KiaSoul

2023 Kia Soul Review

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　A decade ago, the boxy compact hatchback segment was booming. If you were in the market for a weird but practical box on wheels, you had the Scion xB, Nissan Cube, Kia Soul and the larger, more SUV-like Honda Element to choose from. Today, only the Soul remains, and due to a midcycle refresh for 2023, it loses some of the quirkiness that made the model so charming.

　　Introduced in 2020, the third-generation Kia Soul took the boxy hatch formula and updated it with sharper styling, a simple interior with unique design elements, and a long list of useful standard features. The 2023 Kia Soul builds on that progress in some ways but sets it back in others. The refreshed Soul loses its distinctive slender headlights in favor of larger, more conventional-looking lamps. The new model also does away with the sporty GT-Line Turbo trim, and with it the Soul's turbocharged four-cylinder engine option.

　　Despite those changes, the Soul is still a budget-priced small car that offers tremendous value in its feature content and a spacious cabin and cargo area thanks to its boxy design. With its cube-shaped contemporaries now extinct, the Soul competes mostly with subcompact SUVs, including the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

　　How does the Soul drive? Maximum acceleration from the 2.0-liter engine is a little lacking, but the Soul feels perfectly spry around town. The steering is natural, and cornering abilities are better than expected. In most cases, the CVT automatic feels like a traditional automatic. In zzdcar' track testing, the Soul posted a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, which is a respectable time for a little SUV.

　　The steering features a light effort that builds up naturally when you move from center. The Soul has cornering abilities similar to sportier rivals such as the Mazda CX-30 and Mini Countryman. While the Soul stops well in panic situations, the only true downside is the touchy brake pedal at low speeds, which takes some getting used to. Unlike some other subcompacts, the Soul doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

Comfort

　　How comfortable is the Soul? The front seats are reasonably comfortable even after you've been sitting for hours. The rear seatback angle is fixed but is set at a comfortable angle. The ride is firm and controlled but never harsh. Unlike some rivals, the Soul doesn't shudder like it's falling apart when it's driven over bigger bumps.

　　At highway speeds, the upright windshield generates a noticeable — but not irritating — level of wind noise, and some tire noise is evident too. Simulated gearshifts mean the engine doesn't drone at full throttle like some CVT automatics.

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