The Kia Soul gets a makeover for the 2023 model year that features a redesigned lineup and an angrier mug. For 2023, Kia has reduced the number of Soul models available, removing the X-Line and Turbo trims.
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Is there a Kia Soul for 2022?
Six trim levels are available for the 2022 Kia Soul: LX, S, GT-Line, X-Line, EX, and Turbo. We advise upgrading to the S trim. The S trim offers an abundance of safety features in addition to the base LX’s strong list of infotainment and comfort options.
Will a 2023 Kia Soul be available?
- For 2023, Kia has revamped the Soul with fresh front and back styling.
- The X-Line trim level and Turbo model have been eliminated from the lineup.
- Late summer will see the arrival of the 2023 Soul to dealerships.
UPDATE 6/29/22: The 2023 Soul’s starting price is $21,085, a slight $500 increase. The S ($23,585) and GT-Line ($24,685) trims have both increased by $700 since last year, while the EX trim has increased by $500 and starts at $24,885.
Since a few years ago, Kia has been working to streamline the Soul lineup. After getting rid of the base model’s manual transmission last year, it is now eliminating the 201-horsepower Turbo engine as an option and the tough-looking X-Line trim level in conjunction with the facelift of the 2023 Soul.
Will there be a Kia Soul in 2021?
The 2021 Kia Soul’s distinctly boxy look and surprisingly spacious interior put the “fun” in quirky and practical. The Hyundai Kona and the new Kia Seltos are corporate rivals of the subcompact SUV, although the Soul is substantially less expensive. Two gas-powered four-cylinder engines, one of which is a potent 201-hp turbocharged engine, are available from Kia to customers. Alternately, you may hold off till the upcoming electric model (reviewed separately). Although Kia advertises the Soul as an SUV, the car’s lack of all-wheel drive and low ground clearance give the impression that it is more like a big hatchback. Even yet, it has amusing driving habits that go well with its eccentricity. The 2021 Soul isn’t particularly fuel-efficient, and the base model lacks any technology that would help drivers. But this ute’s price and personality, which won it an Editors’ Choice award, are difficult to match.
What does a brand-new 2022 Kia Soul cost?
The 2022 Kia Soul’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $20,585 for the LX base model with destination charge and common options.
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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What should I expect to pay for a 2021 Kia Soul?
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of a base 2021 Kia Soul in LX grade with a manual transmission is $17,490; an additional $1,120 destination fee makes the final price $18,610.
Is buying a Kia Soul worthwhile?
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.
How many years do Kia Souls have?
Kia Souls have a 200,000-mile lifespan, or an average lifespan of 13 years. The car may live longer if it is maintained, used frequently, and not overburdened.
Kia Souls are incredibly dependable and should achieve this lovely round figure without experiencing any catastrophic breakdown, unless your model year has a number of manufacturing and manufacturer problems.
Your Kia Soul may only last 10 years or even fewer before it is no longer useful if you use it for business purposes, like ride-hailing services.
Do 2022 Kia Soul engines have issues?
Since the powertrain is in charge of transferring the energy generated by the motor to the wheels, it must be equally as dependable as the engine. However, the 2022 Kia Soul also seems to be having trouble in this area.
Here is yet another message sent to the Kia Soul forums. “After barely 4 months of ownership, my brand-new car’s transmission failed today.
Where are these? “Next-level adaptability is what’s being praised? One has to wonder if Kia even knows how to assemble a vehicle at this stage. This automaker shouldn’t be trusted to build a LEGO automobile because all of the essential systems are malfunctioning.
Will there ever be an AWD Kia Soul?
Although the Kia Soul doesn’t come with AWD, it can be purchased with front-wheel drive instead (FWD). For this little SUV, Shelby drivers will have the option of customizing their drivetrain and powertrain: 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque are produced by the 2.0-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine found in most Kia Soul grade levels.
The safety of Kia Souls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also performed its own collision tests on the Kia Soul for Carson buyers. See the NHTSA’s safety ratings for the Kia Soul below, which place it once again at the top of its category: The overall rating is 4. Four stars for a frontal crash.
Why is the Kia Soul categorized as 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.