A quick continuously variable automatic transmission and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower are standard on most 2022 Soul models (CVT). These models’ power output and acceleration are suitable for daily journeys.
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The Kia Soul is manual or automatic.
Prior to the current model year, the base LX model of the 2022 Soul had a CVT automatic transmission as standard with a starting price of $18,765, but it now only has a CVT automatic transmission.
The Kia Soul is manual, right?
With the Soul’s manual transmission no longer available, Kia now only offers one vehicle with a manual transmission.
the Kia Forte for 2021. One of the few subcompact SUVs on the market with a manual transmission was the Soul.
Kia Soul LX is automatic, right?
There are many advantages to the Kia Soul. Because of its boxy design, the passenger cabin and cargo space are incredibly spacious. With above-average handling qualities and a simple continuously variable automatic transmission, it is also enjoyable to drive.
Are Kia Souls a good investment?
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 stick shift is it a Kia Soul?
Yes, a manual transmission is offered with the 2021 Kia Soul. In actuality, one of the remaining SUVs with a manual transmission is the Kia Soul. Even while it might seem like fantastic news, the Kia Soul’s manual transmission is only offered on the entry variant. Long-term financial savings will result from doing that, but for many people, it will mean giving up features.
The 2021 Kia Soul LX does come with standard equipment including a rearview camera and a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but it is lacking more popular ones. Consider features like a power sunroof, heated front seats, and wireless charging. On the Soul’s entry-level model, none of these features are offered.
A Kia Soul with a manual transmission also excludes certain essential safety features. In reality, you won’t have access to driving-assist functions like automatic emergency braking and warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic notice and avoidance, driver attention warning, and high beam assistance. You must upgrade to the Kia Soul S trim level or higher for these features.
What issues are there with Kia Souls?
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.
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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.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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Memorable Exterior and Numerous Trims
Because of its recognizable boxy shape, a Kia Soul is likely to stick in your memory when you see it in images. The 2021 models, now in their third generation, maintain the quirky original style that they debuted in 2010. The front and back have been somewhat updated by Kia, and the nose is similar to other Kia automobiles. The majority of its trims have unique body designs, and it has three different headlight layouts.
Like the 2020 versions, the 2021 Kia Soul is offered in six different trim levels, so you’re sure to find one that meets your requirements. Kia changed the name of their top-of-the-line vehicle to Soul Turbo for the 2021 model year. Kia has a variety of options available, whether you’re looking at the entry-level LX trim for your daily commute or you want something with a little more power, like the top-of-the-line Turbo trim.
The MSRP for the base LX trim of the Kia Soul is $17,590, while the MSRP for the S trim is $20,690. Choosing the GT-Line or X-Line significantly raises the price to $21,790. All the features listed in the S trim are present in the EX trim, which costs $23,350, but it also has a more advanced infotainment system. With a turbocharged engine, synthetic leather upholstery, and additional safety features, the Turbo model, which is the top of the line, has pretty much everything you could want in an SUV. The MSRP of the Kia Soul in this trim is $27,650.
Impressive Engine Options and Stellar Towing Capacities
One of two powerful engines powers the Kia Soul in 2021. The standard 2.0-liter inline-four engine generates 132 pound-feet of torque and 147 horsepower. It is available with either a continuously variable automatic transmission or a six-speed conventional manual transmission (CVT). Both transmissions have seamless changes, and the base engine has more than enough power for daily driving.
The strong 1.6-liter turbo-four engine in the Turbo model, which offers even more power, cranks out an astonishing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. You get faster acceleration when you match it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The EPA estimates that the Soul will achieve 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the interstate when equipped with the base engine with manual transmission. These figures increase to 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when the optional CVT is chosen. In the city and on the highway, models with the improved turbocharged engine get 27 mpg.
You’ll be glad to know that the 2021 Kia Soul can pull up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped with a towing hitch if you wish to use your SUV for towing.
Abundant Safety Features and Driver Aids
Kia upgraded the Soul’s standard rear-seat reminder for the 2021 model year. This function warns you to look in the back seat for kids or pets before you get out of the car. A number of safety features are upgraded when you upgrade to the S model, including automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and drowsiness monitoring. Choose the Turbo trim to get every available safety feature, which includes adaptive cruise control, pedestrian recognition, and a head-up display.
Premium and Spacious Interior
The 2021 Soul is a large vehicle with space for five individuals. Even on lengthy drives, there is enough of room for adults travelling in back. The elevated position of the driver’s seat provides a great perspective of the road.
The lowest LX trim has a 7-inch touch-screen UVO infotainment system, cloth upholstery, and a six-way manually adjusted driver’s seat. This system has Bluetooth connectivity as well as support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control are just a few of the extra luxuries available on higher model levels.
Don’t be fooled by the Soul’s boxy appearance; it has plenty of cargo space. It offers a little more than 24 cubic feet of room behind the back seats, but when these seats are folded down, the cargo area expands to 62 cubic feet. Although its cargo floor rests a little lower than the folding rear seats, it may be leveled with the optional dual-level cargo board.
Exterior and Interior Colors
You’re sure to discover a color for your style among the exterior color options for the 2021 Kia Soul. Remember that some Kia Soul configurations require specific colors in order to be ordered. Here are your choices:
Note that the following color variations are also available but not depicted above:
- Exterior two-tone: Cherry Black Roof and Inferno Red
- Outside, there are two colors: Clear White and Inferno Red Roof.
- Exterior two-tone: Platinum Gold and Roof in Clear White
- Gravity Grey exterior with Platinum Gold roofing
- Cherry Black with Inferno Red Roof exterior dual color
- Tricot fabric in black for the interior
- Woven fabric in gray with two tones.
- Designer collection black synthetic leather and fabric for the inside
Ten-year powertrain and five-year basic warranties each cover one hundred thousand miles. Roadside assistance and all warranties have limitations. Information on warranties is available from the retailer.