2023 Kia Soul gets refresh
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: California
2023 Kia Soul gets refresh
Styling tweaks are mild but noticeable. The front fascia sees the biggest changes, particularly with the lighting. The upper headlights are larger, though still connected by a bar, and the large lower lamps have pretty much vanished. The rear has some mild changes, too, along with new lighting, and there are new wheels and paint combinations, such as black over white and black over blue. The interior hasn't changed much, but the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen is standard on everything but the base LX trim.
Speaking of trims, the Soul line-up has shrunk. The X-Line model, which featured exterior trim meant to give it an off-road look, is now gone. The GT-Line trim remains for those that want a sporty look, but the GT-Line Turbo with the 201-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and dual-clutch transmission that won us over years ago has been discontinued. As such, all Souls are only available with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a CVT. It makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
What is welcome is the increased number of standard safety features across the line, even on the bare-bones LX. Those features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane centering, automatic high-beam headlights, driver attention alert and rear-seat occupant alert. Some noteworthy available safety features include automatic emergency braking that can detect objects when turning at an intersection and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning with collision avoidance.
The new Soul goes on sale this summer. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect it to continue to start around $20,000 like the outgoing model.
Speaking of trims, the Soul line-up has shrunk. The X-Line model, which featured exterior trim meant to give it an off-road look, is now gone. The GT-Line trim remains for those that want a sporty look, but the GT-Line Turbo with the 201-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and dual-clutch transmission that won us over years ago has been discontinued. As such, all Souls are only available with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a CVT. It makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
What is welcome is the increased number of standard safety features across the line, even on the bare-bones LX. Those features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane centering, automatic high-beam headlights, driver attention alert and rear-seat occupant alert. Some noteworthy available safety features include automatic emergency braking that can detect objects when turning at an intersection and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning with collision avoidance.
The new Soul goes on sale this summer. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect it to continue to start around $20,000 like the outgoing model.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
[QUOTE=Hoovey689;11281828]
Not bad. I like the lower part of the front end
Tail pipe in middle is cute. I like it. Not sure about the lights
Dark roof is pretty neat.
Not bad. But super dated looking with no tablet. I like the gauge cluster. The vents are meh. and the side window vents stick out like a sore thumb,.
Not bad. I like the lower part of the front end
Tail pipe in middle is cute. I like it. Not sure about the lights
Dark roof is pretty neat.
Not bad. But super dated looking with no tablet. I like the gauge cluster. The vents are meh. and the side window vents stick out like a sore thumb,.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,251
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From: ON/NY
naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a CVT. It makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
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From: Washington
You're under the impression that the take rate for the Turbo was anything but miniscule. They're already buying it and are very likely to continue to do so.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 140
From: fl
We have a '20 Soul. For around town, especially here where the roads are narrow (old neighborhood) it's a great runaround vehicle. It's good on gas and it actually is quick, compared to some of the other smaller and mid-sized SUV's that are out there.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: WA
Is yours the turbo engine?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Southeastern PA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,957
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From: fl
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,159
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
As to the complaints about sluggish performance, the Soul was never intended to be a sports car. But it excels in what it does best, and what it has always done best.........a small utilitarian/commuter vehicle with superb space-efficiency, cheap to insure, and economical to run.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,503
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From: IL
They should have "refreshed" both the 2.0 and the CVT into a landfill.
I assume the 2.0 is a relative of the 8 years of 2.0's that are all getting recalled now for catastrophic engine failure. Speaking of catastrophic failure, the previous generations of the Soul with a torque-converter automatic were well rated for reliability, and now that rating has gone into the tank amid reports that the CVT is grenading as early as 2,000 miles into the life of the car. I recommended a base Soul to a family member 5 years ago. I can't in good conscience do that now.
I assume the 2.0 is a relative of the 8 years of 2.0's that are all getting recalled now for catastrophic engine failure. Speaking of catastrophic failure, the previous generations of the Soul with a torque-converter automatic were well rated for reliability, and now that rating has gone into the tank amid reports that the CVT is grenading as early as 2,000 miles into the life of the car. I recommended a base Soul to a family member 5 years ago. I can't in good conscience do that now.