The 2019 Kia Soul marches to its own beat, offering loads of upscale features in a small, boxy wagon with a low-price and an incredible standard warranty. Unlike most of its rivals, the Soul offers buyers a choice of three engines, including a powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder that erases all fears of pokey performance and inadequate passing power. However, the Soul has fallen behind in some areas, such as its optional driver assists that come standard on competitors like the Toyota CH-R and Mazda CX-3. As always, the Soul’s amazing 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty remains in place, as does its strong resale and reliability record.
Many of the Soul’s competitors offer similar flashy exterior colors and cool wheels, but they usually fall flat once you gain access to the interior. This is not so in the Soul. Hop into the driver’s seat and you’re immediately struck by the copious supply of high-quality surfaces, stylish design themes and an impressive equipment roster. The 2019 Soul is still a head-turner, to be sure, but it also cultivates a premium vibe for those inside, and that’s sure to broaden its appeal. See the 2019 Kia Soul models for sale near you
What’s New for 2019?
For 2019, the base Kia Soul gains a 5-inch touchscreen with a rearview monitor, voice activation and auto on/off headlights.
What We Like
Premium interior look and feel; refined ride; ample cargo space; rich feature content; distinctive styling; powerful turbocharged engine
What We Don’t
Average fuel economy; uninspired acceleration with base engine; no all-wheel-drive version; best driver-assist features not available on turbocharged or base model
How Much?
$17,430–$28,000
Fuel Economy
The base Soul is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 130 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. Choose the standard 6-speed manual transmission, and the Environmental Protection Agency says you’ll get 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Chose the 6-speed automatic, and those numbers move to 26 mpg city/31 mpg hwy.
The Soul Plus (+) models feature a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that generates 161 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed automatic is the only transmission offered. Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at 25 mpg city/30 mpg hwy.
The Soul Exclaim (!) is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, making 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. EPA estimates for this engine are a respectable 26 mpg city/31 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
The 2019 Kia Soul 5-passenger hatchback is offered in base, Plus (+) and Exclaim (!) trim levels.
The base Soul ($17,430) starts with the manual transmission, the smaller 1.6-liter engine, 16-in alloy wheels, power accessories, variable intermittent wipers, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, rear privacy glass, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, Flexsteer driver-selectable steering feel, auto on/off headlights, steering-wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, a trip computer, manual air conditioning and a 6-speaker audio system with a 5-in touchscreen, rearview monitor, satellite radio in addition to USB and auxiliary audio jacks.
The Soul Plus ($21,430) adds the automatic transmission, the larger 2.0-liter engine, 17-in alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic climate control, Drive Mode Select, heated exterior mirrors, a front center console with an armrest, UVO3 with a 7-in color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, remote keyless entry, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, a rear center armrest with cup holders, cruise control, 1-touch up/down passenger power windows and 12-volt power outlets in the cargo area (the base model only has them in the main cabin).
The Soul Exclaim ($23,930) boasts unique 18-in alloy wheels, a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, larger front disc brakes, automatic headlights, power-folding exterior mirrors, supervision meter cluster with 4.3-in color LCD display, leather seating surfaces, push-button start with Smart Key and a leather-wrapped D-shaped steering wheel and shift knob.
Options on the base model include the automatic transmission and the Convenience package that adds 7-in touchscreen audio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, auto on/off headlights, rear-camera display and automatic temperature control.
The Plus model offers the Audio package that includes leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, upgraded dashboard and door trim, a navigation system with an 8-in touchscreen, UVO telematics with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Harman Kardon sound system with a subwoofer, pulsating speaker illumination, push-button start with Smart Key, two USB charging points, a leatherette meter hood and piano black accents. The Primo Lit package requires the Audio package and adds a panoramic sunroof, supervision meter cluster with 4.3-in TFT color LCD display, a heated steering wheel, a 10-way power driver’s seat, 8-way power passenger seat, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, HID headlights, LED taillights and power-folding mirrors.
The Designer Collection package offers 2-tone roof and trim, 18-in wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Exclaim, meanwhile, is eligible for the Panoramic Sunroof package that adds a panoramic sunroof, and the Technology package that brings much of the same equipment as the Plus’ Audio and Primo Lit package plus HID headlights and power-folding side mirrors, but minus the lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems.
Safety
The 2019 Kia Soul comes standard with stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, height-adjustable front seat belts and six airbags (front, front-side and full-length side-curtain). Optional equipment includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Soul its highest rating of five stars overall, while the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the Soul its highest rating of Good in all applicable crash-test categories and a Top Safety Pick Plus rating.
