2022 Kia Soul

　　

2022 Kia Soul Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Kia Soul is one of the rare vehicles that defies easy categorization. On the outside, the Soul resembles a boxy SUV, but its car-like ride height and lack of all-wheel drive make it more like a hatchback. While its taxonomy might be confusing, the Soul's wide range of strengths makes it one of our favorite small runabouts.

　　For 2022, the Soul gets a few updates that build on its recent 2020 redesign. The larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is now more widely available, and the base touchscreen is a little bigger, growing from 7 inches to 8 inches. Fans of the manual transmission will need to pour another one out, however, because the Soul has lost its shift-it-yourself gearbox.

　　The Kia Soul is one of our favorite small vehicles, and you should add it to your short list if you're looking for a useful but charismatic car. Other strong contenders from this segment are the new and impressive Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Hyundai Kona and the sporty Mazda CX-30. Take a look at our detailed Soul Expert Rating below to learn more.

　　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

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　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 8.8 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-3 and Mini Countryman. The only true downside is the touchy brake pedal, which takes some getting used to. The brake response builds too quickly, so you have to be smooth on the brakes to avoid lurching. Unlike some other subcompacts, the Soul doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below