Car Statistics: Kia - Soul Series 09 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

Tall and boxy doesn't sound like a recipe for sexy, but in a curious way that's what the Soul is. It can be sexier still with the Samba, Shaker and Burner versions. The interior is lightly original, too.

Handling (3 stars)

Sport car maker Lotus has fine-tuned the Soul for Britain's battered roads, and the result is a car that deals with corners tidily enough considering its height. This is not a sporty drive, but it does the job.

Comfort (4 stars)

The Soul's suspension is quite firm, successfully preventing this tall car from roll in bends, and if the pay-back is a firm ride, it rarely turns uncomfortable. Road roar is an issue of coarse roads though.

Quality (4 stars)

Though attractively styled the interior finish is more about durability than luxury, and appears well assembled. Kia's have a sound reputation for reliability, underpinned by an excellent five year warranty.

Performance (3 stars)

The petrol version is a bit plodding but does the job, and sound fairly smooth doing it. The diesel is the better buy, with its more substantial pulling power, and its pretty civilised with it. A shame neither version has six-speeds.

Roominess (5 stars)

For passengers, the Soul is superb at this price, not only providing ample space up front but truly generous space in the rear. Oddments storage is good, and the boot decent, if less impressive than the cabin.

Costs (4 stars)

The Soul's individuality ought to ensure good used values, as should its five year warranty, and both engines manage over 50mpg, the diesel good for 60mpg. Servicing costs should be low too.

Value (4 stars)

You pay more than you'd expect for a supermini-class Kia, but, you are getting exceptional space, funky styling and bigger-than average engines. Equipment includes a potent stereo, air conditioning, central locking, four electric windows, six airbags and a five year warranty.

Stereo (4 stars)

Four stars for the stereo, which is above average in the standard car and almost spectacular further up the range, what with 315 watts of power and a club-like lighting system on some versions. But sat nav is unavailable.