There are just a few minor changes for 2022. The manual transmission option, previously offered on the base LX model, has been discontinued, and a new eight-inch head unit screen replaces the seven-inch screen from last year on the LX.
S, X-Line and GT-Line models now come standard with a 10.25-inch display screen with navigation, dual automatic climate control, pushbutton start with engine immobilizer, wireless smartphone charger and dual USB chargers.
All models have new Kia badging on the hood, liftgate, steering wheel and wheel center caps. A new Steel Gray exterior color Steel Gray replaces Sparkling Silver on LX, S and EX models.
More for you
A new LX Technology Package ($900) features 16-inch alloy wheels, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision
Avoidance Assist, Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Warning.
S, X-Line and GT model snow have a standard 10.25-inch display screen with navigation, dual automatic climate control, pushbutton start with engine immobilizer, wireless smartphone charger, and dual USB chargers.
Last year, the Soul GT-Line Turbo was simplified to Soul Turbo, with revised badging on the grille, steering wheel and rear lift gate.
Remote start, previously only available as part of the UVO telematics system, is now also integrated on the key fob for EX and Turbo models. Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic type) is standard across all variants.
Soul exterior design features include high-tech headlights, daytime running lights and turn signal indicators; a larger grille and new front fenders; three-dimensional wraparound boomerang-shaped taillights; and a vertical rear window and “island” that stay true to the Soul design heritage.
Two engines are available. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, included on all but the Soul Turbo, produces 147 horsepower and 132 foot-pounds of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The Turbo model gets the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque, connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The third generation of the boxy little Soul is still instantly recognizable as a Soul, which is a good thing. The Soul’s oddly satisfying exterior shape is what makes it stand out from the large field of small crossovers.
EPA fuel-economy ratings are a plus for the 2.0-liter engine: 27 mpg city/33 highway/30 combined. The Turbo model is rated at 27/32/29.
Our tester for this report was the Soul X-Line, with the 2.0-liter engine and the CVT, which Kia refers to as an IVT, or “intelligent variable transmission.”
With the redesign, the Soul’s iconic shape “evolved,” but was not drastically changed, Kia said.
But even though the outward appearance remains familiar, underneath the Soul features a completely new basic architecture from the ground up.
This newest Soul is 165.2 inches long, which is 2.2 inches longer than the 2019 model. Wheelbase is 102.4 inches, which is 1.2 inches longer. The width (70.9 inches) and height (63 inches) are the same as before.
Front door openings are larger, making the Soul easier to get into and out of for the driver and front passenger.
The rear liftgate opening is wider and lower, which helps with loading and unloading of gear and groceries. There is an easy-grip handle on the liftgate, and a dual-level “cargo board” offers more loading flexibility.
Front legroom is up slightly, while rear legroom is down by 0.3 inch. Headroom and shoulder room are basically unchanged.
Significant changes were made inside the vehicle, along with its safety and infotainment systems, which embrace state-of-the-art technology. Its “technologically advanced cockpit” is designed to provide a “visceral musical experience,” Kia says. This is a concession to the Soul’s target consumers: young singles and couples for whom the in-vehicle audio experience is a big consideration.
But the Soul also is popular with older empty nesters looking for value, style and utility in their primary vehicle.
Kia says the 10.25-inch wide display and available Head-Up Display help “play up Soul’s high-tech image.”
The X-Line and GT models added some visual cues that made them look sportier. The Turbo model replaced the previous generation’s Soul! model, which came with the 1.6-liter turbo engine for the base price of $22,990.
During our test, we found the 2.0-liter engine to be more than adequate in our X-Line model. The CVT shifted smoothly and at just the right times during our drives over highways, city streets and a few twisty country roads.
Among the new generation’s exterior design features are a high-tech front headlight configuration; slimmer daytime running lights and turn signals; a larger grille with two-tone appearance; revised front fenders; three-dimension wraparound boomerang-shaped taillights; and rear side panels (C-pillars) designed to resemble airplane wings.
The signature vertical rear windows carry over as part of the “Soul design heritage,” the company said.
Available sound mood lighting is designed to generate light from the center door panels and a unique 3-D pattern surface on the upper door panels, with the ability to synchronize to the beat of the music playing through the Soul’s audio system.
There is a “rainbow of customizable colors,” the automaker says, with pre-set selectable “moods” with names such as Hey! Yo, Party Time, Traveling, Romance, Midnight City and Café.
This lighting system is an option ($325), but was not included on our X-Line tester, which came with only one extra – carpeted floor mats ($135).
To help keep the occupants safe, the new Soul uses more Advanced High Strength Steel, along with hot-stamped body/frame components and structural adhesive.
Special features on the X-Line include a “rugged body” kit with body cladding and over-fenders for a “chunkier” look; off-road-inspired accents (although this is a front-drive vehicle with no off-road equipment); unique 18-inch alloy wheels; roof-rail inspired accents; optional two-tone paint (not included on our tester, which came in the Gravity Gray color); and fog lights. Our tester came with a black interior.
Standard safety features on our X-Line also included Blind-spot Collision Warning; Rear Cross Collision Warning; Lane Change Assist; antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability control, with traction control; hill-start assist; and tire-pressure monitoring. There are front seat-mounted side air bags and full-length side-curtain air bags.
Other standard equipment included AM/FM/MP3 stereo with eight-inch touch screen and rear camera; manual HVAC; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote; Bluetooth wireless technology; steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel; and automatic headlights. Pushbutton start was not included; the key must be inserted to start the vehicle.
We did find the new Soul to be remarkably quiet inside, even during highway driving, a marked improvement over the first generation of this vehicle. The first generation was so noisy in the cabin that it was hard to hear the audio system at highway speeds.
The completely manually adjusted front bucket seats were mostly comfortable, with plenty of head, leg and knee room.
Outboard rear passengers found those seats comfortable, but three adults in the rear might not be the best arrangement for a long trip. Child-seat tethers are included in the back seat.
The cargo compartment has 24.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, but can expand to as much as 62.1 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded. The seatback has a 60/40 split-folding feature.
Total sticker price of the 2022 Kia Soul X-Line tester was $22,725, including freight and the floor mats.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the San Antonio Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3.
2022 Kia Soul
The package: Five-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive, gasoline four-cylinder normally aspirated or turbocharged, subcompact crossover utility vehicle.
Advantages: Kia’s boxy small crossover, which entered its third generation for 2020, continues to have edgy exterior styling, a roomy and functional interior, and a long list of standard amenities. And it's affordable, too.
Negatives: Rear seat is best for two people only.
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder, normally aspirated; 1.6-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged (Turbo model).
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic (2.0-liter models); Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (Turbo only).
Power/torque: 147 HP./132 foot-pounds (2.0-liter); 201 HP./195 foot-pounds (1.6 Turbo).
Length: 165.2 inches.
Curb weight range (base): 2,802-3,036 pounds.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side-curtain for both rows.
Electronic stability control: Standard.
Cargo volume: 24.2 cubic feet (rear seatback in place); 62.1 cubic feet (rear seat folded).
Fuel capacity/type: 14.3 gallons/unleaded regular.
EPA fuel economy: 27 mpg city/33 highway/30 combined (2.0-liter); 27/32/29 (Turbo).
Major competitors: Nissan Kicks, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-30, Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, Subaru Crosstrek, Ford EcoSport.
Base price range: $19,190-$27,790, plus $1,175 freight.
Price as tested: $22,725, including freight and options (Soul X-Line with carpeted floor mats).
On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10).
Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.
View Inventory
