2019 Kia Soul
The boxy Kia Soul hatchback is in the fifth year of its second generation. There are only minor changes for 2019, in advance of a new version coming for 2020. The Soul packs a remarkable amount of cargo space, as much as some crossovers, into its compact hatchback body. It's 163.0 inches long, with a 101.2-inch wheelbase.
The base Soul uses a 1.6-liter inline-4 that makes 130 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
The Soul Plus uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 161 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic that upshifts often and early. Automatic emergency braking is available on the Plus.
The Soul Exclaim uses a 1.6-liter turbo-4 making 201 horsepower, mated to a smooth 7-speed dual-clutch automatic manual transmission. After it gets past its turbo lag, the acceleration is brisk.
The EPA rates the base Soul at 25 mpg city, 30 highway, 27 combined with the 6-speed automatic, and virtually the same with the 6-speed manual.
The faster Soul Plus gets the same fuel economy, while the fastest Exclaim with the turbocharged engine gets the best mileage, 26/31/28 mpg. (There's a battery-electric Soul EV, which is only sold in a few states.)
The NHTSA gives the Soul five stars overall in its crash tests, and the IIHS gives it all top Good scores and a Top Safety Pick designation. That's quite an accomplishment for a compact car, a testament to quality engineering.
More optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, and forward-collision warnings. .
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The Soul packs a remarkable amount of cargo space, as much as some crossovers, into its compact hatchback body. It's 163.0 inches long, with a 101.2-inch wheelbase.
The base Soul uses a 1.6-liter inline-4 that makes 130 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
The Soul Plus uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 161 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic that upshifts often and early. Automatic emergency braking is available on the Plus.
The Soul Exclaim uses a 1.6-liter turbo-4 making 201 horsepower, mated to a smooth 7-speed dual-clutch automatic manual transmission. After it gets past its turbo lag, the acceleration is brisk.
The EPA rates the base Soul at 25 mpg city, 30 highway, 27 combined with the 6-speed automatic, and virtually the same with the 6-speed manual.
The faster Soul Plus gets the same fuel economy, while the fastest Exclaim with the turbocharged engine gets the best mileage, 26/31/28 mpg. (There's a battery-electric Soul EV, which is only sold in a few states.)
The NHTSA gives the Soul five stars overall in its crash tests, and the IIHS gives it all top Good scores and a Top Safety Pick designation. That's quite an accomplishment for a compact car, a testament to quality engineering.
More optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, and forward-collision warnings. .
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Engine | 1.6L I-4, 2.0L I-4 |
MPG | Up to 26 city / 31 highway |
Seating | 5 Passengers |
Transmission | 6-spd man w/OD, 6-spd w/OD, 7-spd auto-shift man w/OD |
Power | 130 - 201 hp |
Drivetrain | front-wheel |
Curb Weight | 2,884 - 3,232 lbs |