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Overall Rating
(1 reviews)2018 Kia Soul
Danielle Howie • May 16, 2024
3.5Great performance on the highway and driving in town also gets great gas mileage about 28 highway mpg my var has cloth seats which is ideal in Florida as leather burns back up camera is a god send big display for radio and gagues...Read More
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
PLUS 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
PLUS 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
+ 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
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4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
+ FWD
+ FWD
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
+ 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
Overall Rating
The base engine is a bit less on power but, with the extra money you put into the vehicle, you will get a brilliant 1.6-liter turbocharged engine which makes 201hp. The Lack of AWD is a bit of a letdown, but at this price point, it is a good buy.
The Kia Soul is the compact wagon offering and comes with three trim options and each trim getting its own engine. The base is a 1.4-liter inline-4 makes 130hp and starting at an MSRP of $16,100, the Souli is one of the most affordable cars on the market. Also, has a lot of space in the rear seat and trunk making it practical too.
The Exclaim trims add extra swank along with a peppy turbocharged engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. It also comes fitted with extras like leather-trimmed seats and enhanced smartphone integration.
+ FWD
PLUS 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
PLUS 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
Danielle Howie
2018 Kia Soul
••3.5Posted On: May 16, 2024
Good on gas, Can rely on it
Body damage, It's not big enough
Great performance on the highway and driving in town also gets great gas mileage about 28 highway mpg my var has cloth seats which is ideal in Florida as leather burns back up camera is a god send big display for radio and gagues
The base engine is a bit less on power but, with the extra money you put into the vehicle, you will get a brilliant 1.6-liter turbocharged engine which makes 201hp. The Lack of AWD is a bit of a letdown, but at this price point, it is a good buy.
The Kia Soul is the compact wagon offering and comes with three trim options and each trim getting its own engine. The base is a 1.4-liter inline-4 makes 130hp and starting at an MSRP of $16,100, the Souli is one of the most affordable cars on the market. Also, has a lot of space in the rear seat and trunk making it practical too.
There is certainly no shortage of trims to choose from. The Soul is available in three trim levels: base, Plus (+), and Exclaim (!). Prices for the Soul start from $16,100 and goes up to $22,800 for the top trim. As every Soul edition has a different powertrain, picking the right one depends on both the features you want.
|
Trims |
Soul Base |
Soul+ |
Soul! |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$16,100 |
$20,300 |
$22,800 |
|
Features |
Bluetooth Wireless Technology |
6-Speed Automatic w/ Sportmatic |
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) w/ Sportmatic |
|
AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM radio |
UVO w/ 7.0″ Touch-Screen and Rear-Camera Display |
Smart Key w/ Push-Button Start and Immobilizer |
|
|
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat. |
Automatic Temperature Control w/ Cluster Ionizer. |
Black Cloth/Leather Seat Trim w/ Orange Contrast Stitching. |
Soul base comes standard with a 1.6-liter inline-4 engine with six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is available for $1,600. But, you do get a lot in the technology department including Bluetooth and SiriusXM.
Plus trim is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, a 7” touchscreen, and rear camera display along with automatic temperature control with cluster ionizer.
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The exclaim stands out with its turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, which is matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This top-of-the-line edition also comes with leather trimmings on the seats, steering wheel, and shift knob.
The base Soul is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 making 131 horsepower and can be paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. The 2.0-liter inline-4 in the mid-trim level Plus ("+") model makes 161 horsepower, and it's matched up to a six-speed automatic.
The most powerful of the engines are the turbocharged inline-4 powering the Soul Exclaim. With 201 horsepower and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
|
Models |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$16,100 |
$19,570 |
$17,850 |
$20,110 |
|
Engine |
1.6-liter 4-cylinder Gas engine |
1.8LInline 4 Gas Engine |
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine |
2.0LInline 4 Gas Engine |
|
Transmission |
6 speed manual |
6 speed Manual |
6-speed manual |
6 speed Automatic |
|
Power |
130hp @ 6300 rpm |
141hp @ 6500 rpm |
161hp @ 6200 rpm |
146hp @ 6000 rpm |
|
Torque |
118 ft-lbs @ 4850 rpm |
127 ft-lbs. @ 4300 rpm |
150 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm |
146 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm |
The most powerful of the above is the Hyundai Elantra GT which makes 161 hp. Then comes the Mazda CX-3 which makes 146 hp, the Honda HR-V making 141 hp, and then comes the Kia Soul making 130 hp.
