FUNKY is what Kia stands for. It is bold enough to incorporate irrational design elements into its cars. It has a distinctive set of lineup which is both fun to drive and funky in design. Kia says that it focuses on the current generation drivers and so that's what is depicted in their design language.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
With a rather unconventional boxy design and sleek headlights, Kia is bold enough to bring out creativity in design. The highlighting feature of Kia Soul is how well contradicting features are put in harmony. It also made sure that equal weight be given to aesthetics and powertrains.
The Soul is powered by two sets of engine-powertrain setups. The base and most of the line up is powered by a 2.0L naturally aspirated inline-4 pumping out a generous 147 horses and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is coupled to either an old-school 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT transmission which Kia calls Intelligent Variable Transmission(IVT). The GT-Line Turbo is the trim on steroids with a turbocharged 1.6L inline 4 which pumps out 201 horses and is coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
2020 Kia Soul Front View
2020 Kia Soul Rear View
8.0/10 Features
5.0/10 Engine and Performance
6.0/10 Fuel Economy
8.6/10 Interior
8.0/10 Exterior
7.0/10 Safety
2020 Kia Soul Features
8.0/10
Kia has defended their late arrival in the market with a funky lineup. According to the automaker, it’s focused on the young and energetic new generation. This is graciously visible from the Kia Soul which boldly flaunts the new sleek design and predominant curves while retaining its boxy shape. The Soul is available in six variable trims which have varying characteristics.
A 2.0L inline-four naturally aspirated engine dominates most of the lineup with a 1.6L turbocharged inline-four only available for the top of the line trim. The power is transmitted via a 6-speed manual for the old-school. A much more potent 7-speed Dual Clutch to handle the extra power from the 1.6L Turbo pot.
All the trims have their fair share of features to keep it appealing for the audience. The base variant doesn’t boast many features but has android auto and apple car play, automatic headlamps and a 7- inch infotainment system to start with.
Trims
LX
S
GT-Line
X-Line
EX
GT-Line Turbo
MSRP (Mannual)
$17,490
$20,290
-
-
-
-
MSRP (CVT)
$18,990
$27,490
$20,290
$21,490
$22,690
$27,490
Key Features
6-Speed Manual Transmission
All the Features in LX included and
All the Features in S included and
All the Features in GT-Line included and
All the Features in X-Line included and
All the Features in EX included and
7-inch Touch Screen Display
Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSW)
18-inch alloy wheels
Fog lamps
10.25-inch touch screen with navigation system
7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters
Privacy Glass
Intelligent Variable Transmission(IVT)
High Gloss Black Exterior Trim
Roof Trim
LED Positioning Lights
Chrome Tipped Center Exhaust
Rear Camera Display
Lane Keeping Assist
(LKA)
Unique Exterior Appearance including red accents.
Rugged Black Exterior Trim
Heated Outside Mirrors
Sunroof
All around power windows
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist.
17- inch wheels
SOFINO and Cloth seat trim
Push Button Start
Harman Kardon premium Audio
10-way power-adjustable driver seat
Heads up display
Driver Attention Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control
Which candy should you go for?
The EX trim is the best bargain of the lot as it comes loaded with all of the much-needed safety features as standard. It also incorporates the best features from the previous trims. It gives importance to the rear passengers with armrest and adjustable headrests. The infotainment screen has also grown to 10.25 inches with an inbuilt navigation system. It also comes with the automatic transmission setup which is more fuel-efficient than the manual. This makes it the most loaded SUV in this price bracket as well.
2020 Kia Soul Engine and Performance
5.0/10
The boxy hunk is powered by either a 2.0L inline-four or a 1.6L inline four-pot. This has bought in a lot of relief when compared to the confusing three engine options which were present on the outgoing model. The power produced is decent for city runs and weekend getaways.
A 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic does the work of translating the power to the wheel in a linear fashion. This duo of gearbox makes it a car that is fun to drive.
