WASHINGTON — The Kia Soul is one of those rides that is hard to classify into a car category. Is it a small crossover or a small wagon?
One thing is clear: It stands out in a crowd. It doesn’t look like much else on the road these days. Its uniqueness has really paid off for Kia over the years.
I have driven several Kia Soul models, and it’s a very solid car/crossover wagon. My daughter always enjoys when a “hamster” car shows up. So what’s new for 2017?
Powerful and quick is not something I recall writing about the Soul, but for this year that’s changing.
A new turbo engine helps move this little box with authority. There is a hint of turbo lag when accelerating from a stop, but you don’t notice it once underway. The 201 hp turbo engine is only available on the top trim level Soul starting at $23,000, so the extra power doesn’t really break the bank.
You can also add a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that acts like a normal automatic most of the time. Sometimes, it feels a little different — more like a manual transmission when starting from a stop in some situations.
This little Soul handles much better than I thought it would, taking care of back roads with ease. Driving it around town was easy, with plenty of pep to keep up with traffic, and the steering was light when maneuvering it in tight spaces. You might feel the road a bit more than some other small crossovers but it’s never tiring or harsh. Gas mileage is decent. I managed 28.2 mpg and just about what the sticker says.
Outside, the 2017 Soul looks racier than I can remember. The front end is a bit more rounded and more menacing and less happy in the top Soul trim level. There are large fog lights at the bottom of the front end and a red racing stripe. That stripe goes around the entire lower body of the car.
The Kia Soul isn’t a large car, so those wheels seem to be stretched to the ends of the body and with the rear wheel wells integrated into the rear fascia area. It seems less boxy than before but not enough to turn off current owners. I think it’s just enough to make the Soul a bit more modern. Larger 18-inch wheels are part of the top trim level and are stylish but might also be a pain to keep clean with ten spokes. The rear end styling is still funky with those large light clusters running up the length of the rear hatch.
Inside, it is spacious for a small vehicle with good head and leg room for those up front and those riding in the back seat. The tester came with $125 floor mats and no other options. But the standard leather/cloth seats did a nice job of keeping it comfortable.
Heated seats and steering wheel don’t come standard and are part of larger $3,000 Technology package. But you do get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. There is also a seven-inch touchscreen with rearview camera that helps park this little crossover in small spaces. NAV isn’t standard but both ApplePlay and Andriod Auto are standard so you bring and integrate your phones NAV thru the infotainment system of the Soul.
There is a mix of hard and soft touch materials in the cabin but it seems that soft materials are where arms and hands tend to rest or touch. The arm rest on the door seemed too low for me but the soft touch materials were a nice touch. I also wish the large optional panoramic sunroof didn’t require you to have the pricey Tech package just to get the roof.
You can now add spirited to the funky Kia Soul for 2017. With a new turbo engine and racy dual clutch transmission the new Soul is practical fun that won’t break the bank to buy or run. With space for five this is a small yet useful compact crossover that stands out in the crowd.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
