The New Kia Soul

The new Kia Soul is a great car that has excellent safety and reliability scores.  If you’re looking to buy a compact car that has a lot of interior space, the new Kia Soul is a fabulous choice.  The Kia is available with a lot of options, which enables car buyers to truly customize the car and make it their own.  U.S. News and World Report’s recently ranked it as the best compact and hatchback for families.

The Basics

The Soul is an outstanding option for buyers on a budget.  Especially because it has a lot of features and only retails for a starting MSRP of $15,900. At 24.2 cubic feet, the Soul has great cargo space. It is more than enough for a big grocery trip or weekend road trips.  When the rear seats are folded, there is 61.3 cubic feet of cargo space.  The base model is fitted with a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower, matched with optional six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gear.

Features

The 2020 base model is fitted with a lot of base features and lots of features you can add on at a cost

The standard features are:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB port
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• 4″ touch screen

The add on features are:

• Infotainment system
• Keyless entry
• Rear view camera
• Voice-controlled navigation
• 8-inch display screen
• Infinity audio system
• Push-button start
• Start-stop engine
• Automatic climate control
• Leather seats

Also available in the Soul are powerful Safety features.  The vehicle was proclaimed as a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute on Highway Safety and issued an overall safety rating of five-star from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Compared To Competition

Ranking just below the Honda Civic and Mazda3 on U.S. News and World Report’s compact car ratings, the Kia Soul is truly a great car.  It stands out from its competitors for its cargo space and mind-blowing interior. However, compared to its competitors it lags when it comes to performance and power.

Fuel Economy

Conservative cars are known for their superior fuel efficiency, and the 2020 Kia Soul is no exemption.  The Soul gives an EPA-assessed 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.  You can expect this MPG even if you  upgrade to the more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offering 164 horsepower.

Advantages And Disadvantages

The Kia Soul wins high scores for its dependability, safety ratings, and cargo space.  Its main disadvantage  is that it lags in performance and power when compared to its competitors.  Another disadvantage is that a lot of the features are add-ons, which will cost you more money.

If you are still on the fence about the Kia Soul then you should visit a dealership.  You will be able to see the car in person and take it for a test drive.  This will help you determine if it is the right car for you.