2012 Kia Soul Facelift Unveiled

Kia’s popular box-shaped car has received a facelift and has arrived packed with design changes and a few interior trim improvements. The main change introduced by the refreshed exterior of the car, which was recently unveiled in New York, is the introduction of LED daytime running lights, but there’s also new colors and a redesigned fascia.

The 2012 model also gets a new 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The unit produces 135 hp, 11 more than the previous generation, but is also able do deliver up to 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Customers looking for a bit more grunt under the bonnet should opt for the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant produces 160 horsepower (a 13 percent increase in horsepower from the previous engine).

"After just two model years, we've given the 2012 Soul significant improvements in power, style and fuel economy, making this iconic vehicle the perfect package for consumers looking for something a little outside the box," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.

"The Soul has always stood out from the crowd and is responsible for bringing new customers to the Kia brand and positioning the company for a series of record-breaking successes. With gas prices on the rise, this mid-cycle refresh adds even more style and fun-to-drive performance to the vehicle that started our design-led transformation while also improving fuel economy by 10 percent,” the Kia VP adds.

Standard safety features that are common on all Kias include Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).