available is useful in accommodating all manner of objects, with a multi-compartment under-floor storage tray a handy inclusion.

Equipment and Features

Like the Soul’s somewhat plain interior, the equipment list isn’t exactly bursting with innovation.

That’s not to say that the Soul is short-changed when it comes to gadgetry though. There’s still a decent list of comfort and safety items.

On the safety front, the Soul3 comes with six air-bags as well as four-wheel anti-skid disc brakes with brake-force distribution and electronic stability control to keep everything on track.

Inside, there are steering wheel audio controls linked to an eight-speaker audio system which includes a centre channel, subwoofer and 315 watt amplifier. It makes for impressive reading sure, however the top-end performance of the stereo is still a little lacking.

For the iPod equipped, linking the Soul via an optional multimedia cable also provides full iPod control through the head-unit and steering wheel, with all screen data repeated in the audio system display.

As an added wow factor there are mood-lit speakers in the front doors which can be set to stay on, pulse, or groove to your tunes. It certainly entertains passengers and best of all, it can be turned off which is particularly handy at night given the reflections the little suckers throw up.