The Kia Soul is a compelling alternative to compact sedans and SUVs. It’s small on the outside but feels roomy inside. Its practical, boxy design gives it a cheerful personality.
The third-generation model was new for 2020. Its exterior may look familiar, but Kia has improved the Soul’s fuel economy and added advanced safety features.
A new continuously variable transmission (CVT) helped to improve the Soul’s fuel economy to 28 mpg overall, up 2 mpg from the previous version we tested. The engine and transmission together contribute to predictable and appropriate acceleration and power. However, engine noise is noticeable under heavy demand, such as when drivers are merging onto the highway or taking a steep hill.
Unfortunately, Kia hasn’t improved the Soul's ride. The car feels stiff and jittery even on smooth pavement, and it jolts over bumps and potholes.
Handling is nimble, and the Soul remains stable when driven enthusiastically into turns. Although its vague steering doesn’t inspire sporty driving, the Soul demonstrated outstanding tire grip when we pushed it to its limits on our track. We also measured an impressively high speed in our avoidance maneuver test, which mimics an emergency swerve around an obstacle such as a deer or road debris.
The Soul’s interior is surprisingly roomy for such a small car. Big windows give the cabin an airy feeling and help front visibility. Kia retained the elevated seating position and large doors, which offer easy access in and out.
The rear seat space is quite generous and seems to defy the Soul’s small footprint. The cargo area is tiny, so large items only fit with the rear seats folded down.
Some interior materials look good but feel cheap, and seat comfort varies depending on the trim line. That’s why we think it’s worth at least getting the S version, which adds a power driver seat with lumbar support, keyless entry, an upgraded infotainment system, and automatic climate control. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard on all trims.
For 2023, all trims have a robust safety suite that includes forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection. Blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) are standard on S and higher trims, but optional on the base LX.