When Kia first introduced the Soul in 2009, they were looking to break away from their usual move of providing the most affordable crossovers and SUVs on the market. It could be argued that the Soul was the first vehicle that Kia designed with mass-market appeal in mind, and they certainly achieved that goal. The design of the vehicle, which was brought to life when designer Mike Torpey saw a picture of a warthog wearing a backpack has become an instant favorite among buyers. The unique, quirky look of the Soul, when combined with its functionality and practicality, resulted in a home run for Kia.
Pricing and Value
It’s not uncommon to find relatively young Kia Souls for under $15,000, with some of their base models falling in the 11-13K range. Many shoppers look for the second generation Kia Souls that were produced between 2014 and 2019 and typically fall within that price range.
Interior and Comfort
The small “boxy” style on the body of the Kia Soul may lead you to believe that space on the inside will be limited, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only does the Kia Soul offer plenty of passenger room in the front and back seats, but there is also significantly more cargo space than expected. With roughly 100 cubic feet of passenger space and nearly 50 cubic feet of cargo space, you shouldn’t have any issues comfortably carrying your family and cargo on your next trip in your Kia Soul. The models that come with a sunroof create an even larger feel on the inside of the Soul, which already seems spacious enough even without them.
Kia designed the interior of the Soul with comfort in mind, as any area that you regularly touch or rest your arm has comfortable padding on it. The controls that you have access to from the front are well labeled and easy to use for both the primary and secondary systems. The quality of material used on the interior of the Kia Soul is better than what is often standard in cars of this price range, but Kia managed to provide a spacious, quality interior at a price point that makes it appealing to buyers who are shopping with price in mind. In fact, one of the major features owners of the 2018 Kia Soul were satisfied most with was the comfort of the second-row seats. They were also impressed with the coordination of the interior colors and textures.
As is usually the case, Kia didn’t flood the interior of the Soul with a lot of over-the-top “frills.” Instead, they equipped the Soul with a comfortable, roomy interior that still provides a sleek style. The cloth bucket seats combined with the metal-look interior accents come together to create a modern look for Soul owners.
It is also worth noting that in addition to the expansive passenger and cargo space, the Kia Soul offers plenty of other storage space. The glove box is surprisingly large in addition to a number of small bins and trays in all the door panels and around the transmission shifter.
Performance and Engine Specs
Drivers have the option to pursue more power by buying a Kia Soul with a Kia Soul Exclaim turbo engine, but it’s not really necessary. The Soul provides plenty of power, even in the base models. The 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine provides a 201-horsepower experience. Typically, the Kia Soul will accelerate from 0-60 in just over 7.5 seconds, which means you can enjoy a little bit of a zip when you are hitting the gas on an open road.
Fuel Economy
Several Kia models boast some of the best fuel economy in their class, and the Soul is certainly no different. The EPA says that the Kia Soul should get around 28 MPG (25 city/30 highway), keeping it at or near the top of its class. Kia Souls with the Exclaim turbo engine package actually boast a slightly improved fuel economy, meaning you don’t have to forfeit efficiency in your pursuit of power.
Technology
Starting with the second generation of Kia Souls in 2014, Kia integrated their “Infotainment” system. With that integration, the 2014 Soul became the first to feature audio streaming from smartphones with Pandora integration. Souls with Infotainment also came standard with six speakers, USB/Aux ports, Bluetooth capabilities and a free trial of Sirius/XM radio. Finally, you can choose lighted speakers that allow you to adjust the color of your interior space to create an even better “modern” atmosphere in the compact Kia Soul.
The implementation of the keyless entry makes the Soul even more user-friendly. Not only do you not have to worry about whether or not you locked your car since it automatically locks when the fob is out of range, but you also never have to worry about locking your keys up in your car.
Driving Dynamics
The diminutive size of the Kia Soul allows you to handle even the sharpest of turns at normal speeds, thanks in part to its long wheelbase. The steering mechanism that Kia incorporated in the Kia Soul allows it to tighten up when maneuvering through a busy parking lot while still getting heavier when you increase your speed on the road. Braking on the Kia Soul isn’t a problem either. The car remains easy to control even if you have to suddenly slam on the brakes.
The size of the Soul allows it to make a drive along a winding road fun. While you obviously still need to operate at safe speeds, you can drive the Soul at speeds much closer to those of a sedan than a top-heavy SUV. While it may take a bit of getting used to, the Soul is easy to maneuver in virtually any space.
Safety
Kia consistently puts some of the safest cars in the market out every year, and the Soul is no exception to that rule. Driver and passenger safety all received good ratings in crash tests thanks primarily to the quality of the “cage” of the Soul. Overall, IIHS evaluated the second generation of Kia Souls as superior in regards to front crash prevention. Moreover, the company keeps improving upon safety features with each new year release.
Final Thoughts
Kia has long been producing quality vehicles that are created with drivers and passengers in mind, and the Soul carries on that tradition. The price point keeps it approachable for almost every customer, and the interior provides a comfortable ride whether you’re just running a quick errand or planning a lengthy road trip. The technological capabilities keep everything fun, and as always, safety is at the forefront of everything that Kia does. With competitive performance and fuel economy, the Soul can get you where you need to go without breaking the bank.
