2021 Kia Soul

2021 Soul Photos
The 2021 Kia Soul is very much an evolution of a car that debuted more than a decade ago as an answer to tall, boxy hatchbacks like the Scion xB and Nissan Cube. The basic concept really hasn't changed much despite the Soul now being in its third generation (it was redesigned last year) and undergoing numerous improvements to its refinement and feature content. And yet, while the Scions and Cubes of the world have died out, an entirely new segment of vehicles has arisen in recent years that pretty much follow the Soul's playbook. Except they aren't considered tall, boxy hatchbacks, they're subcompact SUVs. And if you ask us, the Kia Soul is one of your best choices in the segment it arguably created. It even won an Autoblog comparison test that also featured the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V. There are other competitors to be sure, which is one reason why we can't definitely crown the Soul the best pick (that it does not offer all-wheel drive would be another). Nevertheless, the Soul's combination of value, space, driving dynamics and distinctive character make it stand out in an increasingly large crowd. The Soul Turbo model also boasts best-in-class power along with a low price considering all the equipment you get. Indeed, that price might be the most compelling element of all: Although the Soul may be the same in basic concept as those subcompact SUVs, it's considerably cheaper. What's new for 2021? The X-Line and GT-Line get revised shock valves to improve the ride, while the turbocharged engine is now only available on the new, aptly named Soul Turbo model (it was previously an option on the GT-Line). It should also be noted that one member of the family we expected to see at some point last year will never actually make it to the United States: the Soul Electric. Turns out, it will not be sold here, and instead Kia's electric choices will be the Niro EV and upcoming EV6. What are the Kia Soul interior and in-car technology like? It's a shame that Kia didn't make the interior as fun and characterful as the exterior. It certainly funks things up a bit with triangular patterns in the doors, a squircle-shaped center infotainment pod and tweeters nestled into triangular air vents, but apart from the GT-Line and Turbo (see below), it's all rendered in various shades of black or dark grey, effectively hiding them in a colorless, drab interior. Come on Kia, you can do better. On the other hand, characterful interiors can also be ergonomically challenging (see Mini), and like other Kias, the Soul impresses with simple and easily reached controls — including the standard 7-inch touchscreen. The Turbo gets the 10.25-inch display shown below, which is basically the same interface with the enhanced functionality afforded by its widescreen layout. With either, you thankfully don't need to be a member of this car's Millennial (or younger) audience to figure the thing out. Apple CarPlay …
Full Review
The 2021 Kia Soul is very much an evolution of a car that debuted more than a decade ago as an answer to tall, boxy hatchbacks like the Scion xB and Nissan Cube. The basic concept really hasn't changed much despite the Soul now being in its third generation (it was redesigned last year) and undergoing numerous improvements to its refinement and feature content. And yet, while the Scions and Cubes of the world have died out, an entirely new segment of vehicles has arisen in recent years that pretty much follow the Soul's playbook. Except they aren't considered tall, boxy hatchbacks, they're subcompact SUVs. And if you ask us, the Kia Soul is one of your best choices in the segment it arguably created. It even won an Autoblog comparison test that also featured the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V. There are other competitors to be sure, which is one reason why we can't definitely crown the Soul the best pick (that it does not offer all-wheel drive would be another). Nevertheless, the Soul's combination of value, space, driving dynamics and distinctive character make it stand out in an increasingly large crowd. The Soul Turbo model also boasts best-in-class power along with a low price considering all the equipment you get. Indeed, that price might be the most compelling element of all: Although the Soul may be the same in basic concept as those subcompact SUVs, it's considerably cheaper. What's new for 2021? The X-Line and GT-Line get revised shock valves to improve the ride, while the turbocharged engine is now only available on the new, aptly named Soul Turbo model (it was previously an option on the GT-Line). It should also be noted that one member of the family we expected to see at some point last year will never actually make it to the United States: the Soul Electric. Turns out, it will not be sold here, and instead Kia's electric choices will be the Niro EV and upcoming EV6. What are the Kia Soul interior and in-car technology like? It's a shame that Kia didn't make the interior as fun and characterful as the exterior. It certainly funks things up a bit with triangular patterns in the doors, a squircle-shaped center infotainment pod and tweeters nestled into triangular air vents, but apart from the GT-Line and Turbo (see below), it's all rendered in various shades of black or dark grey, effectively hiding them in a colorless, drab interior. Come on Kia, you can do better. On the other hand, characterful interiors can also be ergonomically challenging (see Mini), and like other Kias, the Soul impresses with simple and easily reached controls — including the standard 7-inch touchscreen. The Turbo gets the 10.25-inch display shown below, which is basically the same interface with the enhanced functionality afforded by its widescreen layout. With either, you thankfully don't need to be a member of this car's Millennial (or younger) audience to figure the thing out. Apple CarPlay …
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Retail Price

$17,590 - $27,650 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 1.6L I-4, 2.0L I-4
MPG Up to 29 city / 35 highway
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 6-spd man w/OD, 7-spd auto-shift man w/OD, Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) 2-spd CVT w/OD
Power 147 - 201 hp
Drivetrain front-wheel
Curb Weight 2,802 - 3,036 lbs
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