Kia’s innovative urban crossover, the Soul, has been refreshed from top to bottom for the 2012 model year.

New or revised 1.6-litre engines and the introduction of a six-speed gearbox on all models improve performance while lowering fuel consumption, emissions and running costs.

The distinctive and highly original exterior styling is now sharper while continuing to emphasise Kia’s obsession with quality.

This is reflected in the cabin, where changes to the fascia, console and trim raise standards higher. And all versions have more equipment.

The revised model is now on sale offering a choice of two regular trim grades, badged Soul 1 and Soul 2, and two “Soul Originals”, the Hunter and Quantum. ‘Soul Originals’ is a rolling programme of special versions with unique styling and trim, changed at regular intervals.

Soul is an urban crossover – small enough to be ideally suited to the world’s urban jungles, but totally different to conventional, workday small cars. It opened up an entirely new market sub-segment when it first appeared in 2008.

Like conventional superminis, Soul is a five-door, five-seat front-wheeldrive hatchback.

Soul’s style is “tough not rough”. It has a high bonnet with rounded forms, bulging wheel arches and a wide track. The wheel arches are joined by a body side crease, while the roofline appears to slope gently down to the tailgate.

The beltline, which rises from the front wheel arch to create a gentle wedge shape, is continued under and around the third side window. There are decorative air vents in the front wings, these incorporate sleek side repeaters on the entry-level version.

For 2012, Soul has been given an even sportier twist with changes to the grilles, lights, front bodywork and wheels. A new bumper with a wider, lower air intake changes the proportions of the car and gives it a wider stance, and the grilles are now set off with cubic effect inserts which give it a more premium look.

The vertical rear light clusters have been revised and incorporate brake lights that wrap around the side of the car, while daytime running lights – bulb-type in Soul 1 and 2 and LED in the two “Soul Originals” – add a touch of style to the black bezel headlamp units and make the car easier to see.

Soul 1 now has body-coloured door handles and mirrors and a toptinted windscreen, while Soul 2 gains muscular surrounds around its front foglights, 16-in alloy wheels and folding electric door mirrors containing stylish indicator repeaters.

All versions are 15mm longer than before to accommodate the new powertrains under the bonnet, yet remain extremely compact at 4.12 metres long.

The practical and spacious interior features a totally redesigned centre fascia, centre console and gearshifter which improve both usability and the feeling of quality. The upholstery in Soul 1 continues to be stylish all-black cloth, while Soul 2 has a new design of luminous “Soul Shine” cloth.

Soul Hunter is trimmed in either black or beige, depending on the exterior colour specified, with matching tartan colour trim that adds a charming and fun flavour to the interior. Soul Quantum is trimmed in luxurious black leather.

Soul was the first Kia to use an all-new platform that has since been adopted in modified form for Kia’s other B-segment models, the Venga and new Rio. It is powered by two 1.6-litre engines – a new direct-injection (GDi) petrol unit developing 138bhp, up 14bhp on the previous 1.6-litre – and a modified 126bhp turbodiesel (CRDi).

A six-speed manual gearbox replaces the five-speed unit previously used, while the CRDi engine is optionally available with a six-speed automatic in place of the former four-speed transmission.