The Kia Soul is a hatchback (or subcompact SUV if you prefer) that seats five. It has received consistent yearly upgrades since it made its initial appearance in 2008, culminating in the 2020 Kia Soul. This latest iteration has been completely redesigned, gaining more active safety features, more interior and cargo space, peppier engines, and new exterior and interior styling accents.
Compact Comfort: A Closer Look at the 2020 Kia Soul
The 2020 Kia Soul is available in seven flavors; LX, S, X-Line, EX, GT Line, and the GT Line Turbo. Each equipment level is well kitted, and most offer optional upgrade packages that add even more kit.
If you’re into alternative powertrains, you’ll be delighted to know that a fully electric model is available in the Soul EV. The EV is available in two trims, the base Soul EV, and the Soul EV Designer Collection.
Interior & Cargo Space
The Kia’s seats are comfortable and supportive. Thanks to the commanding seating positions and the pliable suspension, you’ll have a good view of the road and little knowledge of its imperfections no matter where you sit.
Every Soul comes with an excellent UVO infotainment system. A 7-inch touch screen and a six-speaker audio system come standard, but these can be upgraded to a massive 10.25-inch unit, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system.
Cargo
The Soul offers a generous 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. This can easily fit a cooler and some beach chairs, or the entirety of your family’s vacation luggage. Fold the second row, and space increases to a cavernous 62 cubic feet.
Engines & Powertrain
Every Soul save for the GT Line Turbo is available with an Atkinson cycle 2.0-liter inline-four that chugs out 147 horsepower and 132-pound feet of torque. This engine motivates the Soul from 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds.
In lieu of the previous model’s six-speed automatic, the Atkinson inline-four can be mated to either a silky CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or a six-speed manual. Unlike older CVT’s however, this one mimics fixed gear ratios, therefore preventing the engine from revving out of sync with the car’s acceleration.
Turbo Four
As noted above, the GT Line Turbo is the only Soul that doesn’t come with the 2.0-liter engine. It is instead available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. You have the option of pairing it to a seven-speed dual-clutch, which turns the 8.0 second 0-60mph run of the Atkinson to a 6.4-second affair.
Soul EV
The fully electric Kia Soul ditches internal combustion power plants in favor of a 201 horsepower electric motor. A gear reduction setup channels power to the wheels. This drivetrain earns the Soul a 127mpg highway efficiency rating, which in turn translates to a total range of about 243 miles.
Safety Features
The Kia Soul is available with a suite of active and passive safety features. These include a forward-collision warning system, pedestrian detection, automatic forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, parking assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, driver drowsiness monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
The Kia Soul is just about perfect for anyone looking for a subcompact SUV. A suite of driver assists, safety features, a silky smooth powertrain, and a comfortable ride help keep it above the competition. Contact Darcars Kia of Frederick today to learn more.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.