KIA SOUL SPORT

Price £23,250 On sale Now What’s new? Hot variant of the crossover gets a model-exclusive turbocharged 1.6-litre engine Hands up who thinks of the Kia Soul as sporty? Nah, nor do we, but this new Sport model might change that; 201bhp, 196lb ft and 0-60mph in 7.5sec are all respectable, and the theme continues with racy exterior and interior styling overtures.

The Sport isn’t that sporty to drive, though. It’s nippy and controls its body well, but torque steer corrupts the overly light steering and the car feels ponderous when pushed. Its biggest weaknesses, though, are an inconsistent seven-speed auto gearbox and poor fuel economy (about 30mpg). The Soul’s appeal has always been cheap, practical motoring, and despite its name, the Sport doesn’t change that.