ANTICIPATION: Kia Soul
 

(Companion thread for "ANTICIPATION: Nissan Cube.")

Some more boxy brethren for our little square cars.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au...oul_450_01.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/16/m...led-in-london/

I have yet to see a single article where the upcoming Kia Soul is NOT compared favorably to our humble Scion xB. Similarly, I have yet to see an article that does not go to great lengths to specify "the ORIGINAL xB." Or, as we like to call it, "the one that's actually a box." {Or, simply, "the real one."}

I've also seen this thing classified as everything from a microcar to an SUV, something I haven't seen since our gen-1 boxes graced the showroom floors. Tthe gen 2's seem firmly stuck in "5-door-wagon" territory, but the Soul is proving difficult to classify, which I'm taking as a good sign.

The measurements look about right, too.

With Kia's steadily-improving market share and reliability scores, this may be another possible option for those of us who care more about mileage and interior space than "refinement," whatever the hell that means. IF THE TAILGATE GOES "WHANG" WHEN YOU SLAM IT, NEXT TIME DON'T CLOSE IT SO DAMN HARD.

Thoughts?

Is that coming here for sure? It looks more like competition for the xD.
It's also nice knowing we have the original "Box" car. The rest are just copycats. :P

that thing is ugly.

perfect!

Its still a F'in KIA! :loser:

everyone's going square now.

i just need to vent for a minute so bear with me guys. (deep breath)
has anyone heard funkmaster flex's views on the scion xb im sure some of you have . well if you havent he hates it he said its too boxy and funky for him. now we all know that flex is sponsored by ford and they have debuted there new , wait for it...............ford flex :loser: does anybody wanna just call up flex and ask him wtf is that thing :flame: why would you bash a car but then brand one that looks like a bigger version of it :tap: sorry i just needed to let that out guys thank you for your time :eyebrow: hey flex say hello to my little friend :gun:

flex's projects are usually ugly as fck...

I like the Kia, I can see many possibilties.

The Flex is not that bad, but its really BIG, and the price starts around $28,000. Yikes!
Even if the price was right, Im not sure about going american.

Is it me or does that bear an AWFULLY close resemblance to the xD... seriously, Kia...

Not bad, but still a Kia. Any thing you yell doing martial arts, just isn't cool. Unless it is used for martial arts.

^^LMAO

I was a Kia/Hyundai tech for like a year.. in '05.. I will say that the engine in these cars have come a long way, but the
cosmetics (interior/exterior, including all the features etc.,.).. well.. just be real carefull, and you'll be fine.. lol

I seen a interview with a Kia rep on this car.... He gave the xB props for changing the automotive world.... So respect on that, but the Kia blows. So does the Nissan Cube.

Scion FTW

its a messed up combination of an 08 xb, xd and cube

That Kia is ugly!

I do like the Cube - it's been around for as long as the bB (or close to it).

I've heard that Fiat (yes, Fiat) is supposed to start building its new 500 here in the states. Most likely marketed as its own brand - like the Mini.

I have always liked small cars and am glad to see anyone bringing anything interesting to the U.S. market. Seems Europe and Asia get the really cool cars.

He has no taste. :rofl:

How can anything be too funky for funkmaster flex? He's got funk in his name for god's sake.

a) the Flex is the punchline to a joke that Ford has been telling for decades, and IT'S NOT FUNNY. Comparisons to the xB are inevitable (and apparently required by law, based on how often they pop up), but they end at shape - the hefty Flex tips the scales at more than TWICE the weight of our diminuitive boxes. Yikes! Also, they run like crap and nobody wants one but your best friend's mom, and she's kind of an idiot anyway. (NOTE: I'M ASSUMING THAT FROM EVERY OTHER FORD I'VE EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH)

It's also the latest example of what our domestic companies are doing so very, very wrong. Gas prices are at historical highs, truck sales have tanked, and small cars are through the roof? YES, A BRAND-NEW GIGANTIC SUV, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD RIGHT THIS SECOND

b) The Truth About Cars.com has said it best: "If Toyota is the new GM, Hyundai is the new Toyota." Climbing reliability scores and MASSIVELY increased market shares have put Hyundai-Kia today where Toyota was 20 (or so?) years ago; while Toyota is steadily porking out their product lines, Hyundai is lucking out with the right cars at the right time.

Even half a decade ago, news that a classmate had purchased a Kia or a Hyundai was cause for a sympathy card, not for congratulations. But for those deciding between a Soul and a Gen 2, it'll be a hard decision to make: do you have a car that lasts for five years but has all the fun and visibility of a Gen1, or do you endure a decade of reliability in your soulless, skull-crushingly boring baby Highlander?

Obviously this is over-simplified (and obviously I would rather run over my own foot with an H2 than be seen in one of the fake xB's currently appearing - and STAYING - at Scion dealerships), but in a decade or so those of us who still value uniqueness are going to have to make some tough decisions. Toyota is known for thinking decades ahead - why not follow in their footsteps?

c) Fiat. HAHAHAHAHA. That is all.

d) I make it a policy not to listen to anyone with the word "funkmaster" in his or her name. I mean, you can pretty much just write anyone who meets that guideline as a f**king idiot right from the start. Plus, he basically admits it's too cool for him. Derr, sorry you're such a weenie - but that ain't MY fault, poser!
Also: anyone who does not immediately draw comparisons between the Flex and the first-gen xB is probably clinically retarded.

Damn it everyone is going boxy, soon it's not going to be special and different to own a boxy car...

It's weird too. I thought the idea was to get max MPG by cheating wind drag???
Don't matter to me cause we are the trend setters. It makes our xB's that much more desirable.