2024 Kia Soul Assessment, Pricing, and Specs
5 min read
Overview
Neglect the hamsters—the 2024 Kia Soul is a lovely and distinctive choice amongst right now’s crop of subcompact SUVs. Its boxy styling is extroverted and its inside affords whimsical touches, however the Soul oozes practicality because of a spacious cabin that is roomier than you’d anticipate given the automobile’s small footprint. The Soul additionally affords a formidable quantity of options for the cash on condition that it is cheaper than many rivals together with the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Jeep Renegade, and the Kia Seltos. There’s just one powertrain on provide—a 147-hp four-cylinder engine with a repeatedly variable computerized transmission and front-wheel drive—however the Soul continues to be good to drive because of its comfy journey and refined demeanor.
What’s New for 2024?
A brand new EX Designer package deal joins the lineup and affords 18-inch wheels and completely different inside trimmings. Kia additionally says that the non-obligatory sensible key now goes right into a sleep mode 40 seconds after locking the automobile in order that thieves cannot duplicate the important thing’s frequency.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
We just like the GT-Line mannequin, which affords a distinct tackle the Soul’s quirky look. It seems sportier than its stablemates, with its personal wheel design and body-color trim. It comes normal with driver-assistance options together with computerized emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep help, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
The one engine is a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which comes paired with a repeatedly variable computerized transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. On the take a look at monitor, our take a look at automobile wanted 8.0 seconds to achieve 60 mph, which is behind many rivals. However the Soul feels peppy round city, and the CVT willingly selects decrease gear ratios while you’re seeking to move somebody. Dealing with is not notably sharp, however the Soul’s mission isn’t to carve corners like a sports activities automobile. Most consumers will discover the Soul to supply a cushty journey with simply sufficient driving character to keep away from being bland.
Gas Financial system and Actual-World MPG
The Soul carries an EPA score as excessive as 35 mpg for freeway driving and as little as 27 mpg within the metropolis—not unhealthy for a seemingly non-aerodynamic field on wheels. The Nissan Kicks and the Hyundai Venue—its key rivals—provide comparable freeway numbers, however each outshine the Kia within the metropolis, attaining 31 and 30 mpg, respectively. In our 75-mph fuel-economy take a look at, the Soul managed 30 mpg. For extra details about the Soul’s gasoline financial system, go to the EPA’s website.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
The Soul’s upright physique gives a spacious inside with loads of room for folks and cargo. Kia designers have integrated sufficient youthful cheekiness inside to match the Soul’s fashion-forward exterior, together with textured door-panel inserts and colourful trim. Further goodies on provide embrace ambient lighting, a smartphone charging pad, a head-up show, push-button ignition with keyless entry, and heating for the seats and steering wheel. Kia additionally permits homeowners a specific amount of customization, with two-tone paint choices and a plethora of inside coloration schemes. Within the cargo space, the tall-roofed Soul gives sufficient house for seven carry-on suitcases; with the rear seats folded—it must be famous that they do not fold fully flat—we have been capable of match 20 circumstances. The Venue, with its smaller maintain and tighter rear seat house, managed to suit simply 4 behind the rear seat and 17 with the seats down.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is normal throughout the board, and all trims however the base mannequin obtain a big 10.3-inch show; the LX will get an 8.0-inch unit. Select a mannequin with the ten.3-incher and you will get niceties corresponding to SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, real-time visitors updates, in-dash navigation, and a wi-fi smartphone charging pad. Most fashions include a six-speaker stereo, however a Harman/Kardon setup is non-obligatory on the GT-Line mannequin.
Security and Driver-Help Options
Kia gives just a few normal driver-assistance options on the bottom Soul, however there’s extra accessible on the S mannequin and above. For extra details about the Soul’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embrace:
- Normal forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking
- Normal lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help
- Obtainable blind-spot monitoring and computerized high-beam headlamps
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
Whereas Kia has a well known 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee, Hyundai does it one higher by providing the identical protection plus three years of included scheduled upkeep.
- Restricted guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled upkeep
Specs
Specs
2020 Kia Soul X-Line
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$22,615 (base worth: $22,485)
ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, aluminum block and head, port gasoline injection
Displacement
122 cu in, 1999 cc
Energy
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque
132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
repeatedly variable computerized with guide shifting mode
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/torsion beam
Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/10.3-in disc
Tires: Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2, 235/45R-18 94V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 102.4 in
Size: 165.2 in
Width: 70.9 in
Top: 63.0 in
Passenger quantity: 101 cu ft
Cargo quantity: 24 cu ft
Curb weight: 2965 lb
C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 8.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 24.7 sec
Rolling begin, 5–60 mph: 8.2 sec
Prime gear, 30–50 mph: 4.2 sec
Prime gear, 50–70 mph: 5.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.4 sec @ 86 mph
Prime pace (governor restricted): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g
C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Noticed: 24 mpg
75-mph freeway driving: 30 mpg
Freeway vary: 420 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/metropolis/freeway: 30/27/33 mpg
Extra Options and Specs