One of the Kia lineup’s most distinctively styled cars is the Soul. Although its boxy design is nevertheless remarkably modern and dynamic, you might be perplexed as to what kind of car it is. It’s a hatchback, right? Is that an SUV? Officially speaking, the Kia Soul is categorized as a subcompact crossover SUV. That makes sense, right? The Soul is undoubtedly bigger than a car, but it’s not nearly an SUV in size. For additional information on its size and interior space dimensions, continue reading.
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The Kia Soul is either a vehicle or an SUV.
It’s true that the Kia Soul is an SUV. It belongs to a market segment that combines the utility and comfort of a small car with the cargo space of an SUV, and according to U.S. News, it’s at the top of the market segment.
A Kia Soul is a sedan, right?
It is simple to understand why many customers would view the 2021 Kia Soul as a boxy-shaped sedan given its size and design. In fact, you might be tempted to refer to one as a vehicle if you were to stroll by one, but in truth, it is a subcompact SUV. The fact that the 2021 Kia Soul is designated as a subcompact SUV is only one thing you might be missing out on when it comes to the vehicle.
A Kia is what kind of a vehicle?
Along with Genesis, Kia is a Korean automaker that is a branch of parent company Hyundai. Sporty vehicles like the Stinger and large sedans like the K5 are produced by Kia. The tiny Seltos, the small Sportage, the medium-sized Sorento, and the large Telluride are just a few of the small to large SUVs made by Kia.
Kia Souls: Are they a good car?
Yes, the Kia Soul is a good automobile, especially if you’re looking for something that’s dependable, stylish, and reasonably priced. The brakes are effective, and the engine accelerates rapidly. Furthermore, the inside is spacious and comfy. The Kia Soul is a great SUV option all around, featuring essential features and well-liked improvements.
A Kia Soul is it a sub?
For 2023, Kia’s little Soul SUV gets a minor facelift with a new grille and bumper. New 17- and 18-inch wheels are available, and there have been changes made to the headlamps. Unfortunately, the sprightly 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower has been removed from the inventory, leaving the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower as the only option. Additionally, the tough-looking X-Line model has been retired.
Are Kia Soul vehicles hybrids?
In the brand-new 2020 Soul EV hybrid for sale at Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw, get ready for more adventure than ever. Featuring an electric engine that produces an estimated 201 horsepower and 291 pound. ft. of torque, making its debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
How do hatchback automobiles work?
What Are the Characteristics of a Hatchback? A vehicle having two or four doors and a tailgate that could flip up was considered a hatchback in the past.
A Kia Soul is larger than a car, right?
Finding the ideal vehicle for your needs might occasionally seem unattainable. Do you want to consider purchasing a Kia Soul but are unsure of its size? We’ve done a lot of research and have the answers for you right here. Let’s get started.
A Kia Soul is properly categorized as an SUV despite being smaller. You may anticipate five seats, four doors including a rear hatchback, and a lot of cargo room inside your car for the 2021 and 2022 models. A Kia Soul is classified as a more small size vehicle because of its dimensions, which are around 165 x 71 x 63 inches.
Kia meaning:
The meaning of the name Kia is actually quite intriguing. It may surprise you to learn that even a word as short as Kia contains two parts to its Korean meaning. Ki means to emerge, and a signifies to the east. Kia means “to come out of the east,” to put it another way. Fitting for a corporation that is based in East Asia and serves so many different nations.
The 2013 U.S. introduction of the Cadenza sedan, also known as the K7 in Korea, is named after an exquisite, bright, and challenging artistic solo (typically musical). Musical words are frequently used as model names. Simply observe the Hyundai Sonata.
In 2010, the four-door Forte sedan, which takes its name from the Middle French word fort, which means “strong,” was introduced in America as the K3 in Korea. We understand it to relate to a person’s best quality or expertise.
The K900, a more recent addition to the list, is a fresh way for the brand to approach the luxury market. The K900 is known as the K9 in Korea, adhering to the brand’s customary naming pattern of K(ia) + # for its passenger cars, although having several names throughout the world, including the Quorist. In order to avoid being confused with a dog, the name in America has two zeros added.
The name of this passenger sedan is a riff on the Latin word “optimus,” which means “best or “bonus,” and is generally quite well known. That is where the word “optimum”which refers to the ideal level or circumstancecomes from.
After being created, the Kia Rio has gone through several names over the years: Pride, Avella, and finally Rio. Rio is not just the name of a city in Brazil that recently played host to the Olympics; in Spanish and Portuguese, it also refers to a river. It describes the smooth flow of the car’s body lines and handling.
The Sedona minivan’s name is odd for Kia, and it has a rather enigmatic history. Many claim that the small town in Arizona served as the idea for the name. The company may have desired a name that evoked the outdoors and elegance but was less regionally known than, say, Santa Fe. According to records, the name “Sedona” was coined by the mother of an early settler of the region out of the blue because it sounded lovely.
Although the name’s exact meaning is unknown, it originates from the tiny Italian village of Sorrento, which was greatly impacted by Greek culture. The name of the town of Sorrento is probably derived from the fact that it contains a sanctuary that was formerly home to the religion of the Sirens. We’re not sure how this name relates to a Kia SUV.
The Soul is named after the term for the inner life of the human soul and all the stirring cultural and historical connotations that go with it. It is the name that is most self-explanatory on the list.
As Kia’s most outdoor-oriented vehicle, the Sportage crossover SUV’s name is a special fusion of the term “sport,” which refers to the car’s sportiness, and the suffix “-age,” which means “a state or condition of.
The Kia Stinger received plaudits for its alluring and memorable name when it made its debut at the 2017 NAIAS. While the model itself is modeled off the 2011 GT concept car, the name of the vehicle is a nod to the GT4 Stinger idea. Our high-performance sedan’s aim to be a fearless and aggressive new competitor in the market is aptly encapsulated by the name “Stinger.” Living true to its name and the expectations, the Stinger GT exudes an appearance and air of explosive confidence and edginess.
Do Kia Souls have many issues?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
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Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
This question’s solution is more complex than you might think. Let’s examine the distinctions between gasoline and diesel engines as well as the precise number of spark plugs that a diesel engine truly has.
Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
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