Alas, after three generations, the Kia Soul goes off into automotive heaven. This quirky hatchback grew up with the Kia brand, often serving as the car most associated with. Most importantly, it saw Kia’s glow up from a value player to an industry leader. From the humble yet stylish first generation to the stylish and tech-packed third iteration, the Soul evolved with the times.
I spent plenty of time with this quirky hatchback-crossover while working at MotorTrend. I even went to the media introduction of the first turbocharged model! This car is close to me, and I’ve seen it mature into a formidable car. Although the third-generation model will be the focus of this piece, lessons learned from its predecessors helped it become a hidden gem among affordable vehicles. Most importantly, it demonstrated just how quickly Hyundai Motor Group’s engineering had become a formidable force in the automotive industry. One drive of the entire third-generation Soul lineup was all it took.
Kia Soul: Simple Yet Sophisticated
The third-generation Soul modernized the nameplate’s iconic style. Featuring a techy, futuristic design that complements its boxy profile, this tall hatchback commands attention. It also packs plenty of substance thanks to its great driving dynamics. While not a performance car by any means, this little guy takes simple underpinnings and makes magic out of them. A humble MacPherson strut front and a torsion beam in the rear, tuned masterfully, result in a firm yet compliant ride. It’s proof that simplicity prevails over extreme complication. Harsh impacts and expansion joints? Easily dispatched without making it feel like your back just got jolted.
Complementing the Soul’s great ride is its surprising handling. Despite its boxy shape and high center of gravity, this little guy happily darts through traffic and takes corners. Well-controlled body motions and accurate steering give the front-drive only Soul a fun, spirited personality. On top of that, brakes that inspire confidence help add a sense of assurance when you’re hustling in the city or detouring through the twisties. The GT-Line Turbo, sold from 2020 to 2022, even came with larger discs all around, enhancing its sporty feel.
Lively and Soulful
No matter which powertrain you got, the third-generation Soul didn’t compromise. The standard 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder and CVT never felt underpowered in any situation. This setup responded immediately, and the transmission always brought the engine to its sweet spot, making it feel lively. Best of all, the CVT lacked the rubber band-like sensation, adding to its directness and smoothness.
On the other hand, the sporty turbocharged variants had a familiar 1.6-liter turbo-four with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, this punchy little hatchback hit 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds in instrumented testing at several buff books. You felt it, too. The Soul Turbo accelerated with very little effort thanks to its generous low- to mid-range torque. The transmission snapped off shifts quickly and assertively, resulting in a lively drive. However, its downfalls also came from its gearbox. In manual mode, it responded lazily, while low-speed city driving caused it to get jolty and clunky.
Hip and High-Tech
The Soul always gave you a lot, especially once you step inside its cabin. The exceptional passenger space comfortably accommodates five people, including taller individuals. All with plenty of cargo space to spare, too. That’s with the rear seats up. Folding the rear seats gives you cargo space that rivals compact SUVs, belying its tidy footprint. On top of that, the solid fit and finish further adds to the Soul’s class-above feel. It’s well insulated, too, meaning the cabin stays surprisingly quiet on the highway despite its space.
Kia didn’t skimp on the tech either. The third-generation Soul got the latest infotainment system with user-friendly controls. Higher trims also have a snappy 10.25-inch touchscreen that’s vivid and has a simple layout. On top of that, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system brings an epic listening experience. Plus, the ambient lighting pulses with the tunes and elevates the Soul’s personality.
The Soul’s driver assistance features stood out, too. Even though it had an older iteration of Hyundai-Kia’s suite, it worked better than systems in pricier vehicles. Heck, its lane centering and steering assist seamlessly kept you in from wandering and even took turns with ease. Its adaptiver cruise control also stood out for how well it keep distance and smooth operation. As a result, the Soul exuded a techy aura that highlighted just how high it punched above its weight. Truly a vehicle that gave you a lot for not much.
Kia Soul: A Whole Lot of (Compact) Car
Small in stature but big in personality, the Soul highlighted innovative thinking at Kia. From its quirky yet versatile style to its comfortable yet spritely driving personality, this car is sure to make you smile. Add the legendary dancing hamsters and later on, a quirky chameleon commercial, and you get a car that just can’t be ignored.
Despite sales declining from its peak of just over 154,000 units in 2016, the Soul elevated the Kia brand. It did so through design, powerful marketing, and value. This little hatchback helped raise brand awareness and came backed with plenty of substance at an affordable price. Think of it as the ultimate reverse halo, a desirable product that’s also attainable. So pour one out for the Kia Soul, a true working-class hero packed with style and substance.
