2017 Kia Soul (facelift) launched in South Africa

Kia's sub-compact crossover gets its mid-cycle update.

The 2017 Kia Soul that was introduced at the 2017 Paris Motor Show in September last year has reached the South African shores. The facelift brings updated design, new engine and some other revisions to the crossover.

Beginning with the design, the 2017 Kia Soul features remodelled bumpers with metallic skid plate, revised tiger-nose grille that looks slightly more aggressive, tweaked headlamps and new design rear fog lamps. On the SMART grade, the LED daytime running lights have moved to the bottom of the light, and there are new design alloy wheels.

Like the exterior, the interior of the 2017 Kia Soul sees minimal changes with the facelift. The base START grade features a unique redesigned cloth upholstery, while the STREET and SMART grades retain the black leather interior with contrasting stitching detail. Kia has introduced new gloss black and metallic highlights and switchgear, though.

The 2017 Kia Soul is available with a new 1.6-litre U2 CRDi turbocharged diesel engine that produces 94 kW (126.01 hp) at 4,000 rpm and 260 Nm of torque between 1,900 rpm and 2,750 rpm. Power is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission.  This model is priced at R3,29,995 (INR 15,70,835.83).

Also See: 2017 Kia Picanto – Geneva Motor Show Live

Other options include the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that develops 91 kW (121.98 hp) and 152 Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine good for 116 kW (155.50 hp) and 192 Nm of torque and the 1.6-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 100 kW (134.05 hp) and 300 Nm of torque.