Kia Soluto is all about being economical

The Kia Soluto is a subcompact sedan that offers a lot of value for money. It is a domestic car in the truest sense as it is built on practicality and efficiency.

The exterior design is modern, with a distinctive tiger-nose grille, LED daytime running lights, and 14-inch alloy wheels.

The body has some character lines and even non-functional air vents to give it a sleek appearance. Something that I immediately liked is the mechanism thatu allows the trunk to rise on its own when opened. This is extremely convenient, especially when your hands are occupied. It also comes with a spare tyre, which is very uncommon for new cars, even the luxury ones.

The Soluto is available in six colours: Clear White, Titanium Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Blue Stream, Mars Orange, and Gravity Blue.

The interior of the Kia Soluto is adequate and comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom that is okay for medium-height persons. For the most part, it is both simplistic and functional, nothing too exorbitant, and at the same time, it can get everything done. Controls for the window are unconventionally placed on the centre console and not on the door panels. Below this is a USB port, a 12V socket, and an AUX port. The seats are upholstered in fabric and have side bolsters that will keep the driver in place. As for the dial cluster, it is simple and intuitive, with a 3.8-inch LCD that displays important information such as fuel range, fuel level, and engine temperature. The Soluto also has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The audio system consists of four speakers and two tweeters that deliver a moderate sound.

The ride and handling of the Kia Soluto is smooth and stable, thanks to its MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and traffic due to its turning radius of 5.2 metre. The braking system is composed of disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) for enhanced safety.

The engine performance of the Kia Soluto is impressive for its class, with a 1.4-liter dual-CVVT gasolene engine that produces 95 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and power comes in at about 3500rpm. The Soluto has a fuel consumption rating of 15.4 km/L for the manual transmission and 14.8 km/L for the automatic transmission, which is quite economical for a sedan.

The Kia Soluto is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, practical, and affordable subcompact sedan. It has a stylish exterior design, a spacious and comfortable interior, and a decent audio system. Where driving is concerned, it handles smoothly and has an efficient engine performance.

Price of tested model:$3.795m

Engine: 1.4-litre engine

Horsepower: 95

Transmission: FWD

Fuel tank: 43 litre

Gas consumption: 7.7 l/ 100 km

Body Type: compact sedan

Competition: Toyota Yaris, Honda City, Mitsubishi Mirage

Vehicle courtesy of ATL Tiger Motors. For more information, interested persons can visit www.kia-jamaica.com or call 888-ATL-AUTO (285-2886).