Engine and Transmission
2020 Kia Soul powered by either a 2.0L inline-four engine
The majority of the trims are powered by a 2.0L inline-four engine which produces a generous 147 horses and 132 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful 1.6L turbo produces 201 horses and 195 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated unit is coupled to a 6-speed manual and a CVT which Kia likes to call Intelligent Variable Transmission(IVT). The IVT helps in extracting the better fuel economy of the motor.
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V*
Subaru Crosstrek*
MSRP
$17,490
$20,100
$20,620
$21,895
Engine
2.0L Inline-4
2.0L Inline-4
1.8L Inline-4
2.0L Flat-4
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
FWD
AWD
Transmission
6-speed Manual
6-speed Shiftable Automatic
CVT-Automatic
6-speed Manual
Power (hp @ rpm)
147@6,200
147@6,200
141@6,500
152@6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
132@4,500
132@4,500
127@4,300
145@4,500
*2019 figures used for reference purpose
The Kia is surprisingly powerful when compared to its competition. It’s twin, the Hyundai Kona boasts the same output but costs more. Honda HR-V is costlier yet less powerful. Subaru Crosstrek is the most powerful of the lot but it's premium pricing takes away the upper hand.
How quick is the Kia Soul?
Kia is a small car. This also helps in shedding a lot of weight which eventually makes it quicker. It sprints to 60mph in 8.4 seconds and crosses a quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds. This is not mind-blowing quick but for a car of such caliber, this is impressive and sufficient for city runs.
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V*
Subaru Crosstrek*
0-60 MPH (sec)
8.4s(est.)
8.3
8.6
8.7
Quarter Mile (sec)
16.5
16.3
16.3
16.3
Top Speed (MPH)
128
132
N/A
N/A
Engine
2.0L Inline-4
2.0L Inline-4
1.8L Inline-4
2.0L Flat-4
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)
6.5
5.9
5.9
7.0
How does the Kia handle?
Kia has worked on the chassis of the Soul and has made it sturdier and stiffer. It features an Iso-structure compound of advanced high-strength steel which improves the rigidity and reinforces the body's integrity. In Spite of having an unconventional boxy design, Soul is very agile and stable. It can gulp in miles without a hiccup. The small footprint also helps it to be nimble in cities.
2020 Kia Soul Wagon Front View
The turbo engine is a lot more fun but the price bump doesn’t make sense and so most of the customers opt for the naturally aspirated one. Kia has managed to squeeze out most of this engine with the well-timed IVT which makes the ride both fuel-efficient and peppy.
Is the braking as bright as the looks?
The braking on Soul is snatchy as the brakes act in too quickly. So the input should be linear to avoid being abrupt. The front rotors are 11 inches in diameter and the rear at 10.3 inches.
2020 Kia Soul brake calipers
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V*
Subaru Crosstrek*
Brake Rotors Front (in)
11
12
11.5
11.6
Brake Rotors Rear (in)
10.3
11.2
11.1
10.8
60-0 MPH (ft)
N/A
133
N/A
131
Curb Weight (lbs)
2802
2890
2902
3113
Braking on all of the competition is in the same vicinity. All the cars have similarly specced brakes but the Subaru takes longer to come to a stop due to its weight.
2020 Kia Soul Fuel Economy
6.0/10
The Soul is fuel-efficient with 25 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. With a combined fuel economy of 27 MPG, Kia doesn't fair well in being fuel efficient but it’s not bad either. The 2.0L engine is pretty efficient when compared to struggling smaller engines. This is largely because of the well-tuned CVT transmission which balances performance and efficiency.
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V*
Subaru Crosstrek*
MPG (City)
25
27
28
23
MPG (Highway)
31
33
34
29
MPG (Combined)
27
30
30
25
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)
14.3
13.2
13.2
16.6
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)
358/443/386
356/436/396
370/449/396
448/548/415
In Spite of having the same underpinnings, Hyundai Kona manages to give better fuel efficiency than the Soul. Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona gives a combined MPG of 30. Subaru is the least fuel-efficient with a combined MPG of 25. This is hugely due to the extra weight.
