At time of writing the latest Kia Soul safety systems had yet to be tested by Euro NCAP but the previous model achieved a full five-star rating.

The new Soul’s structure has changed markedly, with many of its underpinnings shared with the Ceed hatchback, itself a five-star NCAP performer.

A Lane Departure Warning System is available, which alerts the driver if they drift out of lane without indicating. There’s also High Beam Assist, which can automatically switch the headlights between high beam and dipped beam to avoid dazzling traffic ahead.

Choose the Soul EV and you have the first electric car to be fitted with a virtual engine sound, meaning at low speeds and in reverse, an electronic noise is produced to warn pedestrians of your otherwise silent approach.

The 2014 Kia Soul is slightly longer, wider and lower than before and also has a longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels). As a result, there’s greater head, leg and shoulder room and more luggage space than before.

Interior space

In fact, space for occupants really is very generous indeed. The Soul isn’t all that huge on the outside but it certainly feels big on the inside.

That distinctive high roof and square tail means acres of head room. Tall passengers will feel far more at home in the Kia Soul than in the larger Sportage, for example, and it’s wide enough for three people to sit on the rear bench in relative comfort, although the EV has 80mm less rear legroom than other Souls. Tough plastic cladding on the back of the front seats protects them against kick-happy kids travelling in the back.

A useful amount of interior storage space includes a huge glovebox, generously sized door bins and a decent-sized central cubby box beneath the armrest between the front seats.

Luggage space

Cabin space is excellent, then, but a small boot weakens the Kia Soul’s proposition as a family car. There’s simply not enough space for tall items – to fit four average-sized travel bags in we needed to remove the rear parcel shelf and balance it on top of the bags.

There is an area of storage space under the boot’s floor panel but it’s divided into partitions by foam so you can’t store large items in there. Happily, unlike many new cars there’s a space-saver spare wheel as opposed to a tyre repair kit.

For the record, petrol and diesel Souls’ boot volume is 354 litres with the seats up and the luggage board in its lowest position; a four percent improvement over the old Soul. With the seats down, there’s 1,367 litres to the roof. Choose the EV model and those figures drop to 281 litres and 891 litres respectively.

The tailgate has a wider opening than before, although a pronounced load lip could make removing heavy items tricky.

Integrated roof rails are a further new addition for the 2014-on model.

It’s a shame boot space is so limited, because Kia Soul practicality is otherwise excellent.