The Kia Soul, which made its debut in 2010 as a funky, youthful, and inexpensive runabout with trim names like Soul+ and Soul!, has grown in its third generation to become a competitive option in the compact crossover market for those looking for a five-seater, city-sized hatchback with a length of 165.2 inches. It has a more sophisticated appearance and feels than many competitors but is priced similarly. All trim levels save the basic options like wireless charging, power driver’s seat, and GPS.
With new front and back fascias, optional LED lighting, and emergency front braking now standard on all levels, the Soul receives a light makeover for 2023. The only models available are the LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. Along with the Turbo variant, which only had a 201-horsepower turbocharged engine, the X-Line has been retired. The battery-electric Soul EV is still sold in Canada, although it was discontinued after 2019 and hasn’t been returned.
Along with other little people-haulers like the Chevrolet Trax, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Taos, it competes with the Honda HR-V (which increased in its 2023 redesign), Hyundai Venue, and Nissan Kicks. Its front-seat headroom is comparable to that of the HR-V, Venue, and Kicks, but its boxy shape maintains headroom for passengers in the back seats, giving them 39.5 inches more rear headroom than competitors.
Its automated continuously variable gearbox (CVT) is paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Although Kia refers to it as an IVT (intelligent variable), the concept is the same. It has quick acceleration, enough highway passing power, and sensitive handling, making driving surprisingly enjoyable for a primary commuter vehicle. Despite being negligible, it has a secure and confident feeling. All trims cost between $21,085 and $25,385, with a delivery charge of $1,295.
While the Kicks has 43.7 inches of front-seat legroom and the HR-V and Venue have 41.1 inches, the Soul’s 38.8 inches of rear-seat legroom is more significant than any of them. Its maximum load capacity is 23.4 cubic feet, which is somewhat less than that of the HR-V and Kicks but more than the 18.7 cubic feet in the Venue. However, when the rear seats are folded down, its maximum cargo capacity increases to 61.2 cubic feet, which is higher than the others. Additionally, there are various cubbies up front where little objects may be kept.
All trims come with emergency front braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attentiveness alert, but it only receives four out of a possible five stars in the NHTSA’s crash tests. The extensive 10-year/100,000-mile warranty that Kia offers on practically everything is included with the Soul. In this area, it is also reasonably priced and deserving of consideration.
Performance: Kia Soul
The only one available for the Soul is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A 201-horsepower turbocharged engine formerly offered with it has been removed until 2023. Front-wheel drive and an automatic continuously variable gearbox (CVT) are standard on all Soul grades. Although it is the same thing, Kia refers to it as an IVT or intelligent variable.
With fast handling, smooth corners, and surprisingly quick acceleration, it’s enjoyable to drive. There is sufficient overtaking power on the highway, and it feels well-planted with a secure brake pedal feel. The Soul’s gearless gearbox works quite well, and the two are an excellent match for one another. These gearless transmissions may sometimes be loud or seem out of rhythm with the engine.
The Honda HR-V, one of its more direct rivals, has 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, but it doesn’t seem as fast and energetic as the Kia Soul and is much more expensive. However, it does have an all-wheel drive option that the Kia does not offer. The Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue only produce 113 and 114 pound-feet of torque and 121 and 122 horsepower, respectively.
Fuel efficiency: Kia Soul
The Soul uses regular-grade 87-octane fuel and has an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg in mixed driving. That places it in the middle of its primary competitors, with the Honda HR-V being the least fuel-efficient at 28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 27 mpg with all-wheel drive, which is an option.
Lower-powered rivals of the Kia get better fuel efficiency, with the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks rating 31 mpg in combined driving. Other compact crossovers that perform better than the Soul include the front-wheel-drive Toyota Taos, the Hyundai Kona, and the Toyota Corolla Cross, all of which get 32 mpg. The Mazda CX-30, with all-wheel drive, is rated at 29 mpg, while the Buick Encore equals the Soul at 30 mpg.
Safety and driver support technology:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Soul a four-star overall rating in crash tests instead of the maximum five-star rating. It received five stars for side crashes but only four for rollover and frontal impacts. While the revamped Honda HR-V hasn’t yet been tested, the Venue and Kicks scored only four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Soul a “Good” grade in every crash test. The Venue also received the title of Top Safety Pick, albeit the HR-V and Kicks did as well.
Emergency front braking, lane-keep assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert are standard across all Soul grades. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, both with collision avoidance, are available as options for the basic LX. All other trims come standard with these. A $2,400 technology package is available for the GT-Line, which mainly adds convenience amenities, highway driving assistance, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Comfort and Space
Despite its size, the Soul feels significant and has supportive, comfy seats. Standard seats are made of fabric, but the GT-Line adds faux leather detailing. A 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support is normal except for the basic LX. The GT-Line has heated front seats as an option; the EX comes standard. All save the LX feature dual-zone automatic temperature control, while the LX has manual climate control.
