2022 Kia Soul Review

The standard touch screen has grown from 7 to 8 inches.; More trims now have the 10.25-inch display and dual automatic climate controls.; There are also more safety and driver assistance features on the new Kia Soul for sale.;

Pricing has remained steady. This is good news for shoppers who are looking for the perfect blend of price point and value.

Also, the manual transmission has been discontinued due to the popularity of the automatic; The Kia Soul EV, offered until 2019, has been replaced by the Kia Niro EV, which is reviewed separately.

US News and World Report writes that the Soul has “one of the cheapest starting prices” in its class. Even better, the Kia Soul price remains affordable across the trim lines.; It starts at $19,290 for the LX and tops out at $27,890 for the Turbo 1.6T.;;

Plus for the class, the LX starts out extremely well equipped and the value continues as you climb the trim ladder. You simply get more when you choose the Soul over its rivals. It’s always a great deal whether or not there is a special Kia Soul sale.

These reasonable prices are matched to good fuel economy and the best automotive warranties.; Keeping ownership costs low, the standard engine earns 28 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. The turbo is actually even better, earning 29, 35, and 31; in the same categories as above.;

When comparing it to rivals, you’ll see that it has a lower pricetag and lower ownership costs than the 2022 Jeep Renegade, the Honda HR-V, the Subaru Crosstrek and many others in the subcompact SUV class. Plus, the Soul’s larger cabin allows it to claim 38 inches of rear legroom.; If you look at a rival, such as the Nissan Kicks, you’ll find it has only 33 inches of back seat legroom.

The Soul silhouette and profile are among the best known among automotive experts and amateurs alike. A boxy style sets this subcompact SUV apart. It’s also what gives it excellent interior spaciousness.;;

A light signature gives the Kia Soul an even more distinct look at night.; The X-Line is its more rugged look while the GT-Line shows off its sportiest side. The Turbo adds even more sport detailing and favorite amenities such as LED headlights with an escort function.

Among exterior safety extras, Kia offers power-heat, power-adjust mirrors and LED fog lights. There are a number of unique alloy wheel choices, including the rugged 18-inch alloys on the X-Line.; The GT-Line and Turbo add red accents to unique side sills.

With six trim levels, there are many choices at affordable price points.; This year the base LX has a bigger touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. Some of its other features include power-adjustable mirrors, woven-and-knit cloth trim, and USB ports. Deluxe upper door trim ensures a soft touch for outboard passengers and the driver.

The 2022 Soul X-Line adds many sport elements, including fog lights and roof rails. It also has an advanced touch screen, more USB ports, and a wireless charger. The S seats wear a premium cloth choice.; It has more amenities such as automatic temperature controls and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.;;

EX models add heated seats, a second-row armrest, and a dual-level cargo floor. The Soul GT-Line adds a flat-bottom steering wheel. Detailing includes elements such as matte silver or satin chrome door handles.;

The Turbo wears a cloth and leatherette upholstery. It also updates the power driver’s chair with more settings.;

The Kia Soul 2022 regular trims have an inline four-cylinder engine.; A CVT automatic controls 147 horsepower for efficient travel.;;

Soul ride quality is particularly sophisticated, writes Kelley Blue Book.; For a sportier ride quality, X-Line and GT-Line models have RS shock absorbers.;

Owners will appreciate the Active Eco System that helps improve fuel efficiency. The idle stop-and-go system automatically reduces fuel waste.

The Turbo trim has the most fuel-efficient powertrain. It is also the speediest, turning this ride into a hot hatch.; Output is 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It’s expertly controlled by a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.;;

In the Edmunds review, the writer talks about how the Soul Turbo is especially enjoyable to drive.; For daily commuters, a fun ride is always a plus.; It’s a big thing to parents who want to enjoy time behind the wheel, even if they are just the kids’ taxi.;

Find out which Soul is right for you. Schedule a test drive.

The Soul infotainment system includes the benefits of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your smartphone can link up to the screen, allowing you to utilize navigation apps and entertainment apps.; The 8-inch display is a color unit with touch capability and voice recognition. Since it is an inch bigger than the 2021 display, it is surprising that the Soul LX price is still so affordable.

Stepping up to the X-Line, you get the 10.25-inch screen. This advanced system includes built-in navigation and HD Radio. It also has Apple and Android connectivity.; The Turbo adds a Harman-Kardon audio system to surround passengers with sound.

Size and Specifications

A Soul cabin is more spacious than the cabins in the Hyundai Kona or the Mazda CX-30, among others.; It has 38 inches of second-row legroom, matching or outdoing the Jeep Renegade and the Honda HR-V.;;

As many reviewers have noted, the funky squared-off roof allows it to offer more headroom and more cargo room than many rivals. Adults can feel comfortable in the backseat.; The back doors open especially wide, making it easier to climb in and out. It also assists with loading cargo or placing car seats.;

With built-in organizational features, the cargo area is rated at 24.2 cubes. Folding the back row, the owner can utilize 62.1 cubes.; When you step up to the GT-Line, Kia adds a dual-level cargo floor that assists with organization.; This small crossover can claim an ample 6.7 inches of ground clearance.

Safety

Owners will appreciate the many standard safety features on this ride.; From second-row LATCH attachments to a rear seat alert, parents have more tools to keep their kids safe.; A driver attention warning is good for sleepy or distracted drivers.;;

The X-Line and higher trims offer driver assistance features.; Forward collision avoidance includes emergency braking in response to an immediate traffic danger. The lane keep assist, lane change assist, and blind sport warning help drivers avoid collision with traffic coming from the sides of the vehicle.;;

The backup camera is a natural partner to the rear cross traffic monitor.; This includes a new avoidance assist if side traffic is detected.; The GT-Line adds one-touch triple turn signal indicators for greater visibility.

Standard on the turbo, Smart Cruise Control makes commuting easier with its stop-and-go sophistication.; A head up display puts important information in easy view on the windshield.

Ratings and Reliability

How well does the Kia Soul do its job?; That’s an important question. According to JD Power, the crossover earns a good reliability score. This is quite remarkable considering the Soul’s; affordable price.

US News and World Report ranks the Soul in the top 3 of their Subcompact SUV ratings. That’s indication of what their editors think and also represents the views of the most prestigious automotive review sites.;;

Edmunds, another automotive reviewer, declares the Soul as one of its favorite runabouts. It also says the crossover is useful but charismatic.; The unique styling remains one of its positive features.

To recap its class-leading elements, the price is one of the lowest for a subcompact SUV. This is especially interesting since the Soul has the roomiest backseat in the class. The packaging is above average as is the reliability.; The Kia subcompact SUV does many things well, making it a better all-around choice.

You can find a deal at Earnhardt Peoria Kia.