2017 Kia Soul: Wacky debut SUV finds maturity

When it joined the car-in-a-box lineup in 2010, the Kia Soul was a novelty. Its unique styling garnered a lot of attention, not all of it good. But the 2017 Kia Soul is now a mature sport utility vehicle, a less expensive option against top-selling new rivals from Ford and Mazda. Its former new breed counterparts, the Honda Element, Nissan Cube and Scion Xb, are defunct.

The Weekly Driver Test Drive

Now in the fourth year of its second generation, the 2017 Kia Soul is in a segment of its own — if it can be classified. Is it a wagon, sport utility vehicle or crossover?

Regardless, the Soul is available in base, + (plus) and ! (Exclaim) trims. (Kia uses symbols rather than words.) The latter was my weekly driver. The ! trim features a new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The two other trims have six-speed manual transmissions with a six-speed automatic as an option.

Long gone is the Soul’s wacky debut body style, which joined the Nissan Cube and Scion Xb among the most drastic exteriors in the industry. Instead, the Soul now has a more rounded design featuring a variety of wild exterior paint colors. My test vehicle’s exterior color was “Wild Orange” with red trim.

Driving the 2017 Kia Soul, like it was when I last drove the vehicle 2014, is a combination of fun, practicality and versatility. It won’t win acceleration contests, but the turbo-charger helps, although it’s not without shortcomings. There’s a noticeable lag in the system, even in sport mode.

Steering is nimble and maneuvering around town, through parking lots and in highway situations, is accomplished without blind spots. The Kia Soul’s fun-to-drive attitude is refreshing.

Seats are well-bolstered and patterned with leather trim with cloth inserts. There’s a lot of black plastic that looks rather sophisticated. All console functions are intuitive. The eight-speaker, 315-watt Harmon Kardon sound system is high quality, including two vertical speakers installed as columns on each side of the dash. Another keen small touch: A bottom flat steering wheel.

Standard equipment is extensive: navigation, heated steering wheel, heated seats, blind-spot warning as well as blind-spot warning and cross-path detection. The rear cargo area isn’t the biggest, but it’s easily accessible, all usable. The cargo cover retracts in two stages.

There’s plenty of room for front and rear-seat passengers, but front seat occupants have a more comfortable experience. Rear occupants in my drives with friends noted, “feeling every bump.” Tall occupants will be particularly pleased since there’s a lot of head room.

Likes:

Designers did a great job with passenger and cargo space distribution. Long list of standard features. Best warranty in the industry.

Dislikes:

Better acceleration next year? Rough ride for rear seat passengers. Turbo-charger lag.

Facts & Figures: 2017 Kia Soul

Specification	Details
Engine	1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder (Exclaim)
Horsepower	201
Transmission	7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy	26 city / 31 hwy / 28 combined mpg
Fuel Type	Regular Gasoline
Airbags	6
Warranty	Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price	$22,650
Price As Tested	$22,770

How It Compares

Vehicle	Starting Price
2017 Honda HR-V
2017 Nissan Juke
2017 Jeep Renegade
2017 Mazda CX-3
2017 Fiat 500X

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does the 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim have?

The new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the ! trim produces 201 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Kia Soul?

EPA ratings for the turbocharged Exclaim are 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined on regular gasoline.

What trim levels does the 2017 Kia Soul offer?

Three trims: base, + (Plus), and ! (Exclaim). Only the Exclaim carries the new 201-hp turbocharged engine. The other two use a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four paired with a 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic.

How much does the 2017 Kia Soul cost?

The Exclaim trim carries an MSRP of $22,650 and reached $22,770 as-tested, nearly stripped of options because of how much comes standard.

What standard features come on the 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim?

Standard equipment includes navigation, a Harman Kardon 315-watt 8-speaker audio system, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, blind-spot warning with cross-path detection, a rearview camera, and a retractable cargo cover.

Is the 2017 Kia Soul an SUV or a wagon?

Technically it’s classified as a compact crossover, though its boxy profile borrows visual cues from the defunct ‘box car’ category that once included the Honda Element, Nissan Cube, and Scion xB.

Does the 2017 Kia Soul have turbo lag?

Yes. There’s noticeable lag before the turbocharger spools, even in Sport mode. Once on boost, the engine delivers its 201 horsepower strongly.

What are the main rivals to the 2017 Kia Soul?

Primary competitors include the Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, and Fiat 500X in the subcompact crossover segment.