A unique and curvaceous hatchback, the Kia Soul seats five with plenty of room and is offered in three trims: Base, + and !. Standard equipment includes 16” wheels (steel), powered and heated mirrors, hill-start assist system, privacy glass in the rear, cloth seating, 60/40-split-folding rear bench, Bluetooth/USB/iPod integration and a six-speaker audio system. Upgrade to the + or ! trim and enjoy added creature comforts like 17” or 18” alloy wheels, remote entry/start, various interior additions (like a front armrest with storage area), HD radio, GPS system with 8” touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, fog lights, roof rack, powered front seats, climate control, xenon headlamps, leather seating and upgraded gauge cluster, amongst countless other possible upgrades. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Soul, making 130 hp and 118 pound-feet of torque. This can be upgraded to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Soul comes with a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
2015 model year changes
The Kia Soul was redesigned last year, so for this year it's mostly the same save for a few small changes to several options and amenities. The most notable upgrades have been made to Kia's UVO eServices, which feature several updates making the system more robust, with increased app compatibility. Other changes include a new set of interior colors available on 'Exclaim' trimmed Souls.
A new electric-powered Soul arrives for 2015. Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, it pushes the diminutive Soul for a claimed 92 miles on a charge. The Soul EV will come in both base and Plus (+) trims.
Competitive comparison
Trend-setting style; boxy design opens up lot of passenger space; versatility for cargo; improved ride and handling; a feature set unlike other compact cars
Special features for 2015
The Soul remains one of the more affordable vehicles on the market, priced in line with other compact sedans, very well-equipped and quite fuel-efficient. With the Soul's tiny parking footprint, it's very easy to maneuver and park, still packing impressive interior space thanks to the boxy profile. Adults can fit comfortably in the back seat, which isn't the case with most other vehicles this size.
Safety features also get a boost in the new Soul-- the stronger structure has already been proven with Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick status plus a federal 5-star overall rating.
