Review: Kia Soluto

Kia’s 2021 Soluto has arrived with a promising array of features and capabilities. Although the Soluto enters a very crowded subcompact sedan category with very established competitors, the vehicle’s practicality, efficiency and friendly price tag is what’s sure to raise eyebrows. With Kia releasing somewhat similar models in the Picanto and the Stonic—both of which made splashes in their own right—the Soluto is a car that could likewise do the same.

Coming in four variants—1.4 LX MT, 1.4 LX AT, 1.4 EX MT and 1.4 EX AT—the Soluto is in a very enticing price range of P665,000 to P755,000. Moreover, Kia offers the Soluto in five monochromatic yet refreshing colors in Clear White, Titanium Silver, Blue Stream, Aurora Black Pearl and Marcato Red.

Exterior

The Soluto’s sleek and simple design gave me a comfortable and inviting feeling even prior to stepping foot inside. Kia’s unmistakable tiger-nose grille across the Soluto’s front is what’s immediately noticeable, as this is also paired with expressive headlamps, projector fog lamps and sculpted air intakes to complete its visage. 

Behind, you’ll find a vast expanse of trunk lid sheet metal flanked by large taillamps. On the sides there are chrome door handles and side mirrors with LED turning lights. In terms of overall size, the Soluto is rather average compared to other sedans in its class. 

Interior

The Soluto’s cabin is both simple and sleek, corroborating an initial feeling of comfort. As someone used to driving SUVs, a good number of times when I first enter a sedan, I immediately feel its compactness from being the smaller cars that they are. However, that wasn’t the case with the Soluto as I found good space in the driver’s seat and in the backseats as well, which is something you can’t say for all sedans across the board.

One feature, although relatively small and possibly not as significant, but which I appreciated greatly nonetheless, is the driver’s armrest. Whenever I go on long trips out of town or even just being stuck in traffic for quite some time, I always find myself resting my right arm atop my thermos placed on the cupholder. Having the armrest not only allowed me to drive more comfortably during long drives, but for whenever I was at the wheel.

Centered across the dashboard is a 7-inch infotainment system which, at least at first, I found to be a tad bit too small, but eventually found it to be just right after having gotten used to it. The Soluto has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto readily available, which is something that can’t be said regarding all of the current subcompact sedans (or all current cars, for that matter).

The only odd thing I found with the Soluto’s interior is that instead of the usual four window switches by the driver’s door, the switches are located side-by-side beneath the infotainment system that you flick up and down. This was my first time encountering such a layout and definitely took some getting used to. Other than that, however, the Soluto’s interior allowed for both a pleasant drive and comfortable ride.

Under the hood

Under the Soluto’s hood is a 1.4-liter Kappa Dual-CVVT engine that outputs 95hp and 132Nm of torque. Its highly efficient gasoline engine allows for just the right balance between performance and fuel economy.

At the wheel, the engine allows for a relatively smooth and responsive drive. I noticed that the steering wheel felt quite light, particularly when making sharp and quick turns, which is something that could either be a good or bad thing depending on the driver’s preference. Personally, though, I didn’t mind the rather smooth and light handling of the wheel.

I noticed that the rear of the Soluto is a bit shorter than it may actually seem, which, to me, could be of great help when parking and/or reversing. Unlike some sedans, the Soluto isn’t too close to the ground where you’d have to be mindful of almost anything your car traverses. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle is completely immune from those dreaded ditches and tall/big humps.

Safety

Although Kia has placed multiple essential safety features on the Soluto such as an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), a rear view camera with parking guide, front airbags and an anti-theft immobilizer, I believe that there could possibly be a bit more safety features than these. A minor detail I noticed as well is that the video quality displayed on screen from the rear view camera could be clearer and more detailed, as it could get more difficult when the scenery is dark or not well-lit.

Verdict

The Kia Soluto is a great everyday companion that not only would fulfill its job, but will do it pleasantly, efficiently and well. Especially keeping in mind that we currently live in a time where we are only head to places that are essential and where budget-friendliness is greatly appreciated by all, the Kia Soluto might just very well be your solution.