Kia has officially killed the ‘Hamster’ car, aka the Soul. The current generation Kia Soul is the last to be ever sold internationally, and there is no new model coming. But why has Kia discontinued it? Read below to know more.

You can also check the top certified pre-owned Kia Soul cars with Cars24 UAE.

Also read: Yangwang U8 Arabian Edition launched in the UAE at AED 650,900

Why has the Kia Soul been discontinued?

Kia first introduced the Soul hatchback in the US in 2009. Initially, it was positioned as an affordable imported hatchback that offered a spacious cabin and a decently powerful engine.

Loaded with modern features, Soul performed well initially. Thanks to the ‘Hamster’ marketing campaign, it became popular instantly in the market and sold over 150,000 units in 2015.

However, with the introduction of pseudo SUVs like the Kia Seltos, the demand for hatchbacks has died over the years. The Soul was also impacted by the low demand, and Kia felt helpless when it could sell only 56,000 units in 2024.

Hence, there is no point in carrying the unnecessary old hatchback model, while its profit margin is low. Meanwhile, pseudo SUVs are earning more and have better reach among buyers. Therefore, Kia has decided to shut it down for good.

The dead-end of Kia Soul: No replacement coming

The current-generation Soul was introduced in 2023 with design and cabin changes. It features a subtle, tallboy design that divided buyers with a polarising feel for it.

However, it is loaded with the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine, which is mated to a CVT gearbox. This engine and transmission combination is known for its smooth performance and decent fuel economy.

Speaking of its replacement, there is none coming ever. Kia has clarified that the Soul has reached the dead end of its lifecycle. There is no benefit in making more hatchbacks when the world wants SUVs.

Our verdict

The Kia Soul is a reliable and solid car for small families. It gets an adequately powered engine and performance combination, which is coupled with a sturdy build quality and durability. It remains one of the most popular used Kia cars in the UAE.