Maybe it’s the cute good looks of the Kia Soul or the catchy hamster advertisements or perhaps it is the fact that U.S. News & World Report named it to it top 3 family compact cars in the country that put the 2016 Kia Soul under the spotlight. Whatever the reason, if you are looking for the ideal car for your family, you simply can’t go wrong with the Kia Soul. From a powerful yet economical engine to a host of fun features, here are six ways to maximize your road trip with a Kia Soul. The 2020 Kia Soul features a redesign like no other.
Power to Spare
Since you are going to be hauling your family and all of their gear on your next road trip, you need a car that has plenty of power. The Kia Soul features a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that develops an impressive 130 horsepower and transfers 118 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via your choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Getting There for Less
If you are planning a series of long road trips this year, you probably have a budget in mind that covers food, fun, lodging, and most importantly the cost of fuel. Both the automatic transmission and manual gearbox versions of the Soul offer class-leading fuel economy ratings of 24 city/30 highway mpg, making the cost of your trips a bit easier on your wallet.
Seating
Seating always seems to be an issue with regard to road trips, quite simply there never seems to be quite enough room for everyone. The Kia Soul not only offers seating for up to five people, it offers more leg, hip, shoulder, and headroom than most other vehicles in its class. There is almost 41-inches of legroom up front and just over 39-inches for those in the back seat.
Cargo Space
It only stands to reason that if you are going on a road trip, you probably have lots of baggage. The Kia Soul offers you a full 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 61.3 cubic feet if you fold them down.
Entertainment
What fun would a road trip be without your favorite tunes? The base model comes with a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio and both an aux input jack and USB connection. All Souls are Bluetooth enabled for hands-free phone and streaming. If you upgrade to the Soul+ trim you also get an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and HD radio along with a premium 8-speaker sound system from Infinity audio.
Convenience
The Kia Soul comes with a range of convenience features such as power windows/door locks, air conditioning in all trims, a height adjustable driver’s seat, driver adjustable steering settings, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Soul+ ups the ante with automatic climate control, front center armrest with built-in storage, and the Uvo eServices infotainment system. The Soul! adds in an 8-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support and leather upholstery.
If you are looking for the perfect road trip car, the award-winning Kia Soul is the perfect blend of compact size, spacious interior, and fun to drive. Not to mention the fact it comes in a wide range of incredibly fun colors to choose from.
“Image” via Pixabay by ErikaWittlieb. Used with permission via Creative Commons CC0 | cropped from original