2022 Kia Soul

 The S trim would be the best fit with the available features and price. It adds an array of comfort and driver-assist features that makes it premium over other trims. Some of these features include wireless charging, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and so on.  If you want extra oomph, the Turbo trim is better if you can shed some more bucks. 

Fortunately, the Soul’s trim levels are nicely equipped- Autotrader

The Kia Soul is available in six trim levels: LX, S, GT-Line, X-Line, EX, and Turbo. Kia has released the pricing data of the 2022 Soul and it starts from $19,190 while the top-draw trim will end at $27,790. Unlike its rivals, only FWD configuration is available in the Soul. Kia has shuffled some features for the Soul this year, thus making itself competitive in the segment. 

The S, GT-Line, and X-Line trims now get standard dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, two more USB ports, and wireless charging. Also, a new 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on all but the LX trim that gets an 8-inch screen. Also, a new Technology package adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking for the LX trim. 

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A 147-hp four-cylinder engine comes standard, but Kia offers a powerful 201-hp turbocharged four, which makes the Soul extra perky- CarAndDriver

The Kia Soul continues to offer two choices of powertrains. The first option is a basic 2.0L inline-4 engine that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. of torque. Kia mates this engine to a CVT transmission similar to most small crossovers. One of the biggest changes this year is the discontinuation of the manual gearbox. A 1.6L turbo inline-4 is exclusive to the Turbo trim, making 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. of torque. This engine is matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The engine doesn’t synchronize well with the dual-clutch gearbox and often feels jerky to handle at low speeds or traffic signals. The suspension keeps the ride soft over bumps in the road without feeling being mushy. The steering on the Soul, while not world-class, has a nice weight to it. It's quick and responsive without being overzealous thus meeting a lot of corrections. In spite of its boxiness, it doesn't feel top-heavy especially when driving around corners. 

With its standard engine, the Soul does struggle to catch up to highway speeds, as evident by its sluggish 0-60 MPH time of 8.4 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 16.4 seconds. The Turbo model does the same sprint in just 6.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for its segment. Both the engines are refined and the CVT is surprisingly much better in action. Speaking of brakes, the Soul takes 116 feet in the brake test and it does with no nose dive, which is pretty decent. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Subaru Crosstrek lead the table with more power but it is the second-slowest contender. The Hyundai Kona's performance is identical to the Soul as both of them pack the same powertrain. The Honda HR-V has the sluggish powertrain in the competition as it is the least powerful here. The Crosstrek, though a bit expensive, comes with a standard AWD drivetrain and a manual gearbox. 

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The Soul’s more frugal than it looks- The Car Connection

Now that the manual transmission is discontinued, the fuel economy of the Kia Soul is on par with its class rivals. According to the EPA, the Soul can spin around for a splendid 28 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on a highway, and 30 MPG combined. These figures are for the base inline-4 engine paired with a CVT. 

The turbocharged unit in the Turbo model reduces the fuel economy by just 1 MPG for a rather more power, which is really good. The Soul delivers a combined range of 429 miles in its most efficient form while the lowest range available is 415 miles with the turbocharged engine. Overall, the Soul is relatively efficient. 

*2021MY data used for reference

Although both house the same powertrain, the Hyundai Kona is slightly more efficient than the Soul. The Honda HR-V's fuel estimates are similar to the Soul but it is more efficient. The Subaru Crosstrek is the least efficient SUV in this competition but it is also worthy to note that it comes standard with an AWD system. 

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As for interior design and quality, it's pretty good considering the price point- Kelly Blue Book

The Kia Soul’s interiors might receive some light visual upgrades, mainly on the tech side. The cabin features a modern design well adept with the taste of its audience. The interior is not slathered with lavish materials but there are some visual cues that look pretty awesome. This five-seater is adorned with cloth upholstery as standard but you can add synthetic leather too. The seat cushions are soft and the front seats are a bit elevated for better outward visibility. 

The driver's seat can be electronically adjusted up to 10 ways on higher models. The cabin is surprisingly spacious for a small crossover utility vehicle and can fit 5 individuals. However, we recommend carrying only 4 passengers so that the backseaters don’t end up rubbing their shoulders. Two 6-foot passengers can feel at ease inside the spacious front cabin. The cabin grants adequate passenger space in both rows. Overall, the Soul's interior is simple but quite pleasing. 

