The Soul does the utility-vehicle dance differently than just about every other nameplate on the market. It鈥檚 a formula that has been attempted by other automakers 鈥� think about the Honda Element 鈥� but none as successfully as Kia鈥檚 smash-hit funky wagon.
The urban runabout was designed primarily for the youth market, but has wound up in the driveways of wider swath of buyers since its 2010-model-year launch. The Soul鈥檚 attention-getting bodywork was updated four years later, and for the 2020 model year, the vehicle receives a complete overhaul, including a new structure, updated content and revised powertrain choices.
The new Soul retains the quirkiness of previous models, but the front end 鈥� previously the least-attractive spot 鈥� now displays a minimal grille above a large air intake that appears influenced by current Toyota models. There are also slimmed-down headlights and dominating running light/fog light pods positioned below a rounder hood. Somehow, Kia鈥檚 designers found a way to make these disparate features sync together.
Vertically shaped taillights are conjoined to a light bar extending across the roofline that almost completely encircles the wider hatch opening, providing a squared-off appearance.
The interior has likewise been updated, with modern graphic displays for the gauge cluster and an available 26-centimetre touchscreen. The previous dual speakers that were set above the dashboard鈥檚 air vents have been relocated to the front door panels聽and are part of an available mood-lighting system. Its six different settings, with names such as Party Time, Romance, Hey! and Midnight City, will pulse to the beat of whatever music being played through the audio system.
The 2020 Soul receives a lighter and stiffer platform that results in the car鈥檚 capacities changing, however slightly. Overall length increases by about five centimetres and the distance between the front and rear wheels gains a bit more than an 2.5 centimetres. Likewise, cargo capacity behind the rear seat is up a touch, while both body width and height remain unchanged.
Ground clearance measures 17 centimetres, or slightly more than that of the previous model. This despite the fact that the Soul remains a front-wheel driver and is not designed to go off road.
The bottom line: The Soul is just as spacious as it has always been, with plenty of head and legroom for even the tallest occupants and a commanding view of the surrounding scenery.
The Soul鈥檚 three available engine picks have been reduced to two for 2020.
The previous base 130-horsepower 1.6-litre four-cylinder and the optional 161-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder have been replaced by a single (and new) 2.0-litre that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
The optional turbocharged 1.6 carries over from 2019 at 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the base Soul LX, while a continuously variable unit (CVT) is available on that trim and is standard with the S, X-Line, EX and GT-Line 2.0L.
The top-level GT-Line 1.6T is the only model equipped with the turbo engine, which is mated to a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission.
For best fuel economy, the 2.0 four-cylinder with the CVT is rated at 8.6 l/100 km in the city, 7.1 on the highway and 7.8 combined.
The Soul LX starts at $23,000 (including destination fees), with the GT-Line Limited 1.6T and topping out at $31,400.
Also in the lineup is the Soul EV ($44,500), with 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque (previously 109/210). Maximum range jumps to 383 kilometres from 178.
The EV and the gasoline-powered Souls are indicative of Kia鈥檚 efforts to keep the boxy attention-getter as a popular pick in its class, even if that class has only one bona fide member.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Four-door, front-wheel-drive compact utility vehicle
Engines (h.p.): 2.0-litre DOHC I-4 (247); 1.6-litre DOHC I-4, turbocharged (201)
Transmissions: Six-speed manual; continuously variable (CVT); seven-speed automated manual (std. with turbo I-4)
Market position: For the past decade, the Kia Soul has turned the small-utility-vehicle class upside-down. It鈥檚 a case of practicality running headlong into offbeat styling that makes this hard-to-categorize model so desirable.
Points: Second-generation model keeps its unusual looks, but has matured somewhat. 鈥� Elevated interior content is now more up to date. 鈥� New base engine is more powerful and fuel efficient, while optional turbo I-4 makes for a sportier drive. 鈥� Upcoming EV version should give the competition a run for its money in performance and range.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic backup alert (opt.); active cruise control (opt.); emergency braking (opt.); drowsy-driver alert (opt.)
Fuel economy, L/100 km (city/hwy) 8.6/7.1 (2.0, MT);
Base price (incl. destination) $23,000
