Which 2023 Kia Soul is Right for You?

Feb 22, 2023 by kbb.ca Editors

Find out which trim level of Kia’s small-yet-tall hatchback is best for you

What is the 2023 Kia Soul?

Practical and charming, the 2023 Kia Soul is a subcompact hatchback with a twist, shunning run-of-the-mill design for a brazen boxiness. The front-wheel drive Soul has a unique squared-off look, complemented by an almost-SUV ride height. The Soul can be an excellent choice for driving around town with two tall friends in the back. The size and shape make it easy to park. There’s a battery-only version for buyers who want to go electric.

How much does the Kia Soul cost?

The 2023 Soul may be a relatively small car, but its lineup is extensive, with seven trims to choose from. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Pricing starts with the base LX trim at $22,595 in Canadian dollars. Remote keyless entry, an eight-inch audio display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and Rear Occupant Alert elevate the Soul from some of its rivals' bare-bones offerings.

All gas-powered Souls use a four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. After the base LX, each Soul level adds comfort and convenience features, highlighted by advanced driving and safety aids. For example, the next-rung-up Soul EX adds Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Follow Assist, and Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist.

The most expensive gas engine trim, the $29,495 GT-Line Limited, gains Smart Cruise Control, Advanced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning Function, and Highway Drive Assist.

The battery-electric Soul EV starts at $43,095 in Premium trim. It features a similar set of equipment as its gas-engine counterpart, with features like the larger 10.25-inch multimedia interface with integrated navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Kia Connect services. If you want such niceties as leather seats (with the front seats heated and cooled) and a premium audio system, there’s the $52,095 EV Limited.

The 2023 Soul also comes with Kia Canada's generous five-year/100,000-kilometre basic warranty.

What are the Kia’s power and fuel economy ratings?

Gas-powered Souls employ a 2.0-litre four-cylinder devoid of any turbochargers or superchargers. It makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Drive goes to the front wheels through an automatic transmission of the continuously variable (CVT) variety. City and highway combined fuel economy comes in at an estimated 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

The electric Soul’s 64-kilowatt-hour battery produces 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft mated to a single-speed reduction gear automatic transmission. Its driving range between charges is estimated at 248 kilometres, with 20.0 to 21.0 Le/100 km combined energy consumption estimates.

What’s the interior of the Soul like?

The Kia’s interior design doesn’t have quite the same charm as the exterior. Unsurprisingly, there are some cheap plastics here and there. But at least the cabin is user-friendly and practical. Getting into and out of the Soul is especially easy, thanks to a slightly raised stance. Although the Soul has a youthful appeal, those with creakier joints might also like to check it out.

The GT-Line Limited trim does its best to seem like the sporty one of the range with a flat-bottomed steering wheel. This model also offers the Harman Kardon audio system with synchronizing lights in the front speakers. Those with creakier joints may not care about this at all.

A high roof means plenty of headroom in both rows. But this isn’t a wide car, so although two adults sitting in the back will be fine, three make the proverbial crowd. The rear legroom is 985 millimetres—generous for something with a subcompact footprint.

Cargo space is similarly impressive, ranging from 530 litres with the 60/40 rear seats up (663 with the floor lowered) to 1,758 (1,753 in the EV) when those seats are folded (they don’t go completely flat, though).

What are some of the Kia subcompact hatchback’s best features?

CARGO SPACE: As mentioned above, there’s plenty of it, and the Soul’s shape ensures it’s accessible and practical. Moving from one city apartment to another might easily be done in a single trip.

DESIGN: Yes, it’s subjective. And praising something that’s essentially a box on wheels seems counter-intuitive. But it’s this very approach that makes the Soul so special.

What's the 2023 Kia Soul’s competition?

If someone is serious about a new Soul, they have already considered and discounted the notion of getting a more conventional subcompact SUV. But in the absence of any like-for-like rivals, alternative rides could be the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks (neither offers a battery-electric version).