The LX and S have front headrooms of 39.9 inches, whereas the GT-Line and EX have 38.3 inches from the standard sunroof. The closest rival, the Nissan Kicks, has 40.4 inches, followed by the Honda HR-V with 39.4 inches and the Hyundai Venue with 39.4 inches. However, Kia’s square-box design maintains it to the back, with 39.5 inches for passengers in the backseat, while its competitors are closer to 38 inches. The Soul’s front-seat legroom is only slightly less than that of the HR-V and Venue (41.1 inches vs. 43.7 inches for the Kicks), but the Soul’s rear-seat legroom is more than that of its rivals (33.5 to 37.7 inches).
Infotainment: Kia Soul
While all other trims come standard with a 10.25-inch screen with onboard navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect, which works with a mobile phone app, the basic LX has an 8-inch central touchscreen. A digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, and everything except the lowest trim come standard.
With volume and tuning knobs, hard buttons to bring up the different panels, and a programmable controller to rapidly access a favorite feature, the 10.25-inch screen is simple to use and intuitive. The station numbers are elegantly displayed like vintage radio tubes on the net. The stereo also has a “Sounds of Nature” mode where you may choose relaxing white noise from the sounds of the ocean, rain, a rainforest, a crackling fire, or a busy outdoor café.
Even though the EX is the top trim, the distinctively designed GT-Line receives most of the optional features that the EX does not, such as a high-end 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with speaker lights that can be programmed to pulse in time with the music.
Storage & Cargo Space:
With the back seats up, the Soul can fit up to 24.2 cubic feet of cargo in most trims, while an optional dual-floor divider offers 23.4 cubic feet in the lowest position and 18.7 in the higher place. You may conceal anything below it at the higher setting. The Kicks has the most cubic feet among competitors (25.3), while the Venue has the least (18.7 cubic feet). The Honda HR-V comes in second with 55.1 cubic feet, followed by the Venue at 31.9 cubic feet when the Soul’s back seats are folded down.
The squared-off design of the Soul makes it easier to carry large objects, but there is a pretty tall lift-over, and the hatch sits high over the rear fascia. Small-item storage for front-seat passengers is excellent, with an open cubby in the center console, strategically positioned cupholders, and a covered storage box. Additionally, the middle stack has a roomy open cubby, and if you have a wireless phone, it is located on a little ledge about halfway up the cubby. The charger is usually placed on the compartment floor by manufacturers. Instead of putting things on top of the Soul, you can park your phone and throw stuff in underneath.
Design: Kia Soul
You won’t mistake the Soul for anything else on the road because of its distinctive boxy appearance. Depending on the model, wheels maybe 16-, 17-, or 18 inches, and LED headlights, taillights, and fog lamps are an option. Cars bought with white or Surf Blue paint may have a black roof added, depending on the trim. The center exhaust pipe, grille mesh, flat-bottom steering wheel, and other distinctive aesthetic elements are all features of the GT-Line.
The interior design is straightforward yet attractive, with more soft-touch materials than many cars in this entry-level sector and simple-to-use controls on the dashboard and center stack. The Soul also has a more premium feel than most of its competitors. The inside has a good fit and finish, and all of the controls, dials, and knobs seem solid and well-made, even if it generates considerable wind and road noise.
The Kia Soul 2023: Is It Worth It?
The basic LX model of the 2023 Kia Soul costs $21,085 plus $1,295 for delivery. The S model costs $23,585, the GT-Line costs $24,685, and the EX model costs $25,385. Technology Packages are an option for the LX and GT-Line. Some color combinations cost $345 more.
The GT-Line, which has a sportier appearance, will probably sell the most. Dual-zone temperature control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a power driver’s seat are among the amenities that are common to most other trims. Still, it also has some unique features, including 18-inch wheels, rear seat armrests, and a steering wheel with a sporty design. Additionally, it includes features not found on the top-tier EX, such as a premium audio system, speaker lighting, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and highway driving assistance, with its $2,400 Technology Package. That brings the price up to $27,085, yet many customers could think it was well spent.
How Much Will Insurance for a 2023 Kia Soul Cost?
Insuring The Soul ought to be comparable to most contemporaries, if not more expensive. Though this figure covers all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record may anticipate an average yearly premium close to $1,950. Owners of the standard Hyundai Kona may spend $1,770 annually, compared to slightly over $1,700 for the Hyundai Venue and $1,980 for the Nissan Kicks.
Verdict
The boxy shape of the Kia Soul, which increases rear-seat headroom and facilitates baggage loading, makes it simple to identify. For 2023, the turbocharged engine will no longer be an option, but the 2.0-liter four-cylinder will still be an enjoyable motor to drive. Redesigned front and back fascias, a redesigned grill, and emergency front brakes are standard across all levels. It also gets minor stylistic tweaks. It also has a competitive fuel efficiency rating and is reasonably priced, but it only scores four out of a possible five stars in NHTSA crash tests, diminishing the appeal of its great value.