Behind the Wheel
The 2019 Soul’s refinement on the road is a revelation. When the first generation arrived, we thought of the Soul as just an economy car with a funky wrapper, but this latest version is actually a respectable high-speed cruiser, remaining quiet and composed in the fast lane. The suspension’s compliance over bumps is likewise greatly improved, ranking with the best at this price, even with the Exclaim model’s low-profile 18-in tires. We find the 3-level adjustable steering gimmicky, but it’s nice that Kia gives you the option.
Given these great strides in driving dynamics, we’re disappointed in what’s under the hood. The base 1.6-liter engine is weaker than the Kia Rio subcompact’s unit, and it delivers meager acceleration in the larger Soul. As for the 2.0-liter engine, Kia trumpets its direct-injection technology and improved low-end torque, but it still feels soft, and it sends a fair amount of racket into the otherwise hushed cabin at full throttle. The Soul’s turbocharged 1.6-liter engine does the trick, but you’ll have to opt for the most expensive trim to get it.
What’s more, the Soul’s maximum of 31 mpg is unimpressive by current standards, where most of the Soul’s competitors are pushing past the 35-mpg mark.
Other Cars to Consider
2019 Honda Fit — The Fit’s amazingly spacious interior is great for hauling stuff, and it gets better fuel economy to boot. Its loud, gaudy interior pales in comparison, however.
2019 Mazda CX-3 — If you’re looking at a Soul Plus or Exclaim with some options, stop by a Mazda dealer and see if there’s a CX-3 for about the same price. We really like the Mazda’s mix of style, performance, space and efficiency. It also offers all-wheel drive.
2019 Toyota Prius — You might not think of the Soul and Prius as rivals, but the Prius is likewise a roomy hatchback that’s not too expensive. It also offers the added benefit of incredible fuel economy.
Used Kia Sportage — A 2011-2017 Kia Sportage will offer many of the same cool features as the Soul, but with the bonus of all-wheel drive and a more poweful turbocharged engine. Get a certified pre-owned car, and Kia will reinstate the original 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Autotrader’s Advice
The Exclaim with the Technology package is tempting, but it results in a pricey Soul, so we suggest looking at the Plus model with the Audio package. If you’re looking for more safety features, add the Primo Lit package, which, ironically, is only offered on the middle Plus trim and with limited color choices. Find a Kia Soul for sale
The problem is that they hire in bottles with the packages even though the packages are pricey it illuminates the 66 speed transmission. I just went to Century Kia in Tampa and had a really good experience and they showed me a black model with a six speed of course it has front wheel drive. I prefer a real wheel drive but it was really a nice vehicle especially with the dark tent. It’s black with cloth seats I would prefer the X claim or maybe the plus I don’t want to panoramic sunroof because I’ve had too much skin damage but the point is why don’t they offer the manual transmission I really don’t trust that particular transmission the way it’s set up even though they do have a good warranty on it. I think the price at 19 to 20,000 of the base model is a little bit too high to me it’s worth between 16 and 17,000 but the dealer said that in a few months the 2020 miles will be out if you remember that was the singularity were robots taking over so maybe I can have a robot drive my car. I rented one up in Tennessee and I really enjoyed it it was a 2010. This is a non-paid endorsement of what I learned today and I’m glad to share it with anyone who is interested. I’m still not convinced but I may buy one but I really need a sports car as a second car anyway And that’s why I really like the MX five but for what I want to nap at about 25,000 if I could pull in Amex by let’s say at 20,000 maybe a demo I buy one this is a very well written article very intuitive but I think they’re a little too hard on the Kia. It is a Korean car is not going to have all those upgrades if you want to would shifter and you want a little more interior then you could probably put it in I really don’t prefer leather seats thanks for listening #neurogu and that’s why I really like the MX five but for what I want to nap for about 25,000 if I could pull in an MX five let’s say at 20,000 maybe a demo and buy one this is a very well written article very intuitive but I think they’re a little too hard on the Kia. It is a Korean car is not going to have all those upgrades if you want to wood shifter and you want a little more interior $ leather than you could probably put it in I really don’t prefer leather seats thanks for listening ##Neuroguru if that warranty really does hold up that means you could drive that car for a really long time most cars are only good for 50,000 although my 1974 Mercedes-Benz 240 diesel did last 1,000,000 miles but I put three engines in it no other car has this kind of a warranty and I think it would hold up very well I may want to track at a little bit tonight but that’s my preference