Cut-price...... Cut Throats

Honda's nailed it with its first generation Jazz, and only improved with this second one, bringing along even better handling, cheekier squashed-mini-van styling and an incomprehensible amount of space for such a little body.

Then came along the Koreans and their Soul, which knocked everyone off their feet with its segment-busting looks, personalisation options, more room than my entire extended family could ever use and on top of that, a ridiculous price that rivals the tiny Toyota Yaris.

Kia Soul

When you have a budget of just over 50 grand, you can't very well be picky. No, scratch that: you can. Because if you walk into a Kia dealership, you can buy a car that's a segment above in terms of its size, loaded with kit like adjustable seats, audio functions on the steering wheel (that control a great audio system, as it happens, with USB, MP3 and iPod connectivity), fog lamps, tinted glass, electric mirrors and keyless entry. The basic Soul LX gives you all that, but if you can stretch to Dh61,900 for the EX, you get smart 18in rims, an even louder stereo with a sub-woofer and mood lamps that kick to the beat, all sorts of exterior and interior trim accents, leather, a sunroof and two airbags. It's clear you can't beat the Kia's value, especially considering the brand's five-year warranty plan.

Unfortunately, the 1.6-litre engine sounds like it runs on metal shavings, and its 124 horses feel a bit like leg-less goats. The transmission is equally unfortunate and just as lethargic, hesitating to kick down to the point where you'll stop plotting overtaking manoeuvres. Handling-wise, the Kia is a revelation though, tackling anything you throw at it despite a 1.6 metre height. Settling it on the highway unfortunately results in too much wind and tyre roar, but you'll definitely be comfortable on its wide seats anyway, playing with the mood lighting settings.

Honda jazz

It's smaller, it's more expensive (load it up and it rockets over 70K), it's even less powerful than the wheezy Kia but it's still a hell of a car. How?

Honda's slotted in a 1.5-litre V-tec engine into the Jazz, giving it a measly 109bhp, but at least they're proper athletic workhorses, this lot.

Plus, the six-speed auto responds immediately to your input should you decide to play with the column-mounted paddle shifters. This makes the revvy four-pot a joy to stretch, since the gearbox even lets you hit the engine's rev-limiter. It's fun to watch the needle bounce as you plant the Jazz through a long, opening bend, since you just know the V-tec engine is only getting started.

Then there is its styling, which isn't anything as special as the Kia's, but doesn't really bother anyone either. This optional bodykit on our test car sure makes it a bit wilder (for a mini-van).

But you get a fabulous interior that's miles ahead of the competition in terms of its trim quality, with clever switch positioning (all of which are extra large and easily legible) and practical uses for all the storage binnacles. Honda, too, will let you personalise the Jazz to the max, but, as I said earlier, at a cost.

Verdict

With a total score of 62 for the Honda against Kia's 60, the Jazz just edges it as the better car, although it was difficult reaching this verdict.

The Soul's biggest let down is a lazy engine that finds the notion of revving as tiresome as a teenager would an order to vacuum his room. On the other hand, the Jazz knows very well that it's underpowered, and yet goes out into the world with both hands punching the air, cheerily spinning the bolts of its V-tec engine in the hope of keeping up. And it doesn't care that it stays behind on the highway, because it'll catch up when it comes to throwing itself towards corner apexes, which it does with the agility of a Brazilian female beach volleyball team. The Jazz is a laugh to drive and fun to be in, with its curvy dash and optional tattoo graphics. The Soul is fun to start with, especially because of its stand-out design and ‘dragon skin' spec, but quickly settles into its real character of a no-nonsense people-mover with the practicality, space and equipment of a class above. It does everything well, but does nothing spectacularly. Except sell itself to you, which is a pretty easy thing to do with its Dh61,900 sticker.

If you buy the Jazz though, you'll get slightly less space and pay slightly more, but you'll also get a car that considers every journey an opportunity to plant a foot-long smile on your face.

Specs & Rating

Model Soul EX
Engine 1.6-litre inline four Transmission Five-speed auto FWD
Max power 124bhp @ 6,300rpm
Max torque 156Nm @ ,4,200rpm
Top speed 177kph
0-100kph 11.0sec
Price Dh61,900
Plus Excellent value, spacious and fun to chuck around
Minus Wheezy powertrain

Model Jazz

Engine 1.5-litre inline four Transmission Six-speed auto FWD
Max power 109bhp @ 5,800rpm
Max torque 143Nm @ 4,800rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Dh71,000
Plus Handling, trim quality and peppy powertrain
Minus A bit expensive