Are Kia Soul SUVs Good? Yes, the Kia Soul is an excellent small SUV. Although it lacks the athleticism of competitors like the Mazda CX-30, the Soul’s small turning radius makes it simple to drive about town. Despite having a respectable base four-cylinder engine, this spirited SUV will accelerate more quickly with the upgraded turbo-four.
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Is the Kia Soul a trustworthy vehicle?
With a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, the Kia Soul is ranked third among subcompact SUVs out of a possible 7. It offers great ownership costs with an average annual repair cost of $437. The Soul is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since the severity and frequency of repairs are both substantially lower than those for other vehicles.
Cost
A Kia Soul’s average total yearly cost for repairs and maintenance is $437, while the average for subcompact SUVs is $466 and the average for all vehicle types is $652.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.2 times for subcompact SUVs and 0.4 times for all vehicle models, Kia Soul owners had to take their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.2 times a year on average.
What drawbacks does the Kia Soul have?
There are a few automobiles that are genuinely distinctive, even though each one delivers something slightly different. One of options is the 2021 Kia Soul, which has a boxy appearance and a distinctive spirit that would make it difficult for anyone to mistake it for another vehicle. The Soul is advertised as an SUV, but because to its low seating position and relatively small interior, it may appear to certain drivers more like a hatchback. The adaptability that many contemporary consumers need is present. It includes a number of technology features that customers will undoubtedly enjoy, just like in many other Kias.
Kia hasn’t made many significant changes to the Soul for the 2021 model year compared to what was seen in 2020. Rear occupant alert is one of the new features. When it appears that passengers have been left alone in the car, this system can warn the driver. The X-Line and GT-Line trims of the Soul have one additional feature. More high-end shock valves are added to these trims to improve handling. Select trims of the 2021 Kia Soul now have remote start buttons on their key fobs, which is another enhancement.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Kia SoulThe Pros
1. A Little Bit of Everything
With the Soul, Kia decided to provide six trim levels rather than restricting people’s selections. Starting with the LX, which costs less than $18,000, and going all the way up to the Turbo, which costs little more than $27,500, this range of cars is available. The S, GT-Line, X-Line, and EX trims fall in between. Each trim has its own benefits, and buyers may choose the mix of features that appeals to them the most and the price range that fits within their means.
2. Modern Cabin
A sizable touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard on every Kia Soul. This makes the car more appealing to people who enjoy staying in touch with others and need ongoing access to particular smartphone applications. The touchscreen is seven inches on the first four levels. The 10.25-inch touchscreens that come with HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and integrated navigation are only available on the top two models. Turn-by-turn directions are provided by the navigation program, which can also account for current traffic conditions.
3. There Are 2 Engines Available
The majority of individuals researching the Soul and its rivals would be content with the power that the base engine offers. With the exception of the Turbo, all Soul grades are powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 147 horsepower. Either a six-speed manual transmission or an intelligent variable transmission can be used with this engine.
Some drivers might prefer the Turbo trim since it has more capability. Although its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is smaller than the normal one, it still features a V6. HP is increased by this to 201. The 1.6-liter engine produces 195 pound-feet more torque than the 2.0-liter engine does. The Turbo’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission allows for a more thrilling ride.
4. Excellent Mileage
People can drive far in a 2021 Kia Soul on just one tank of gas. The car’s 2.0-liter engine may achieve up to 35 highway miles per gallon. Fuel efficiency for city driving is 29 miles per gallon. With up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway and 27 miles per gallon in the city, the turbocharged Soul isn’t far behind. It should be noted that the Soul with the manual transmission has an estimated efficiency of 25/31 (city/highway) miles per gallon, which is slightly lower than that of its competitors.
5. High-Quality Safety Parts
Numerous driver-assist systems are included in almost all Kia Soul grades. The vehicle has forward collision avoidance aid as standard equipment starting with the S trim, which enables it to alert drivers to potential issues and apply the brakes if it appears that a collision is going to occur. Blind spot monitoring and lane change assist work together to keep drivers from colliding with vehicles on either side of them, while lane keeping assist might be helpful when the driver isn’t centered in a lane. Additionally, there is a rear cross-traffic collision aid feature that may apply the brakes to prevent an accident, as well as a driver attentiveness alert system.
