The Soul is likely Kia’s best known model and for a really good reason. It comes with a unique design and a really nice set of features for the price. The end result is a subcompact crossover that has a much better value for money than pretty much all of its rivals. The ongoing version has been released back in 2013 and it just received its mid-life update with the 2017 Kia Soul. The car has been improved inside and out so it should be even better value for money than before. There still are some drawbacks with it but more on those later. Until then let’s take a closer look at what makes the Soul so special and why does it sell so well?
Source: autoblog.com
More information on its appeal- The 2017 Kia Soul
As we mentioned above, the Soul looks like nothing else on the road and that’s great. Kia adopted this design scheme because it gives the car character and it makes people bond with it. On top of its funky design the Soul also gets a lot of customization options which allow people to have their own unique car. The new 2017 version builds on everything that made the previous model great and it shows. The price for the new car is likely not going to change much. The base model should still start at around $15,000. However, the new SX version of the car is expected to cost slightly more than $23,000. This new model adds a new engine to the range as well as a new gearbox and some upgrades inside and out.
Source: autoblog.com
Let’s start with the interior
Here the 2017 Kia Soul received a new upholstery which can now be had in three different colors including two new two-tonne color schemes. There is a new Orange Design package which will combine the gray upholstery with the orange stitching and dashboard accents for a contrasting look. On top of that there will also be available a couple more packages such as the Urban Active. However, these will not only add inside the cabin but also on the outside. Here the buyer will also get to opt a 4, 7 or 8 inch infotainment system.
Source: motor1.com
The looks
Here the new Soul is very similar to the ongoing model. The changes come on the new SX model which gets a more aggressive front end, a small splitter at the back as well as new paint schemes. There is also a new dual-exhaust on its right side and chrome accents in the front and at the back. The new model also adds new wheels which are larger than before as well as better tires and a few new packages. These will combine a base color with contrasting accents and will work just like those for its interior.
Source: autoblog.com
2017 Kia Soul – The engine options
The 2017 Kia Soul gets three instead of the two engines of the current model. The base naturally aspirated 1.6 liter inline 4 as well as the larger 2 liter unit remain the same as before. The news come in the form of a new 1.6 liter turbocharged inline 4 T-GDI unit. This Hyundai powertrain offers 201 horsepower and it should allow the Soul to hit 62 MPH in just 7.8 seconds. This particular version will only be available with a seven speed dual-clutch unit and front wheel drive. It is unclear if a limited slip differential will be available but at this point it seems it won’t. The European market will also benefit from a 1.6 liter diesel with 136 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque which is expected to become the best seller here. Unfortunately the US market will have to do with the three petrol engines.
Source: motor1.com
