With its terrific tall-hatch formula, awe-inspiring technology, and the inclusion of new trim levels, it’s a no brainer that the 3rd generation Soul carves a unique niche for itself in the subcompact SUV marketplace. The 2020 Kia Soul is a practical hatchback whose eccentric, boxy styling stacks up against newer rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota C-HR. The new vehicle has been overhauled from the inside out and is now better than the previous versions.
1. Exterior Styling and Trim Levels
For 2020, Kia avails the Soul in LX, X-Line, S, EX, and GT-Line Turbo trim levels. Both the X-Line and the GT-Line Turbo trims are strikingly different from the rest of the lineup. Each trim wears different accents. In profile, the new Soul is slightly longer than the outgoing version but retains the same boxy silhouette.
The vehicle also gains a new face, which looks more unified than the predecessor’s split-style grille. EX variants get projector-beam headlamps, while the sporty GT-Line incorporates upper LED quad headlamps, with LED fog lights and turn signals beneath. The GT-Line also receives unique 18-inch alloy wheels and aggressive fender flares.
2. Interior Design (Passenger Room and Cargo Volume)
Kia engineers did a commendable job in carving out some extra space for passengers and cargo. The square-shaped hatchback provides ample passenger room in the front and rear. And there’s a tall roof that offers plenty of headroom for added comfort. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, you get up to 62.1 cubic feet of cargo volume, which is about 25% more than what the previous Soul offered.
All trims come with cloth seats as standard, while the GT-Line features faux leather upholstery. The standard infotainment system comprises a 7-inch touchscreen display, USB/auxiliary ports, Bluetooth, smartphone integration, and 6-speaker audio. A 10.25-inch touchscreen and a wireless charging pad are available on the EX and GT-Line. Every Kia Soul comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. You can also connect your phone to the Kia Soul by Bluetooth!
3. Engine, Performance, and EPA Rating
This year, the redesigned Kia Soul is available with two engine choices. Under the hood of the base Soul is a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that generates 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission or the option of the intelligent variable transmission distributes power to the front wheels. According to the EPA, this base engine earns 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
The second engine option, which is offered in the GT-Line Turbo, is a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This lively and responsive engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and returns 27 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined driving. The turbo delivers power in a chunky manner, but it’s fun to wind it up at highways, say around town, or in stop-and-go traffic.
4. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Soul comes with a long list of safety and driver-assistance features. However, each trim is fitted with its own bewildering array of safety equipment. Blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning are standard on all but the LX trim.
S trims or higher add a driver-attention warning and active lane control to prevent the car from drifting from its lane. The GT-Line Turbo, which sits at the apex of the Kia Soul Lineup, adds a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection.
For those who want a practical subcompact SUV with awe-inspiring features, adult-friendly seating, and lots of cargo room, the redesigned Kia Soul is ready to oblige. Its expressive styling and well-thought-out interior stay true to Kia’s eccentric mission. Why not stop by Huffines Kia today and compare different features of all Kia Soul models of 2020?