2023 Kia Soul Review: Mature Evolution

Design | Consolation | Tech | Efficiency | Security | Gas Financial system | Pricing

The Kia Soul has been a unusual standout for the Korean model because it went on sale again in 2008. The third era of what the automaker calls its “city runabout” debuted in 2020, and it’s been refreshed for the 2023 mannequin yr.

Kia has tweaked the entrance and rear styling a bit however extra importantly has simplified the lineup from six to 4 trim ranges and providing only one non-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The off-road–esque X-Line and sporty GT-Line Turbo have been dropped.

A extra environment friendly lineup of Souls stays that goes from reasonably priced to feature-packed. In the present day we’re testing the GT-Line, the third trim degree that’s imagined to challenge an air of sportiness. There’s not a lot sport with out final yr’s turbo, however we nonetheless discovered the Soul an impressively developed trip at an awesome worth.

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• Exterior Shade: Neptune Blue
• Inside Shade: Black SynTex and Material
• Wheel Dimension: 18-inches

Every era of the Soul’s design has misplaced a bit of little bit of allure. The primary one was all filled with bevels and chamfers that gave the lovable impression it was sporting a backpack. The 2023 Soul, representing the mannequin’s third era of styling, remains to be boxy, however the sheetmetal is smoother than any Soul earlier than it. The implied “backpack” has been diminished to a large, skinny bump out on the rear hatch.

The issue is that the Soul has gone from being recognized with cool dancing hamsters to wanting like a stormtrooper’s helmet. Is it ugly? Under no circumstances, however it’s much less attention-grabbing and gregarious than the unique design.

The inside is one other story. The Soul’s inside has gotten higher with every era and the present one is the very best thus far, with a large 10.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen show, all-digital gauge cluster, soft-touch plastics, and a bit of little bit of pop within the seat inserts and stitching. The accents are oddly coloured in that they don’t go together with the outside colour – Neptune Blue, on this case – which is a missed alternative for coordination.

• Seating Capability: 5
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
• Cargo Capability: 24.2 / 62.1 Cubic-Ft

The Soul has actually grown up from being a reasonable econobox geared toward first-time automobile homeowners. The brand new Soul has been designed for a extra mature purchaser who values a snug trip and quiet driving expertise.

Regardless of its quick wheelbase, this small automobile rides like a much bigger one over tough roads because of a compliant suspension. Likewise, the engine is impressively quiet for a automobile on this class. The extent of sound and vibration suppression is spectacular for this worth level.

The seats are additionally massive and extensive, able to accommodating any dimension butt or again, and ought to be nice for commutes and lengthy highway journeys. Likewise, rear seat passengers get spectacular leg room for the category at 38.8 inches. Evaluate that to the 33.4 inches rear seat riders get within the Nissan Kicks. On the spectrum of consolation and efficiency, Kia has undoubtedly turned the dial in the direction of consolation with this one.

• Heart Show: 10.3-inch Touchscreen
• Instrument Cluster Show: 4.2 inches
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Sure / Sure

Shopping for a Soul has all the time been a manner for folks on a price range to entry luxurious and tech options which might be normally reserved for higher-priced vehicles. This new Soul is not any exception.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (not wi-fi, although), heated seats, push-button begin, radar-based cruise management, USB A and C ports, wi-fi charging, the listing goes on. Conspicuously absent, although, is a heated steering wheel – a giant omission that was once out there on the Soul and which some opponents, just like the aforementioned and cheaper Nissan Kicks, nonetheless provide. Additionally lacking is the choice for a 360-degree digicam, which isn’t completely crucial with a small automobile just like the Soul however might be helpful in any dimension automobile.

• Engine: 2.0-Liter I4
• Output: 147 Horsepower / 132 Pound-Ft
• Transmission: Constantly Variable

The Soul wasn’t designed to be a sizzling hatch or high-performance crossover and by no means has been. The engine, whereas nicely mannered, runs out of energy as your foot nears the ground. There’s sufficient oomph for 95 % of conditions, however having enjoyable on a backroad filled with twists falls in that lacking 5 %.

Nonetheless, the repeatedly variable transmission is nicely behaved with clean takeoffs and 0 of the “rubber band” habits for which CVTs are (in)well-known. Braking, whereas not breathtaking, is well-modulated with good linear utility and pedal journey size.

This all provides as much as the form of car that’s good for a freeway jaunt or errand escapade, however is simply too gentle for fans to sink their tooth into.

• Driver Help Stage: SAE Stage 2 (Palms-On)
• NHTSA Ranking: 4 Stars Total
• IIHS Ranking: Not Prime Safet Decide/Prime Security Decide Plus

One can’t fault Kia on the security entrance. Impressively, the Soul is obtainable with an SAE Stage 2 (Palms-On) driver-assist system that each retains a preset distance from the automobile in entrance of you and steers itself contained in the lane. It requires a hand on the steering wheel, and the system presents little or no suggestions on what it’s doing or what it sees, however it’s the form of primary model of this know-how we’re impressed to search out in a $20,000 car.

Kia has additionally made a powerful listing of security options customary this yr that was once non-obligatory. That listing contains the camera-based ahead collision avoidance help, lane conserving help, lane following help, driver consideration warning, lane departure warning, excessive beam help, and rear occupant alert.

• Metropolis: 28 MPG
• Freeway: 33 MPG
• Mixed: 30 MPG

• Base Value: $19,890 + $1,325 Vacation spot
• Trim Base Value: $24,815
• As-Examined Value: $27,215

The Soul shouldn’t be the bottom priced crossover SUV you should purchase. That distinction goes to the Hyundai Venue ($20,985), with the $21,225 Soul slotting in between it and the redesigned Chevrolet Trax ($21,495) and the $21,775 Nissan Kicks (all costs embrace the respective automaker’s vacation spot prices). Our check automobile is the GT-Line trim, which begins at $24,815 and is the third of 4 trim ranges proper beneath the range-topping EX.

Whereas it prices a bit greater than these different automobiles, the Soul is extra refined with larger high quality options (simply evaluate the infotainment graphics of the Soul with the Kicks and also you’ll see what we imply). Whereas removed from a luxurious automobile, it offers financial system consumers a style of the nice life at an awesome worth.