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What kind of car is the 2024 Kia Soul? What does it compare to?
The Soul is a five-passenger subcompact crossover that could also reasonably be considered a hatchback. It competes against other value-oriented small vehicles like the Hyundai Venue, and Nissan Kicks.
Is the 2024 Kia Soul a good car?
It would be better if it was safer, but its features and styling contribute to a TCC Rating of 6.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2024 Kia Soul?
It mostly carries over, except for minor styling and feature updates. A new EX Designer Package adds cloth and synthetic leather upholstery in an umber-colored palette, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels. Models with the Smart Key feature get a new theft-prevention sleep mode function that helps protect the key frequency from hackers.
The Soul’s trim levels carry over, starting with the LX and S, up to the best-equipped EX, and moving to the sporty GT-Line (which Kia positions as the top trim even though it costs less than the EX). The body is a few years old but still looks fresh, especially with a front end that emulates EV styling yet maintains its friendliness. The interior, dark and minimalist to a fault, could actually benefit from a few more details.
With just one drivetrain, the Soul is limited to 147 hp, a CVT, and front-wheel drive. It’s resolutely moderate in its pace, though it’s quiet and confident unlike some of its contemporaries. The calm ride and hefty steering are underutilized and underappreciated, however, and can easily handle more grunt.
The Soul seats five, technically, though the back row is far more comfortable with two. That’s an issue of width rather than any other measure; there’s plenty of headroom. With seats folded, that opens up to a maximum of 61.2 cubic feet. It’s potentially a great car for young buyers who anticipate family-oriented lifestyle changes in the coming years.
That said, safety is the main blot on the Soul’s report card. It fares well in IIHS testing but flounders in NHTSA testing. Some key safety features, like automatic emergency braking, do come standard.
How much does the 2024 Kia Soul cost?
This year, the destination fee climbs by $100 to $1,325, but otherwise, prices hold nearly steady. The base LX, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and automatic emergency braking, costs $21,315. The S, at $23,815, upgrades to a 10.3-inch touchscreen that carries through the rest of the lineup. With nicer interior trim and bigger wheels, the EX comes out to $25,615.
Where is the 2024 Kia Soul made?
In South Korea.
