Are Kia Souls Good Cars?
In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, the subcompact SUV segment has emerged as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds. With a growing demand for vehicles that offer the perfect blend of size, functionality, and affordability, this segment has become a hotbed of innovation and competition.
In the subcompact SUV segment, practicality is king. Customers seek vehicles that can effortlessly navigate city streets while offering ample cargo space and comfortable interiors.
Enter the Kia Soul.
Like it or not, the Kia Soul has become one of the more unique offerings in the subcompact SUV segment with its familiar boxy shape and fun-loving character. Plus, it offers an obnoxious level of practicality and top-notch value proposition. Today’s guide is dedicated to potential buyers interested in the Kia Soul, comprehensively evaluating why it’s a worthwhile investment. Let’s take a look.
Engine, Performance, and Fuel Economy
The Kia Soul is not a fast car, but it offers a decent selection of engine options, including electric variants. The base engine is a 2.0L inline-four with a balanced performance with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. However, suppose you’re seeking a more spirited performance. In that case, you can opt for the turbocharged 1.6L engine (available in GT Line trim) that delivers 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Whether you prefer the zippy turbocharged engine or the more fuel-efficient base option, the Soul has something to match your driving style. Its handling is smooth, and the ride quality is top-notch, providing a driving experience that rivals more expensive counterparts. However, the common complaint about the Kia Soul is that it lacks all-wheel drive and agility.
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Regarding fuel economy, the Kia Soul features competitive fuel efficiency. For instance, the base 2.0L inline-four engine offers impressive fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 25-27 mpg city and 31-33 MPG highway. On the other hand, the turbocharged unit maintains respectable fuel efficiency despite the increased power, with an EPA-estimated 27 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.
Overall, the Kia Soul is not fast, but it’s more than adequate for highway merging.
Interior and Tech Features
While many consumers have a love/hate relationship with the Kia Soul’s boxy profile, it served the SUV well. For example, The 2023 Kia Soul offers a roomy interior with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers. The boxy design translates into generous cargo space, making it a practical choice for daily driving.
The Kia Soul is a budget SUV, so its interior quality reflects that. The interior is adorned with semi-high-quality materials, giving it some poshness. Soft-touch surfaces, available leather upholstery, and customizable color options add to the aesthetic appeal. However, most interior elements have no shortage of hard plastic trimmings and a fair amount of wind noise, especially at higher speeds.
As mentioned, the boxy shape has benefited the Kia Soul in terms of cargo space. For instance, the 2023 Soul boasts 24.2 cu-ft of cargo space behind the second row of seats, which expands to a cavernous 62.1 cu-ft by folding the second row – plenty of room to accommodate your gear and luggage. Lastly, this four-door hatchback SUV can comfortably accommodate up to five passengers.
The Kia Soul also features ample standard infotainment features that will make most gearheads happy. For example, the 2023 Kia Soul has a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, with an optional 10.2-inch touchscreen display for higher trims. Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, so you can wirelessly enjoy your favorite tunes and podcasts.
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Safety Features and Ratings
Despite its size and unconventional looks, the Kia Soul offers a wide range of advanced safety tech features and is highly rated by reputable vehicle safety organizations. The Kia Soul is equipped with a wide array of safety features designed to protect occupants and assist the driver, including:
- Forward Collision Warning: This system uses sensors to detect potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians ahead and alerts the driver accordingly.
- Lane Keeping Assist: It helps the driver maintain the vehicle within the lane markings, reducing the risk of unintentional lane departures.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: Available on higher trims, this feature warns the driver of vehicles in blind spots, enhancing safety during lane changes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This assists the driver in detecting vehicles approaching from the sides while reversing, particularly useful in parking lots.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: It adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, adding convenience on long drives.
For safety ratings, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has scored several Kia Soul models a 5-star overall safety rating, reflecting its strong performance in various crash tests. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also recognized the Soul as a safe vehicle, with many models being an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Long-Term Reliability and Best/Worst Years
The Kia Soul is well-known for its long-term reliability. In fact, RepairPal has rated this SUV a respectable 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a 3rd overall ranking out of seven subcompact SUVs.
As for the Kia Soul years to avoid, you’ll want to pass on the 2012-2016 models due to the high number of complaints and reliability issues, including engine problems, faulty electrical systems, and transmission failure. This stretch of Kia Soul models was also rated lower in reliability than other years.
We highly recommend checking out the 2011, 2018, and 2019 model years for the best years of the Kia Soul. These models are some of the highest-rated Souls regarding reliability – plus, they have fewer complaints and major reliability woes.
Final Verdict: Are Kia Souls Good Cars?
Are Kia Souls good cars? Yes, the Kia Soul is a good car.
As long as you manage your expectations from a budget-friendly SUV, there’s much to love about the Soul, offering a tremendous value proposition. The name of the game here is unparalleled practicality, in which the Kia Soul more than delivers.
If you’re considering purchasing a Kia Soul, this guide has hopefully provided the insights needed to make an informed decision. The critical elements highlighted here underscore why the Kia Soul is worth the purchase, offering a complete package that meets and often exceeds expectations.
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