The crossover segment is one that we have no doubt
had constant eyes on here at Jim Butler:
value, style, and space have always been traits considered when ranking a
standout model, and expectations are changing every year. We fully admit that
just as the writers at Autoblog.com penned this past week, some
may have thought of our Soul
as a “boxy oddball with few competitors.” Today, as the subcompact crossover
segment has literally risen up around it, this is a model that remains a very
well-rounded choice and full of character.
The 2020 Soul is the all-new third-generation
model, abiding by the same successful formula as the models before it. The
proportions that were trademark to its success have been well-maintained, and
while sporting a bit more cargo capacity and few extra inches in length, the
dimensions inside and out are consistent. New differences in styling include
the wraparound LED taillights, the Kia grille that's been heavily enlarged and
moved to the lower bumper, and a completely new design for the cabin that wraps
behind the dashboard between the doors, and was billed by the Autoblog staff
as “Very Jaguar.”
The Soul-X Line provides a bit more rugged of a
stance for our brimming-with-tech and very influential crossover line, and the
GT version is the sporty offering that features the turbocharged engine
upgrade. The brand-new CVT transmission has played a part in the drastic
improvement of fuel economy, and the first thing that many who have made the
trip inside to test drive have noticed right away is the triangular patterns in
the doors, and other funky traits like tweeters situated inside the air vents.
All necessary controls have an impressive appearance and are still easily
reached, and the 7-inch touchscreen is not a piece of equipment that requires
you to take out a college loan to effectively figure out!
The Soul's tall height and body shape leave it
with a bit more passenger and cargo room than most, and the rear seat legroom
overtakes most of its competitors by a pretty hefty amount, making it far more
appropriate to carry four full-sized adults onboard. The boxy shape that was
one of the Soul's most recognizable and distinct traits from the beginning makes
it far more useful than a vehicle such as the Toyota C-HR, and you can ask us
here at Jim Butler of St Louis
about the 1.6-Liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that cranks out 201 horsepower and
195 lb-ft of torque. Paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual, it nails
down 27 mpg city, and 33 mpg highway. This is the engine that auto journalists
feel “blows the doors off its competitors” not only in terms of pure output,
but also with its consistent smooth mid-range torque provision!