6. Cabin Has a Big Feeling
The passengers have access to more than 100 cubic feet of space in total. When viewing the Soul from the outside, the back seat may not appear to be very roomy, but it is. The Soul offers more rear seat legroom than comparable SUVs, with 38.8 inches available. The cargo space in the back has a volume of roughly 24 cubic feet. Folding the back seats increases the cargo space to around 62 cubic feet.
7. A Particular Look
The Soul is highly cubic in shape and stands upright. Many individuals find it more appealing because it isn’t extremely long or wide, especially those who live in cities and regularly have to park in small spaces. The C-pillar has an angular appearance and is inscribed with the word “Soul.” The tailgate has an intriguing combination of curves and angles in the back, while the grille and thin headlights up front provide a futuristic appearance. The Soul is noticeable from any angle.
It’s no longer necessary to physically insert a key into the ignition and turn the key in order to turn things on because the industry has advanced significantly. A Smart Key is included with the EX and Turbo grades. It enables the driver to start the engine by merely pressing a button. Even better, there is a remote start button on the key fob. The temperature control system can be turned on and the engine started from the convenience of one’s home or from a location close to the car. The days of getting into a very chilly or hot automobile and waiting a few minutes for the temperature to rise to a more comfortable level are long gone.
9. High-End Interior Components
Many Kia Soul grades have tastefully furnished interiors. Power moonroof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and synthetic leather seats are among the options that are offered. All of these elements have the potential to improve the cabin’s ambience and make things more comfortable.
10. Athletic Accents
The Kia Soul has a lot of flair in a variety of ways. First, the X-Line can have a two-tone appearance. The roof can be painted black if an outside paint color of red or blue is chosen. The X-Line also includes bright silver roof rails, cladding around the fenders, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The side sills of the GT-Line have red accents, a unique front grille, and a silver skid plate, among other minor differences. The steering wheels on the Turbo and GT-Line are D-shaped. These steering wheels resemble steering wheels found in race cars because of their ergonomic cuts.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Kia SoulThe Cons
1. Unimpressive Performance
The Soul has two available engines, as was previously noted. Although it’s fantastic that Kia made that choice, 201 horsepower isn’t all that outstanding. A more thrilling driving experience would result from having more power, perhaps closer to 250.
2. The back seats are not flat.
A significant factor in the popularity of SUVs and hatchbacks is the availability of fold-flat rear seats. The Kia Soul has these kinds of seats, and its back seat is set up as a 60/40 split bench to give the interior some flexibility. Unfortunately, the seatbacks don’t fold all the way flat. Heavy or bulky objects may be a little more difficult to load and unload as a result. A few inches can make a big difference in this situation.
3. Not Enough Upscale
Although the Kia Soul isn’t meant to be a luxury car, shoppers may be put off by its lack of posh features. It does offer some luxuries, such as heated front seats and seats with synthetic leather, but what it lacks might be more obvious. The Soul lacks a number of features, like fully leather upholstery, rear air vents, ventilated front seats, and back seat charging outlets.
4. There is no all-wheel drive option.
If toughness and durability are the standards for SUVs, the Kia Soul doesn’t quite measure up. It is less enticing to drivers who may frequently deal with icy and slippery weather because all-wheel drive is not an option.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The HR-V belongs to the same class as the Kia Soul as a small SUV. Due to the Soul’s lower beginning price, it might not be as enticing. It’s noteworthy that the lower model lacks a touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto while costing more money. Its cabin is a little bit smaller than the Soul’s cabin, which might be a big deal to some customers.
Undoubtedly more durable than the Kia Soul, the Crosstrek. The Soul, however, excels in many areas where this rival falls short. The Crosstrek costs more than the Kia Soul, just like the HR-V. Additionally, it has a smaller trunk than the Soul and less room for back passengers’ legs. It can occasionally be less useful than the Soul in specific circumstances.
The Kia Soul is undoubtedly entertaining and unique compared to most other available options. Anyone on a budget would make a wise choice in this vehicle because of its extremely reasonable price. With its extensive entertainment and safety packages, it can satiate people, and it has enough room for five passengers and their goods.