Famous for great balance between affordability and practicality, the Soul has been one of Kia’s most popular models for years. The current generation is no exception but the company wants to be sure to keep that state. So, it’s no wonder that the 2023 Kia Soul gets a mid-cycle refresh. This update brings interesting changes and we have no doubt they will help Soul remain fresh and competitive for another few years.
Among changes, the most notable are those in terms of styling. The new model gets an updated exterior, particularly at the front. However, these aren’t the only changes, considering that the turbo engine has been discontinued. The Soul remains on just one powertrain option but on the other hand, it comes with more standard safety features.
The Korean manufacturer already presented the new model and we expect that it will hit the market this fall.
2023 Kia Soul Design
As we’ve just mentioned, the 2023 Kia Soul receives a mid-cycle update. This is a typical facelift, where the focus is on visual updates. The company already presented the updated model and what we can see is a more attractive design, thanks to several modifications to the front end. This particularly refers to the new grille, which is bigger and features a new mesh pattern. Furthermore, the bumper is sharper and more aggressive, while the headlights have been revised as well. On the rear end, you can notice the new bumper, while there are also typical mid-cycle updates, such as new wheels and color options.
On the other hand, the mechanical aspect of the vehicle remains the same. The new model continues with the same chassis and suspension setup, so the driving experience is pretty much the same. This small crossover is easy to drive and offers pretty nimble handling.
Interior
On the inside, the 2023 Kia Soul continues mostly in the same way, but there are still some pretty interesting novelties. The most notable is the new digital instrument cluster, which is standard in all trim levels. Other than that, you can notice nicer materials in certain areas, new color schemes and similar things.
The overall quality is pretty decent, especially if we consider the class standards. Still, the Soul’s main quality is practicality. Thanks to the boxy shape, the amount of headroom is pretty impressive in both rows. The legroom is decent as well, so it’s no wonder that adults can fit comfortably in both rows of seats. For the same reason, the cargo area also offers some pretty respectable numbers. You may count on about 24.2 cubic feet of space behind the back row and 62.1 cubic feet with the back row folded, which is pretty impressive for a subcompact SUV.
Trim Levels and Features
The trim level organization will include LX, S, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Tech models.
The base LX will come standard with goodies like a digital instrument cluster, 8-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth seats, six-speaker audio system, automatic headlights, remote keyless entry etc.
The S trim level adds goodies like alloy wheels, power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, 10.25-inch touchscreen, and push-button start.
The EX trim adds bigger wheels, upgraded upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sunroof, heated front seats etc.
The GT-Line adds even bigger 18-inch wheels, chrome exhaust, upgraded bumpers, foglights, leather and cloth seats, flat-bottom steering wheel etc.
Finally, the GT-Line Tech model comes with LED headlights, a premium audio system, adaptive cruise control, electronic parking brake.
2023 Kia Soul Engines
The turbo-four has been dropped from the offer, so the 2023 Kia Soul comes with a single powertrain option. That is a 2.0-liter inline-four, which puts out around 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The engine comes in pair with a CVT gearbox and offers decent performance. More importantly, it offers pretty decent fuel economy, which goes around 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is about average for the segment.
2023 Kia Soul Release Date and Price
We expect to see the 2023 Kia Soul on sale later this year. The starting price should go around 21.000 dollars. Key competitors are models like Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona etc.