Coming to infotainment, the LX trim now comes fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen instead of a 7-inch display. The other models upgrade to a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen with an in-built navigation system. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard offerings in the Soul. Kia's UVO interface is simple to understand and operate. The touchscreen responds very quickly and the menus are generally easy to navigate. Also, all the physical controls are ergonomically placed. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Soul takes the onus with its class-leading maximum cargo capacity. The Soul offers 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is more than adequate for a small-sized family. Surprisingly, this compact crossover offers a maximum free space of 62.1 cubes behind the front seats, when the rear seats are folded in a 60/40 split. That's so much space for a subcompact SUV. Some other cabin highlights are:

• Leather, heated steering wheel
• 10-way power driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power sunroof
• Proximity keyless entry
• Color-adjustable ambient lighting
• 8 & 10.25-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration
• 6-speaker stereo
• SiriusXM 
• Wireless charging

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The exterior is one of the things that people love the most about the Kia Soul- Kelly Blue Book

The Kia Soul represented one of the best intersections of style and versatility. The front fascia is a departure from other Kia models because you don't get a typical tiger-nose grille. Instead, you have a small slit up at the top and a large opening at the bottom. The headlights also have a cool and funky design. The standard wheels are 16 inches and it ranges up to 18 inches on higher trims. It has a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which is lower than its rivals. 

The Soul is known for its signature boxy design at the side and it stands out in the segment. Its overall length measures 165.2 inches, which is good enough to park at tight spots. The GT Line and X-Line will give you the option of a two-tone roof for a more stylish loo. Looking at the rear design itself, it is also a pretty design element. The main highlight of the rear design is the taillights that kind of wrap around the tailgate. Overall, the Soul's quirky design is a huge hit among customers. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Subaru Crosstrek sits higher than all its rivals in its segment which is perfect for its off-road nature. The Hyundai Kona's wheelbase is equal to the Soul and yet, its rear row lacks enough legroom to accommodate adults comfortably. The width of the Honda HR-V is less than the Soul which makes it easier to pass through narrow roads. Some other exterior features are:

• LED headlights
• LED fog lamps
• LED taillights
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Dual exhaust chrome tips
• Black grille with chrome surround
• 16, 17 & 18-inch wheels

Kia doesn't provide standard driver-assistance technology on the base Soul, but it does for the S model and above- CarAndDriver

The Kia Soul received a 4-star rating from NHTSA, which is a decent rating. However, it was honored with the Top Safety Pick award by IIHS for its exceptional performance in all crash tests. It also received a 'Superior' rating for the front crash prevention and a 'Good' rating for its headlights. 

Kia has always ensured a top-notch safety roster for every car in its lineup. The Soul offers a decent list of driver aids but doesn’t have a plethora of standard safety tech available, unlike most Kia models. The Soul only gets a full suite of safety features as you move higher up the trim lineup. These features include:

• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Drowsiness Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Change Assist
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Head-up display
• Rearview camera
• Rear-seat alert

2022 Kia Soul vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The battle between these two Korean brothers appears very close on paper. However, the key differences become crystal clear when you consider the features that are on offer. The Hyundai Kona has the advantage in terms of fuel efficiency, although both the crossovers are even in the power charts. Both these cars are about the same size, but the Soul simply offers more cargo space and rear legroom. However, the Kona hits back with its available AWD drivetrain and a plethora of standard safety techs, both of which the Soul lacks.

2022 Kia Soul vs 2022 Honda HR-V

Both the Honda HR-V and the Soul stand out with their unique styles in their overcrowded segment. The HR-V comes with only one engine but it is also offered with an AWD drivetrain. It also feels more engaging to drive and more efficient than the Soul. The Soul also offers more cargo versatility, although the HR-V’s rear Magic Seat is quite impressive as well. The HR-V gets pricier as you add extra driver assistance tech on the higher trim levels, so you may be better off driving a mid-trim level Kia Soul with the same features available to save some valuable bucks.

2022 Kia Soul vs 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is quite a unique vehicle in the sense that it offers an AWD drivetrain as standard. This justifies it as a capable off-roader in the small crossover segment, a trait that is missing in most competitors including the Soul. However, stellar off-roading comes at a price, as the Crosstrek falls behind the Soul in terms of fuel economy. The Crosstrek also lacks cargo space compared to the versatile Soul. The Soul appears the better deal overall with its lower price tag. Still, if you need the AWD drivetrain, pick the Crosstrek at your leisure.

The 2022 Kia Soul is a splendid everyday car with a host of features and amenities to make navigating through the rush-hour traffic a bit more enjoyable. This unique vehicle makes heads turn whenever it passes by the street. The Soul’s commendable utility and versatility fit well within the requirements of every family. Paired with Kia’s excellent warranty service and a pocket-friendly price tag, the Soul justifies itself as the perfect commuter vehicle.