2020 Kia Soul Interior
8.6/10
Kia Soul has a very basic interior layout with basic amenities fulfilled. The boxy design has made the cabin a very comfortable place to be in with ample headroom and legroom even for the second row of seats. The window lines are low which gives a better outward view. An optional mood lighting makes the interior a lively place
2020 Kia Soul has a very basic interior layout with basic amenities fulfilled
The seating comfort in the Kia Soul is decent, to say the least. There is no dedicated lumbar or side support but it doesn’t make you feel lethargic on long rides. The rear seats are comfortable and provide good under-thigh support. The ride is firm and so doesn’t feel snappy on rough terrains. The single-zone manual climate control would make the rear passengers feel the heat on hot days. The upright position of the windows generates wind noise which can be irritating at times. Poor sound insulation also makes way for tire noise into the cabin.
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V LX*
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i*
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.4/55.5/41.1
39.6/55.5/41.5
39.5/56.8/41.2
39.8/56.7/43.1
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.5/54.7/38.8
37.8/54.7/38.8
38.3/54.5/39.3
38.0/55.6/36.5
Kia Soul offers impressive cabin space in spite of having a small footprint. This is mostly because of the added headroom. This also helps in retaining cargo space.
How's the infotainment system and features?
The base trim is equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system with a standard 6 speaker setup. It comes with Apple Carplay and Android Auto as standard. A Harmon Kardon audio system comes in as standard with an external amplifier for added boom.
2020 Kia Soul is equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system
Interior Features
6-way adjustable Driver Seat
60-40 Split Rear Seats
7-inch Infotainment System
Steering mounted Bluetooth controls
Day/Night Interior rearview mirror
Dual Front Cupholders
Glove box with illumination
Soft Touch Dashboard
Mood Lighting
Android Auto and Apple Carplay
How much cargo can the small hatch carry?
Kia Soul has a generous cargo space of 24.2 cubic feet which is impressive given its dimensions. This is because of a cavity which increases the volume, unlike the others. A cover for this is available after the X-Line. This makes added cargo space limited when the rear seats are folded down on lower trims.
2020 Kia Soul has a generous cargo space of 24.2 cubic feet
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V LX*
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i*
Cargo Capacity (ft3)
24.2
19.2
24.3
20.8
2020 Kia Soul interior2020 Kia Soul instrumental cluster2020 Kia Soul center console2020 Kia Soul rear seat2020 Kia Soul seat folded2020 Kia Soul steering
2020 Kia Soul Exterior
8.0/10
The design and quirky exterior elements are what make the Kia Soul stand out from the crowd. The boxy design has always been Soul’s trademark. The Soul has been completely redesigned for 2020 with sleek Headlights and boomerang taillights being the highlighting features. Kia made sure not to fiddle with the basic body structure which is a good move.
Does the Soul demand a second look?
Kia was bold enough to slap on a boxy design onto a chassis and build one of a kind car out of it. There is no other car in the market which looks as quirky as the Kia Soul. Kia offers a staggering 16 color options so that your car can never go unnoticed. The X-Line trim also has beefed up claddings with exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels which gives it an off-road appeal. The boxy design helps Kia stay slim with the least length of the lot. This makes maneuvering the car in tight spots a breeze while providing excellent outward visibility.
There is no other car in the market which looks as quirky as the 2020 Kia Soul
Models
Kia Soul LX
Hyundai Kona SE
Honda HR-V LX*
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i*
Curb Weight (lbs)
2802
2890
2902
3113
Length (in)
165.2
164.0
170.4
175.8
Width (in)
70.9
70.9
69.8
71.0
Height (in)
63.0
61.0
63.2
63.6
Ground Clearance (in)
6.7
6.7
7.3
8.7
Wheelbase (in)
102.4
102.4
102.8
104.9
The Kia is the shortest of the lot thanks to the boxy design. It doesn't sacrifice on the width and height to provide better cabin space. It weighs the least at 2802 pounds. The Subaru Crosstrek has the largest dimensions while weighing in at 3113 pounds.
