Kia is continuing to keep its funky, box-shaped Soul hatchback relevant with updates for 2022 (the model last received a redesign for 2020). The 2022 Soul gets some minor styling tweaks, and most trims receive a larger dashboard touchscreen.
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Like Kia’s other new or revised models, the 2022 Soul swaps Kia’s oval badge for the automaker’s new one. The more fluid version of the Kia nameplate graces the hood, liftgate and wheel center caps.
LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX and Turbo trims return for 2022. All versions except the base LX trim now get the Soul’s larger multimedia screen as standard; the 10.25-inch display comes with navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are again standard (through a wired connection, not wireless). Other additions to all trims above the LX include dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a wireless smartphone charger and dual USB charge ports.
There’s also news for the LX trim: It’s losing its manual transmission. A continuously variable automatic is now the sole transmission for all trim levels except the Turbo, which continues to pair a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with its 1.6-liter turbo engine. (Other trims get a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine.)
In other LX news, the base trim gets a slightly larger standard multimedia screen (8 inches, up an inch from 2021) and now has access to a bevy of safety features that were previously unavailable. The new LX Technology Package adds blind spot and cross-traffic collision warnings, lane change assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist and a driver attention warning system. It costs $900.
The 2022 Kia Soul starts at $20,365 in base LX form with the newly standard CVT, $100 more than the similarly equipped model-year 2021 version. Other trims see small increases in price for 2022. The S trim, for example, starts at $22,665 for 2022 — $800 more than the 2021 model (all prices include destination).
Kia says the 2022 Soul will go on sale in the next few weeks.
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