First look: Kia bares its Soul ahead of Detroit

KIA Motors has unveilled what will be the star of its Detroit motor show exhibit in around two weeks.

Dubbed Soul, the off-road concept is a development of the South Korean brand's Mesa concept that appeared at this year's Detroit show.

Kia says Soul is "a bold, sporty cross-over 4WD vehicle designed to appeal to young people looking for a vehicle that is as versatile and easy to use as it stylish and uncompromising in its bold visual statement".

Possibly based on the same platform as Kia's next all-new off-roader, the redesigned Sorrento, Soul features a wrap-around windscreen, muscular wheel flares, stylised headlights and a sloped roofline.

Though fairly compact, Soul features what's claimed to be a large, practical interior that comprises a reconfigurable cargo space, while the rear door includes a unique "drawer" for wet or muddy items such as a wetsuit or hiking shoes.