The 2020 Kia Soul is now entering its third generation this model
year, after spending a decade wowing buyers with its candor and happily edgy
presence. Other crossovers that sport very boxy appearances have made their way
to the market and flopped a bit, while the Soul continues to evolve with two
available engines, boosted cargo room, and an infotainment system that is
instantly appealing and versatile. Nicole Wakelin of Boston.com agreed
that the largest component of what makes the Soul attractive is its fun factor,
which begins in the design stage with a concept that doesn't look like every
other SUV out there on the road.
Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis
definitely agrees that the vehicle is cute no matter which of the six available
trims you choose, but each one definitely displays a distinct personality. The Boston.com
team spent their drive time in the sporty GT-Line, which gets unique front and rear fascia, 18-inch alloy
wheels, gloss black side mirrors, and red exterior accents. It comes standard
with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque that
the rest of the lineup sports, or you have the option of upgrading to the
1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The upgrade
provides quite a bit of power for the small-size car, and it makes for a quick,
responsive, and edgy handling that is responsive when you nail the gas, but
also surprisingly quiet. The team drove both engine variants and while the
smaller engine met their standards, they agreed that the turbocharged variant
keeps the excitement factor high, and you feel the added juice at every green
light. The fresh model flaunts the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
that possesses amazing power allocation, with smooth, quiet shifts. There are
an additional five cubic feet for your important stuff, and a lower liftgate
opening as well as dual-level cargo board to make better use of the available
space.
Front seats are
very supportive, and there's plenty of headroom for the taller individuals
along for the ride. Entertaining interior lighting is one thing the Soul is
really known for: this year there's an upgrade that offers a selection of six
available moods, including Midnight city, and Hey! Yo! Party Time. All except
the base trim included Kia's Drive Wise safety features, and among them are
forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane
change assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear
cross-traffic alert, and smart cruise control. This review of next year's Soul from Car
and Driver claims to boot that it is “instantly recognizable, iconic,
and increasingly ubiquitous”, while praising it for being affordable, solid,
and roomy!
