They both started showing up online around the same time. From pictures I thought I'd like the Cube better, but in person I always dislike the Cube, and the Soul always catches my eye. Normally I wouldn't have a car like that but I kinda' dig the Soul.
In my opinion the cube is interesting to look at, Funky and wierd and it looks like it was designed to appeal to the kind of guys who wear ties with short sleeve white shirts and enjoy online role playing games. The Soul looks like it is trying too hard. Sorta like a commercial with an elderly person rapping to try and appeal to the younger generation.
I am thinking about trading the wifes GTI in on a green gen1 XB. It is the only one of the bunch that appeals to me and I am a staunch hater of modern toyota products.
just get a volvo
Haven't sat in or driven either one so this is based entirely on outward appearence and overall impression at a glance. I vote the Cube.
to all the xB guys, what do you like better about them?
from a styling standpoint they're a tad gangster, but the moment I pulled up next to a 300c I'd feel a bit lame.
I do like the looks of the Hyundai Elantra Touring SE.
I guess it is mechanically very similar to the Kia Soul. Sort of the Kia Soul without controversial looks.
belteshazzar wrote: to all the xB guys, what do you like better about them?
Just like the Element I HATED the XB when I first saw it, but they came in that awesome shade of olive green metallic and I really like that color. Then one day I saw a lady loading her groceries into one and I thought "Wow! that would be kinda nice to load the dogs into and head out on the freeway for a weekend trip", so I started to look into them some more and the super simple "one man and a straightedge" design really started to grow on me in a more modern 80's econobox fashion. Really they share alot of the same lines as cars like VW rabbits, old corolla's...ect. I still think they carry around more front bumper than any car should be allowed but the overall package just kinda works, I just wish they didn't feel so underpowered. Gangster? I don't quite see that.
The second gen XB is terrible looking and the Element never did grow on me.
Before we bought our Astra, we test drove the Cube against the Soul. The Soul won out by a large margin. It was cheaper, had more features, felt quicker, handled a bit more sharply, and had a top-opening hatch. The Cube has a side-hinged door instead of a hatch. For me, that was a problem.
Having said that, if you can find a Saturn Astra, go for it. Our dealership only had 5 speeds, and 2 of them were high-option cars. If you find one, expect to pay used car prices for it. They only brought them to the states for one model year, and that was 2008. My car was made in January 2008, and sat on the lot accumulating less than 25 miles total before we bought it in July 2009. You'll likely have to get the tow kit from Europe, but it's not a big deal.
Per Schroeder wrote: Nearly anything can tow 1k. Hell, a Miata can tow that.
By and large, I agree with you. But when the manufacturer lists absolutely nothing about towing ability, and hawks the vehicle as a featherweight ecoweenie toy, I become very cautious about things like towing.
Sure, the engine can pull the weight. But can the rest of the car deal with the load? Will the transmission burn up from the load? Is there even anywhere to securely mount a hitch without it ripping out? Can you even find a hitch? Will the darn thing go sideways the first time I try to stop hard on a turn with that little trailer back there?
Some vehicles just don't make good tow rigs, no matter how small the trailer.
I think the cube looks like a refuge from the 1998 tokyo auto show.
Joey
I've spent quite a bit of time driving the Soul and I really like it. I had the chance to fling one around PCH south of Monterey last year, and was really surprised at how nimble, and capable it's chassis was. Granted I wasn't driving 10/10ths (not with a 1,000 foot cliffs looming), but I'd push the Soul a little harder each turn, and it kept surprising me with it's competence. I also like the Element, but I found the Soul much more entertaining to drive. The Element would do what you told it to, but without any enthusiasm, more of an appliance than a fun driver. The Soul actually seemed to like being driven aggressively. It felt much lighter and more nimble than the Element. I also liked it's whimsical nature. (red glovebox, crazy lights in the speakers) If I was buying a new car, I'd really consider the Soul, especially as it is dirt cheap!
I haven't driven the Cube, but I'm not a fan of it's Anime-on LSD looks. I've also heard that the Cube is a complete bore to drive. I do like the crazy curved glass side window though. I like the fact that there is at least one new "car" available that considers outward visibility important.
All I can say is that my Kia has been a great car so far.
Joe was the Cube a stick or automatic?
My only requirements are stick and cruise, I don't even care what color it is.
Dan
In reply to 914Driver:
The Cube that we had around the office (I didn't drive it) was an auto. I'm sure this is partly to blame for it being kind of a dud to drive.
Both of the Souls I've driven have been manual trans. Although the action of the gearbox / linkage wasn't great, (gritty, vague) rowing the gears added to the fun.
Thanx.
Soul or Cube?
To me, the Soul looks very contrived...like the stylists were trying too hard to be cute/off-beat. Yet, ironically, it's probably the Cube's stylists who really pushed the design envelope what with the rippled headliner and the optional shag dash-topper, as examples.
I prefer the Cube's looks, but wonder if that engine can pull such a boxy/heavy? vehicle at high speeds.
ditchdigger wrote: The Soul looks like it is trying too hard.
integraguy wrote: To me, the Soul looks very contrived...like the stylists were trying too hard to be cute/off-beat.
Really? To me it looks pretty conventional.
I disagree it was Nissan that was trying too hard, who wants an un-symetrical car? Its like a Pacer only worse.
Mine would be a Soul in red with tinted windows and lowered on some nice wheels.
Honda Fit FTW!!!
But in all seriousness the cube looks better
I think the Soul looks like a mini-GTR from the front.
Fit_Is_Slo wrote: Honda Fit FTW!!! But in all seriousness the cube looks better
i doubt that F15 could tow, that car has a hard enough time moving out of it's way on it's own, the last thing it needs is a tailer attached to it. They are great cars, but I'm a front engine-rwd kinda guy, and the lack of torques and torques over a period of time, made me sell that car. I miss it, but I think Soul instead of Cube.
The Cube is cool, but all I can think of are people who love Apple and VWs but can't afford a new GTi, so they go with the Cube, with their super skin tight jeans, two size two small horizontally striped v-neck shirt, purchasing these and driving around listening to emo music and hating the world because mommy and daddy gave them too much attention growing up.
"....who wants an un-symmetrical car?"
The current Cube is the 3rd gen. of the vehicle and if I remember right, the previous 2 had this un-symmetrical rear window "treatment". If that is so, Nissan just wanted to continue a design theme. They did the same thing through many generations of the GT-R. That is, the tail light clusters looked (vaguely) the same, and many generations carried an indentation in the lower body side that started with the 1 st gen GT-R.
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