What am I doing? Oh you know, just lighting up the tires in the new third-
generation Kia Soul. I'm driving the GTE line with the 201 horsepower 1.6-liter
turbocharged engine, and off the line takes a moment for the engine to really
hit its power band at about 3,000 rpms. But when it hits, it hits pretty hard.
The zippy 1.6-liter turbo mill which comes matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch
transmission marks the pinnacle of the all-new 2020 Kia Soul lineup. All other
Souls including the standard GT line using a 2.0-liter engine. Manual
transmission fans will find a six-speed unit available in the base LX trim, but
otherwise the 2.0-liter engine comes teamed with a continuously variable
transmission. While naturally aspirated Souls will not light the tarmac on fire
with their speed, the overall driving experience is excellent. With the longer
wheelbase the latest generation Kia Soul has a greater sense of stability and
road refinement. Drive quality is really quite good, and I've driven the first
generation Kia Soul. This is a lot better. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about
the third-generation Kia Soul is that they've made a vehicle that looks
utterly familiar yet totally different. The Soul's distinct profile carries on
from the previous two generations, but the latest rendition presents a more
aggressive face that I really like. Stylistically the GT line adds sport
18-inch wheels, red accents and unique fascias to the equation.
Meanwhile the EX line comes adorned with hearty body cladding, 18-inch wheels and
front-wheel drive. Besides the maddening lack of an
all-wheel drive option, the EX line is perfectly pleasant transportation. Kia's
continuously variable transmission also found on the forte does a wonderful
job maximizing the engines modest 147 horsepower output without subjecting the
driver to traditional CVT vices. During hard acceleration it mimics the gear
changes of an automatic in smooth, audibly satisfying fashion. There's also
a Soul EV in the roster. Enticing with an expected 243-mile electric range. We
look forward to driving it soon, and I have yet to set eyes on a basic
non GT line non EX line and non-electric Soul if you spot one send me a pic. On
that note, the most efficient Soul is the EX trim. Like the two previous
generations the latest Kia Soul makes a great use of space passengers and cargo
have. Plenty of room even though the vehicle is a very small footprint. Where
interior quality is concerned there are soft bits in the places you'll touch
the most. Yeah there's hard plastics elsewhere, but that keeps the price down.
The latest Soul is also technologically astute. A seven-inch screen comes standard
with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the 10.25-inch unit in this model is
pretty sweet, very horizontal. Other features offered on higher trims include
smart key access, wireless phone charging, a head-up display, dynamic cruise control,
lane keep assist, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and
yes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration are standard
across the board. Right now you're probably wondering how much the latest
Kia Soul costs. Well starting at the top, the GT line
with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine rings in at $28,485
including destination charges. That's a
full $7,200 more than the GT line with the 2-liter engine.
That seems pricey. Remember the 1.6-liter GT line offers zippy acceleration, larger
disc brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, a bunch of fancy features, and an interior
blessed with more premium materials and red stitching. You love red stitching
don't you? Don't you? Moving downward the EX line cost about $22,500 t
while the least expensive manual equipped Soul XL
costs a mere $18,485. At these prices why not buy
two? When it first launched the Kia Soul had competitors like the Scion xB, Honda
Element, and Nissan Cube to consider. Now they're all dead the Kia Soul is the
only one to endure. What's remarkable is that now that it's in its third
generation, the Kia Soul is SUV-like form factor and sassy style, it's more relevant
than ever. Well done Soul.