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Facelifted Kia Soul and Carens now on sale

Kia has announced full pricing for its 2017 Soul crossover and Carens compact MPV as the facelifted models go on sale.Revealed at the Paris Motor Show, both models bring revised exterior and interior styling, updated connectivity systems and improvements in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The restructured Soul range now consists of grades 1, 2, 3 and Sport, bringing it closer into line with every other model in the Kia portfolio. The all-new Sport version is powered by a 201bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch (7-DCT) automatic transmission. Pricing starts at £13,995, with the Soul Sport introduced at £23,250.

Standard features across the range include USB and AUX ports, Flex Steer variable power-assisted steering (except Sport), keyless entry, air conditioning, all-round electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment.

The Urban Styling Pack that was previously an option is now standard with additional items.  Details include a new lower front grille and foglights section, roof rails and new 16-inch (grade 1) and 17-inch (grade 2) alloys wheels. Multi-focus reflector headlamps continue to feature on grade 1, while grades 2 and 3 have new projection headlamps with black interior bezels.

The all-new Soul Sport brings bespoke styling, with a skid plate, red detailing, a rear bumper with diffuser trim and twin exhaust tailpipes, xenon headlights and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels as well as a bespoke interior design. It is available in Quartz Black, Titanium Silver and new Wild Orange metallic paint finishes.

The 2017 Soul offers full connectivity with upgraded navigation and multimedia services on grades 2 and above. Kia Connected Services with TomTom is offered with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay once the system has been paired with a compatible smartphone. There is a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display and 3D maps with SD upgrades.

Grades 1 and 2 are offered with a 130bhp 1.6-litre GDi petrol while 2 and 3 have the choice of a 134bhp 1.6 CRDi turbodiesel engine with six-speed manual or 7-DCT transmission.

Average fuel consumption on the 1.6-litre GDi has been improved to 43.5mpg, with CO2 emissions now down to 152g/km.

Manual versions of the CRDi diesel have combined fuel consumption of 58.8mpg with CO2 emissions lowered to 127g/km, while the figures for the DCT have been improved to 56.5mpg and 130g/km.

The 201bhp T-GDi engine in the Sport model has combined fuel consumption of 40.9mpg, while CO2 emissions are 156g/km.

The revised Carens range is also now on sale, priced from £18,995 to £27,790.

Available in trim grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, the upgraded 2017 model features new front and rear bumpers, new front grilles, new front fog lights on all but the entry-level version and new rear combination lamps. The trademark Kia ‘tiger-nose’ main grille has been made wider and there are new 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels on all grades.

The interior brings new seat materials and the centre fascia has been redesigned to accommodate the new 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen for the navigation, infotainment and connectivity system.

The 2017 Carens is fully connected through Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom. This is standard from grade 2. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Carens is available with a choice of three direct-injection engines – one petrol and two turbodiesels. The 133bhp 1.6-litre GDi direct-injection petrol offers combined fuel economy of 45.6mpg while CO2 emissions are 143g/km.

The 1.7-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine is available with either 114bhp or 134bhp. The standard version now emits only 109g/km of CO2 (previously 117g/km) while fuel consumption improves by a 7.1mpg to 67.2mpg. The corresponding figures for more powerful option are 118g/km and 62.8mpg. This unit is also available with a seven-speed double-clutch (7-DCT) automatic gearbox, with highly impressive economy and emissions figures of 58.9mpg and 127g/km.

Kia’s Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop-start system is standard on all models.

Standard features include projection headlights with cornering lamps, LED daytime running lamps, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, air con, steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control with a speed limiter and Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.