The base 1.6-liter 4-cylinder and the Plus's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 and 8.4 seconds respectively and do the standing quarter-mile time in 16.6 and 17.0 seconds respectively.
The Exclaim's 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 does the 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and a 15-second quarter-mile time.
|
Models |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0-60 MPH |
8.3 |
9.3 |
7.2 |
8.6 |
|
Quarter mile |
16.6 |
16.8 |
15.5 |
16.3 |
|
Engine |
1.6L |
1.8L |
2.0L |
2.0L |
|
Top Speed |
112 |
125 |
130 |
NA |
The Hyundai Elantra GT is the fastest setting of time or 7.2 seconds and 15.5 seconds in the 0 to 60 sprint standing quarter-mile time respectively. Following this is the Kia Soul with 0-60 sprint time of 8.3 seconds, then comes the Mazda CX-3 with a time of 8.6 seconds, and finally the Honda HR-V with a time of 9.3 seconds.
The Soul is surprisingly agile and, dare we say, it's fun on the winding road as well. Although it takes a little getting used to, you can drive it much harder than you would expect. This Kia is very easy to drive with confidence whether you are commuting or maneuvering in a tight spot
The front-wheel-drive Soul isn't quite as responsive as its styling suggests, but it's smooth and stable on the highway. Body roll is at a minimum, and steering effort feels right at all speeds. It lightens up at the parking lot and gets heavier as speed increases.
Kia has equipped the Soul with 4-Wheel Disc Brakes which have 11-inch rotors on the front and 10.3-inch rotors on the rear which are big enough to bring the compact wagon to a stop in 114 feet. The brakes also have the feature of an anti-lock braking system.
|
Model |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brake pads-front(in) |
11.0 |
11.5 |
11.0 |
11.0 |
|
Brake pads Rear(in) |
10.3 |
11.1 |
10.3 |
11.1 |
|
Curb weight(lbs) |
2884 |
2888 |
2901 |
2809 |
|
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
114 |
127 |
118 |
117 |
The Kia Soul has the shortest stopping distance from 60 miles an hour to 0, of 114'. Following this is the Mazda CX-3 with a stopping distance of 117 feet, Hyundai Elantra GT which does it in 118 feet, and then comes the Honda HR-V with a stopping distance of 127 feet.
The Kia Soul doesn't earn the stellar fuel economy rating when compared to others in the class. The base Soul earns an EPA rating of 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highways, and 27 mpg Combined when it's outfitted with a 6-speed automatic. With the available 6-speed manual, mileage drops to 24/30/27 mpg. The Plus model equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 is rated at 25/30/27 mpg. The top trim Exclaim with a 1.6-liter turbo-4 is the most efficient and offers 26/31/28 mpg. All the trims come with a 14.2-gallon fuel tank.
|
Model |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mpg city |
25 |
25 |
23 |
29 |
|
Mpg highway |
30 |
33 |
31 |
34 |
|
Mpg combined |
27 |
28 |
26 |
31 |
|
Fuel Capacity |
14.2 |
13.2 |
14 |
12.7 |
|
Range (city/highway/combined) |
355/426/383 |
330/436/369 |
322/434/364 |
368/432/393 |
And terms of the main range, the Mazda CX-3 offers the most with 393 miles. Then comes the Kia Soul with an offer of 383 miles, the Honda HR-V with 369 miles, and then comes the Hyundai Elantra GT with 364 miles.
The Soul can seat 5 occupants in the interior comfortably. The rear seats are spacious, with plenty of head and legroom for taller passengers. The panoramic sunroof enhances the sense of space. The base trim offers 6-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way manually adjustable front passenger seat and in the higher trim, you can get 10-way and 8-way power-adjustable drivers and front passengers seats.
Materials quality and construction are slightly better than expected for a car at this price. The upholstery at the base is cloth with leather/simulated leather draping the dash and other surfaces.
