Flash Drive

2017 Kia Soul

April 1, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 Kia Soul! Exclaim Turbo with Tech Package

The 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim Turbo is a fun highway car and an excellent city car.

Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4, 201 horsepower, 195 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway/28 mpg combined

Base Price: $22,650

As Tested: $27,620

Performance:

Strong, turbocharged engine

Fun to drive

Excellent fuel economy; our best was 33.0 mpg highway

Regular and sport drive modes

The top-of-the-line Exclaim trim level includes handsome 18-inch alloy wheels.

Big tachometer

Great size for city driving/parking/errands

Blind spot monitor

Comfort:

Quality interior materials

Very good headroom

Good driver legroom, but not stretch-out

Stretch-out front passenger legroom

8-way power front seats

Firm power lumbar support for driver

Heated front and outboard rear seats

Super slick contoured leather steering wheel

The flat-bottomed, thick, contoured, heated, leather steering wheel is on par with deluxe wheels found in sports cars.

Heated steering wheel with flat bottom

Tilt/telescopic steering column

Tight backseat unless front seats are moved up

Flat rear floor

Good rear headroom

Soft, wide rear armrest

Utility:

Great sound system

Big infotainment screen

Large, deep glovebox, but no lock

Deep center console bin

Medium size front door bins

The panoramic sunroof is a very worthwhile option.

Sliding, hard plastic sunvisors

Split folding rear seats have slight slope

Some height variation from cargo deck to folded seats

Front seat room and comfort are excellent in the 2017 Kia Soul.

Only bottle notches in rear doors

Rear hatch clears tall people

Small cargo area behind seats, but ample when folded

Huge, extra storage under removable cargo deck

LED interior lamps

WOW Factors:

Peppy 201-hp turbo engine

Light, airy interior with panoramic sunroof

Very firm power lumbar support

Great heated steering wheel

Excellent Harman/Kardon stereo system

Cargo room is ample with the split folding seats down. There is a rise to the seat backs.

Power mirrors open upon approach

Whines:

Back seat knee room is tight if front seats are all back

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Kia Soul! (Exclaim) Turbo is an all-around fun car from its character to its performance, economy, comfort, quality, and value. The top-of-the-line Exclaim trim level is aptly named. The Kia Soul is dimensionally compact, but big in everything that matters.