2020 Kia Soul Review
A decade ago, before "subcompact crossover" entered the general public lexicon, a couple of bizarre imports defied traditional classification. Were the Honda Element, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Scion xB hatchbacks, wagons or SUVs? It's still hard to mention. But we do know that the Soul, which is that the only vehicle of the batch still around, shows that Kia features a successful formula on its hands size of kia telluride.
The 2020 Kia Soul, which is fully redesigned this year, features a lot going for it. Drivers in congested urban areas will enjoy its nimble size, responsive engine, and controlled ride over bumpy pavement. Outside the town, the Soul shines with crisp handling and responsive steering. you'll up the Soul's fun factor even more by equipping it with a punchy turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned suspension telluride kia release.
No matter where you reside, the Soul's roomy cabin and useful cargo space make it an ideal everyday car. We also like its competitive pricing, which undercuts most rivals without sacrificing interior materials quality or feature content.
As with any budget-priced small car, there are a couple of drawbacks. All-wheel drive isn't available, which could be a deal-breaker for buyers in places that have icy or snowy road conditions. which sport-tuned Soul, the GT-Line Turbo, suffers from a clunky-shifting transmission and a harsh ride quality. But overall we expect the 2020 Kia Soul rises above other subcompact crossovers because of its blend of practicality, affordability, and emphasis on fun.
Our verdict
The redesigned Kia Soul features a lot going for it. Its boxy shape gives it a seriously roomy passenger cabin and plenty of cargo space. it is also quite fun to drive, with above-average handling abilities and an intuitive CVT automatic. Minor grievances aside, this small SUV is one among the simplest out there.
How does it drive?
Maximum acceleration from the two .0-liter engine may be a little lacking, but the Soul feels perfectly spry around town. The steering is natural, and cornering abilities are better than expected. In most cases, the CVT automatic seems like a standard automatic. In Edmunds track testing, the Soul posted a 0-60 mph time of 8.8 seconds, which may be a respectable time for a touch SUV.
The steering features a light-weight effort that builds up naturally once you move from center. The Soul has cornering abilities almost like sportier rivals like the Mazda CX-3 and Mini Countryman. the sole true downside is that the touchy pedal , which takes some getting wont to . The brake response builds too quickly, so you've got to be smooth on the brakes to avoid lurching. Unlike another subcompacts, the Soul doesn't offer all-wheel drive.
How comfortable is it?
Despite a scarcity of adjustments, the front seats don't reveal any pressure points even after you have been sitting for hours. The rear seatback angle is fixed but is about at a cushty angle. The ride is firm and controlled but never harsh. Unlike some rivals, the Soul doesn't shudder like it's falling apart when it's driven over square-edge bumps.
The X-Line's single-zone manual climate control is basic, and rear passengers might run a touch warm because there are not any rear air vents at this trim level. The upright windshield generates a clear — but not irritating — level of wind noise, and a few tire noise is clear , too. Simulated gearshifts mean the engine doesn't drone at full throttle like other CVT automatics.
How’s the interior?
From an ergonomic standpoint, the straightforward interior design means there's not much to ruin . Navigating through touchscreen menus is straightforward because of an intuitive interface and physical buttons for high-level functions. A height-adjustable front seat and a generous range of wheel adjustment help accommodate drivers of all sizes.
The tall roof and wide door openings allow quick access to the front and rear of the deceptively large cabin. There's many headroom and legroom ahead and back — four adults will haven't any problem taking road trips. All windows are tall and narrow with the exception of the tiny , upturned window within the rear three-quarters view.
How’s the tech?
The X-Line, like most Soul trim levels, features a basic six-speaker sound system . Without a fanatical subwoofer, bassy sounds begin of the speakers but lack punch. a minimum of the speakers don't rattle at high volume. At this trim level, there's just one USB port, but it's illuminated so you'll see it in the dark . Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
A blind-spot monitor is standard on the X-Line. If you'll do without the X-Line's styling upgrades, the less costly S and therefore the 2.0-liter GT-Line both accompany automatic emergency braking and lane departure mitigation. More features, like a second USB port, navigation and voice controls, are available if you pay extra for a special trim.
How’s the storage?
The Soul features a deep cargo well that provides it more cargo room than other small SUVs, though it's weird you cannot get a cargo cover on X-Line and lower trims. Though this configuration has impressive volume (24.2 cubic feet), there is a large hump at the bottom of the rear seats once you fold them, which limits utility.
Storage space is decent for the category , with front-seat occupants receiving an honest number of bins and cubbies. Installing a seat is hard despite a roomy back seat — the anchors are inset quite far and access to the tethers is hampered by this trim's non-adjustable headrests.
How economical is it?
The EPA rates the CVT automatic-equipped Soul at 30 mpg combined (27 city/33 highway), which is slightly better than most competitors. However, we weren't ready to replicate these numbers in real world . Over 350 miles of driving (100 of which were on the highway at an inexpensive pace), we averaged just 26.8 mpg.
Is it a good value?
The Soul is sort of inexpensive for a subcompact SUV. A midtrim model especially comes with a bunch of features but is missing a couple of key amenities like adjustable rear headrests. Most buyers would be better served by the marginally costlier but far more feature-rich EX trim. As usual, Kia's warranty is class-leading.
Which Soul does Edmunds recommend?
If you're typically driving solo or with one passenger, the S model may be a perfectly fine thanks to go. For more family- or friend-oriented duty, the EX is what you would like . alongside plenty of additional convenience features, it adds a rear armrest and adjustable headrests (less expensive models accompany fixed headrests). you furthermore may get a cargo cover and a removable cargo floor, which helps create a flat load space once you lower the rear seats.