Even better materials and nicer seat upholstery can be found in the top Exclaim trim and with the Plus Primo package which gives you leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats.
|
Model |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.) |
39.6/55.5/40.9 |
39.5/56.8/41.2 |
39.1/56.2/42.2 |
37.6/53.5/41.7 |
|
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.) |
39.5/54.7/39.1 |
38.3/54.5/39.3 |
38.5/55.4/34.8 |
37.2/50.4/35 |
The most legroom offered in the front is by the Hyundai Elantra GT with 42.2 inches, then comes the Mazda CX-3, the Honda HR-V, and the Kia Soul. However, in the rear seats, the Honda HR-V offers the most legroom followed by the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Hyundai Elantra GT. Some of the interior features in the 2018 Kia Soul are mentioned below:
The 2018 Kia Soul, in its base trim, offers a 5-inch touchscreen, and the Plus and Exclaim trim have a 7-inch touchscreen. Its UVO infotainment system is intuitive and decently responsive, which helps justify its extra cost. There is the standard set of tech features which are the basics and are quite good.
The base Soul comes equipped with:
Thanks to its boxy shape, the Soul makes use of most of the available space. Going by the numbers, the trunk space measures 24.2 cu. ft. The rear seats fold down in 60/40 configuration to offer 61.3 cubic feet of cargo space, this is a lot of space for a “compact” segment car.
|
Model |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Behind Second Row(cube ft.) |
24.2 |
24.3 |
24.9 |
12.4 |
|
Second Row Folded (cube ft.) |
61.2 |
58.8 |
55.1 |
44.5 |
Three of the above cars share a similar 24 cu-ft. of trunk space except for the Mazda CX-3 with 12.4 cu-ft. The difference lies in the expandable cargo bay, the Kia delivers 61.2 cubic feet of cargo bay while the other offer is comparatively lesser.
Being the shortest in the class, Kia Soul is both funky and stylish. No matter how it's equipped, it stands out in traffic. For 2018 Kia gave a brighter look to the Soul by the introduction of a new paint color: Wild Orange. The expensive versions of the Soul wear gloss black and red trim, and most models have body-color bumpers, which unify the look.
Still, even the base models aren't shy on style, and that's rare for cars priced well under $20,000.
|
Model |
Kia Soul |
Honda HR-V |
Hyundai Elantra GT |
Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
curb weight(lbs) |
2884 |
2888 |
2901 |
2809 |
|
Length(in) |
163 |
169.1 |
170.9 |
168.3 |
|
Width(in) |
70.9 |
69.8 |
70.7 |
60 |
|
Height(in) |
63.5 |
63.2 |
57.7 |
60.7 |
|
Ground clearance(in) |
5.6 |
7.1 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
|
Wheelbase(in) |
101.2 |
102.8 |
104.3 |
101.2 |
|
Track width(in) F/R |
62/62.5 |
60.4/60.6 |
61.1/61.5 |
60/59.9 |
In terms of dimensions, the Kia Soul is similar to the competition. The clear difference between the above cars is the curb weight where the Kia Soul, even though in the middle of the weight range it favors the heavier side. Some of the exterior features in the 2018 Kia Soul are listed below:
The NHTSA has given the new Kia Soul a 5-star overall rating, out of a possible 5-stars. According to IIHS, a Soul fitted with the optional automatic emergency braking and HID headlights earns its the Top Safety Pick+ award. Kia does offer a lot of safety features including active safety technologies, some of these safety features are:
The Honda HR-V solitary engine is slow to accelerate as compared to Kia Soul which gives you a more pleasurable drive. For the most part, Soul's cabin is more pleasant, thanks to its comfortable seats and user-friendly infotainment system. Making it an attractive option.
The Mazda CX-3 is quick and has sharp handling, making it a better pick for thrill-seeking drivers. The cabin is upscale and modern, but it lacks the dimensions that the Soul has. The shopaholic, who wants a roomy back seat or substantial cargo space should stick to the Soul.
For some people, bigger is better. If that's the case for you, then you'll be happier with the Hyundai Elantra GT, which is slightly longer and offers more power from a bigger engine. Although, passengers in the back seat will be able to stretch out a lot more in the Kia Soul due to its greater head and legroom.
When it comes to drivetrain GT and Soul do an equal job.
The Kia Soul is more appealing than some of its competitors in a few ways. It has a roomier interior, with greater cargo and rear-seat space than its competition. Its crash scores are great. The soul is also available in more power than some of its rivals with the top trim offering 201 horsepower. Then there is a list of comfort, convenience, and infotainment items that are offered at an astounding price. You can get a lot more for your money by opting for the Soul.
