With the
crossover SUV craze in full swing the last few years, we would have to heartily
agree with Lawrence Ulrich of Gear Patrol with the sentiment that
Detroit automakers have seemed to ignore the rewards of creating an affordable,
versatile, yet distinctive small car. Since 2009, the Kia
Soul has sold more than 1 million units around the globe, and it's easy to
see why. The 2020 model continues the Soul's transformation into a bit more of
a grown-up crossover without reworking its originally successful formula: a
space maximized for cargo and passengers, and design with attention to even the
tiniest details.
The staff on duty
at Gear Patrol enjoyed the quality and look of the very slim new
headlamps, aptly perched underneath a hood that is a bit like what you'd find
on the outback-capable and very distinct Range Rover. Inside, the etchings on
genuine metal front-door trim do a good job of catching natural light, which
makes them appear as if they were lit up from below. Lawrence reflected that
this is a touch even Lexus or Audi would be proud to claim, as extreme
upper-end prowess and distinction still are evoked in cars such as this
designed for the budget-minded.
With rear seats
raised or folded flat, you'll see 24-and 62 cubic feet of storage, much more
than similar subcompact crossovers. The Soul actually doubles the Mazda CX-3's
cargo space behind the second row, and boasts 50 percent more overall capacity,
even though it's 3.1 inches shorter than the Mazda. Up from 5.9 inches on last
year's model, ground clearance now resides at 6.7 inches. Fans of the manual
transmission have been a little frustrated as of late: there have not been many
recent offerings that cater to their wants. The Soul LX trim level offers the
six-speed manual stick shift, and all other trim levels sport the Intelligent
Variable Transmission.
The engine on
deck is a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that runs on the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle,
with 147
horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is the replacement for not just the
1.6-liter that powered the
previous starter model, but the older 2.0-liter that was situated at 164 hp output. High
gains are also made in the all-important Fuel economy category, to 29/35 mpg in city and highway,
and a 3.4 mpg jump over the old 2.0-liter. The testing crew opted for the tough streets of
Brooklyn to try out the all-new platform and suspension geometry and noticed a smart
fit, less road noise, as well as a stress-free and practical infotainment
system. Here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we pride
ourselves on autos that offer up the best in warranty options,
newest and greatest safety features, and stellar reviews such as this one!