Exterior Features
Auto on/off Headlights
Power Adjustable ORVMs
Locking Fuel Filler Door
Solar Glass
Roof Rack Mounting points
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Positioning Lights
16-inch wheels
2020 Kia Soul2020 Kia Soul side view2020 Kia Soul rear view2020 Kia Soul exterior2020 Kia Soul headlight2020 Kia Soul taillight
2020 Kia Soul Safety
7.0/10
The Soul is high on safety for a car of this price bracket. Except for the base LX variant, Kia has been generous to load it with all the needed gizmos to keep the occupants safe and sound.
Safety Features
Dual Front Advanced Airbags
Electronic Brake Force Distribution(EBD)
Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
Vehicle Stability Management
Hill Start Assist Control(HAC)
High Line Tire Pressure Monitoring System(TPMS)
Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags
2020 Kia Soul Competition
Hyundai Kona SE
Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul share the same underpinnings but their similarities end there. In spite of having the same powertrains, both cars have different performance and handling dynamics. The Soul has better space management on the inside as well. The last generation had a lot of downsides which made the Hyundai dominant. But Kia made amendments to rectify it and they have a better player. All of this while costing less than the Hyundai makes The Kia Soul the better car.
2020 Hyundai Kona
Honda HR-V LX
The Honda is a better car in terms of handling and fuel efficiency. But in spite of having larger dimensions, it still gets undercut in space management by Kia. It is underpowered and overpriced when compared to the Kia. The Soul makes for a better overall package which makes it the better choice of the two.
2020 Honda HR-V
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i
Subaru is the costliest of the lot which puts it in a very risky position. It has the most power but by a margin. In spite of having the largest dimensions of the lot, it still has interior space which is at par with the Kia. A heavier body also makes it burn more fuel. All of this is not enough to justify its price and make it a better choice.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek
2020 Kia Soul Final Verdict
Kia has finally got the formula right with the 2020 Kia Soul. It has a balanced combination of power which gives its competitors a run for its money. The styling is Kia’s strong point with which it truly stands out. The boxy design also helps it to extract the most out of interior space on the inside. If you are that guy who likes to get noticed and at the same time have fun driving it, the Kia Soul is the buddy for you.
2020 Kia Soul Overall Reviews
Irving F. Perry 2020 Kia SoulGT-Line 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
9
9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star
User Overall Rating
Small suv at a price of hatchback
Overall Review -
9
9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star
Overview Rating
Apart from not being free from shakiness at higher speeds, everything is pretty justified and as expected in my Soul
9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star
User Overall Rating
"Small suv at a price of hatchback"
Well for the size, which for sure has a few downsides like space inside, it proves to be easier to drive in suburban traffic. Stability and Soul I think also don't get along well and driving on freeways gets it on its nerves. Due to elevated ride height, I have never felt safe driving is past 60. Tried multiple times but it fails to hold that composure.
by Irving F. Perry
10
10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star 10 star
User Overall Rating
"Not the best car to drive in winters"
For the first car, there is nothing like Soul. Great on gas, perfectly sized for daily driving, and not so hard on pocket. Now with this budget price tag, Kia has kept it unaware about the harsh winters and snow driving where it starts to kind of panic losing tires to the snow. Mixed with the limited rear visibility, a cab ride home in snow has always felt like a good option
by John E. Park
8
8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star
User Overall Rating
"Turbo!"
A pocket-sized powerhouse generating over 200 horses from that mediocre proportioned engine under the hood. Turbo works flawlessly for what it's supposed to do and without one, I can't imagine how it would drive. A stick transmission option would have been imposing on such smooth drive quality. Having said that, Lately, I've been facing issues with the cold start wherein morning, it takes a good 1...
by Lee V. Cerda
9
9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star 9 star
User Overall Rating
"With a manual stick"
Not just good priced, it happens to be one of those ultra rarest cars under 20k to feature an orthodox manual stick for driving. An old school setup with just the right amount of frills for driver assistance, Kia soul never disappoints in daily driving unless you're past 70 on a freeway where it shakes to a moderate extend because of the design
by Mary N. Jenkins
8
8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star 8 star
User Overall Rating
"5 years warranty on Kia s"
If you're in the market looking for a reliable car that has decent driveability, it is a good option to add in the list. Sure has some shortcomings like ground clearance which has been a real pain especially because of the place I'm from.