Kia Soul models
The 2020 Kia Soul is out there in LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and GT-Line Turbo models. The trim structure is surprisingly confusing, with the X-Line, GT-Line and EX models all building off the S trim instead of one another. The LX is quite basic, but selecting the continuously variable automatic drive (CVT) adds a couple of extra features. The S primarily adds advanced driver safety aids. The X-Line is that the rugged-looking variant, while the GT-Line gives off a sporty vibe. Finally, the EX adds extra luxury features, and therefore the GT-Line Turbo may be a combination of the GT-Line and EX trims plus a more powerful engine 2020 kia soul ev.
Most Souls are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb-ft). The LX comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. A CVT automatic is optional on the LX and standard on all other trims with the two .0-liter engine. The GT-Line Turbo features a powertrain unique to the present model: a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (201 hp, 195 lb-ft) paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic drive. All Souls are front-wheel-drive, and all-wheel drive isn't available.
The base LX model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, rear privacy glass, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a six-speaker sound system. Standard safety features include a rearview camera and a hill start assist.
Selecting the LX model with the CVT automatic also adds an engine stop-start feature, body-colored mirrors and door handles, remote locking/unlocking, control, selectable driving modes, and a storage console under the armrest.
Stepping up to the S trim gets you alloy wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery, and a lengthy list of advanced driver aids. These include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and a drowsy driver attention warning system.
The X-Line is that the rugged-looking model, with unique 18-inch wheels, special exterior body cladding, foglights, silver mirror caps, roof rails, the LX's cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped wheel. It lacks a couple of the S trim's driving aids, however, and only has the blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
The GT-Line adds sporty exterior accents, different 18-inch wheels, foglights, gloss-black mirrors, a triangle-pattern grille, and therefore the leather-wrapped wheel. The forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and drowsy driver warning systems are standard here. A sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, a wireless charging pad, and therefore the blind-spot monitor are available via the GT-Line Sunroof package.
The EX model gains 17-inch wheels, upgraded headlights, LED daytime running lights, foglights, a triangle-pattern grille, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, a wireless charging pad, a second USB port, a rear center armrest, adjustable rear headrests, a removable cargo floor, and a cargo cover. The infotainment system also gets an upgrade, with a 10.3-inch screen, HD and satellite radio, voice recognition, and a navigation system. All of the advanced safety features are standard also.
The top-trim GT-Line Turbo essentially blends the GT-Line's appearance with the EX's features, then adds the more powerful turbocharged engine. Feature content is just like the EX, except for the GT-Line's 18-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting (head-, tail- and foglights), a chrome exhaust, a sunroof, LED interior lighting, cloth and pretend leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated wheel, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The GT-Line Turbo also has pedestrian detection for the forward collision system, adaptive control, and a head-up display.
2020 Kia Soul Price
- 2020 Kia soul S MSRP $20.290
- 2020 kia soul Gt MSRP $20.290
- 2020 kia soul X-Line MSRP $21.490
- 2020 kia soul EX MSRP $22.690
- 2020 kia soul Gt-Line Turbo MSRP $27.490
- 2020 kia soul lx MSRP $17.490
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Soul safety features:
Forward Collision-Avoidance
Warns you of stopped or rapidly slowing vehicles ahead and automatically applies the brakes if you do not respond.
Lane Keep Assist
Warns you as you begin to drift from your lane. Automatically applies pressure to the wheel to guide you back to the lane.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Alerts you to vehicles either in your blind spot or rapidly approaching within the next lane using lights located within the side mirrors.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Driver 5 / 5
Passenger 4 / 5
Overall 5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall 3 / 5
Driver 5 / 5
Passenger 5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat 5 / 5
Back Seat 5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover 4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result No Tip
Risk Of Rollover 14.7%
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall 4 / 5Driver 5 / 5
Passenger 4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall 5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall 3 / 5
Driver 5 / 5
Passenger 5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat 5 / 5
Back Seat 5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover 4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result No Tip
Risk Of Rollover 14.7%
Kia Soul vs. the competition
Kia Soul vs. Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is one among our favorite small hatchbacks, with an honest amount of room and clever storage solutions that allow it to hold quite you would possibly think. The Kia Soul is costlier, but its cargo deck is larger and therefore the cabin is more accommodating for giant passengers. The Soul also feels far more up-to-date than the aging Fit.
Compare Kia Soul & Honda Fit features⇒
The Soul may be a better all-rounder, but there is no denying the charm of the Jeep Renegade. Jeep's smallest SUV looks rough-and-tumble but is pretty comfortable and roomy. All trims are available with all-wheel drive, but the top-trim Trailhawk features true four-wheel drive and low-range gearing. to find out more about the Renegade of this generation, read Edmunds' long-term trial of a 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk.
Compare Kia Soul & Jeep Renegade features⇒
The Soul's biggest competition comes from its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Kona. just like the Soul, the Kona is roomy, fun to drive, and competitively priced. the 2 small crossovers are quite similar, with styling and therefore the base powertrain being the sole true differences. (The Kona uses a standard automatic drive instead of a CVT automatic).
Compare Kia Soul & Hyundai Kona features⇒
Compare Kia Soul & Honda Fit features⇒
Kia Soul vs. Jeep Renegade
The Soul may be a better all-rounder, but there is no denying the charm of the Jeep Renegade. Jeep's smallest SUV looks rough-and-tumble but is pretty comfortable and roomy. All trims are available with all-wheel drive, but the top-trim Trailhawk features true four-wheel drive and low-range gearing. to find out more about the Renegade of this generation, read Edmunds' long-term trial of a 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk.
Compare Kia Soul & Jeep Renegade features⇒
Kia Soul vs. Hyundai Kona
Compare Kia Soul & Hyundai Kona features⇒