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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Kia Soul

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Kia Soul

Overview

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2011 Kia Soul Review

By KBB Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.0

Although the 2011 Kia Soul competes directly with the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, the Soul has a much broader appeal. It enjoys styling that is neither polarizing nor awkward and Kia has a hip ad campaign that turned a common hamster into a bona fide rap star. Brisk sales and rave reviews have helped the Soul get off to a good start, but questions remain about its long-term reliability. Of course, an impressive array of standard features, one of the most original and modern interiors in the segment and a price tag starting well below its competitors make the Kia Soul a tempting morsel indeed. Making our "Top Ten Coolest Cars Under $18,000" list and strong initial resale values doesn't hurt the 2011 Kia Soul, either.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a vehicle that is both versatile and affordable, but you don't want to look like you're driving a car whose only attribute is that it's versatile and affordable, the 2011 Kia Soul is the car for you.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for rapid acceleration, all-wheel drive or the highest resale value, you'll have to spend more.

What's Significant About This Car?

For 2011, Kia will offer two Special Edition Soul models featuring automatic climate control and unique paint and trim.

Driving the Soul

Driving Impressions The 2011 Kia Soul looks cool, is loaded with features and has room for people, cargo, dogs and gear, but its ride and handling are nowhere near as impressive. The...

base model's 122-horsepower engine loud and makes the car slow. The upper-end models with the larger 142-horsepower 2.0-liter engine do a bit better, although they are also loud. The manual transmission is rubbery and no great joy to use. We say go with the automatic. When not pushed hard, the Soul delivers a comfortable ride. The steering and brakes are more than adequate. The overall feeling is that you're driving a run-of-the-mill economy car, but the experience is not unpleasant and is by no means a deal breaker.

Favorite Features

Comprehensive Audio System
The 2011 Kia Soul base model might be hampered with small steel wheels and the lack of remote keyless entry, but Kia saw fit to make sure every single Soul has a full-featured AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat/Aux/USB audio system.

iPod Bin
The 2011 Kia Soul has the best iPod station we've seen (outside of another Kia or Hyundai): An open bin, in plain view and within easy reach, with readily accessible power and connection ports.

2011 Kia Soul Details

Interior

We give Kia high praise for the Soul's interior. Not only does it feature radical themes, such as an available Hound's Tooth fabric interior and red backlit speaker grilles that pulsate to the music's beat (this feature can be turned on and off), it also is highly functional and just plain fun. Owners who choose the Sport model receive a black and bright red interior including a red dash and glove box. Functional features include front and center iPod bins, a dual-shelf glovebox, fold flush rear seats and a storage bin under the cargo area's floor.

Exterior

From its intricately detailed headlamp housing to its uncommon profile, the 2011 Kia Soul is anything but commonplace. Four differing trim levels – the base Soul, the Soul +, the up-level Soul ! and the Soul sport – offer varying visuals, in addition to their non-standard names. The base car sports black door handles and mirrors, while the others tout body-colored bits. A wide variety of accessories and wheels further distinguish the models. The Soul has 15-inch wheels, the Soul + rides on 16-inch wheels, and 18-inch wheels come on the Soul ! and Soul Sport. True to its hip and cool nature, the Soul also features a number of eye-popping color choices including Molten (deep red), Java (brown), Alien (metallic pea green) and Ignition (a metallic orange vaguely reminiscent of an orange Dreamsicle.)

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base 2011 Kia Soul comes with a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. All other Souls feature a 142-horspower four-cylinder, with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Other standards on the inexpensive base model include air conditioning, power windows and locks and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/satellite radio/USB audio system. All Souls feature six airbags and Electronic Stability Control.

Optional Equipment

Check all the option boxes and your 2011 Kia Soul will include front fog lamps, a moonroof, upgraded audio system including center subwoofer and 315-watt amp, leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The Soul sport gets a sport-tuned suspension, unique front, rear and side styling elements, metal-finish pedals and interior accents, and a red/black interior color scheme. Options for the sport include heated leather seats and a power moonroof.

Under the Hood

The base model 2011 Kia Soul features a smaller 122-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine that's available only with a five-speed manual transmission. Kia doesn't anticipate selling too many of these. We wouldn't buy it, either. Most 2011 Kia Souls will feature a 142-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine, which is offered with a four-speed automatic or the five-speed manual.

1.6-liter in-line 4
122 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
115 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/31

2.0-liter in-line 4
142 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
137 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30

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Buying this car?

2011 Kia Soul Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 196 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

9.0/10

Most Horrible Car I have Ever Owned!

By Shaun (MD) on Sunday, February 24, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: MPG, Cheap Interior, Engine Issues, Horrible Ride, Broken Audio System. - My approximate mileage is 4,250

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Good Sound System"

Cons: "Poor resale, Reliability, Slow, Ride quality, Cost"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I have owned 8 cars in my lifetime. The Soul is by far the worst. I decided to give in after people told me it was a good car for the money and was great on MPG. What a mistake! The car was in the shop 8 times in the 6 months I owned it. It has engine issues and idled rough every time I drove it. The ride was bumpy and you could feel every tiny dip in the road right into your drivers seat. The engine gears were sluggish and it felt like it struggled to get out of it's own way, especially uphill. Another draw for my was the UVO system with touchscreen and sound system. However, whenever I plugged my iPod into it, it made a popping noise that the dealer couldn't figure out. I found out it was wide spread among all of the cars and they said they would have a fix in a few weeks. 6 months went by and no fix, so I guess if you own one you live with it. I was disrespected multiple times when I called KIA for service at the dealer and on the phone, they acted like the car breaking down was my fault and were very ignorant to me. How this car can be voted as a best buy astounds me. I paid $21,900 when I bought it and 6 months later, I was only able to get $15,000 for it. SO BE WARNED... KIA cars have the crappiest resale values of any car and when you get rid of it (which you will), it will hurt your pockets the most. Don't trust your test drive in this car because the things that will make you hate it are the things you won't pick up on driving it the 2 miles the dealer lets you. I hope I saved you from making a huge mistake like I did."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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NOT JUST ANOTHER "compact clone" Hondarollacivic!

By OCsoulman (CA) on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Driving dynamics, quality, incredible paint."

Cons: "Hmmmm....nothing comes to mind!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"It's an interesting vehicle to drive, when is the last time you had a car that people actually walked by in a walmart parking lot and actually take notice of it? But thats NOT why people are flocking to the KIA dealers to snap them up. All age groups too..not just the initial targeted buyers...the young "urban" folks. But when we bought mine (our 3rd KIA within 1 year!) which is the 2013 Soul Exclaim, I saw a bunch of oldsters taking delivery of their brand new Souls...whe I asked them what made them decide on the Soul, universally it was comfort, roominess, fuel mileage, and VALUE! And the way KIA loads them up with standard equipment for the price is awsum! And top rated for safety and customer satisfaction. Plus the 10 year 100,000 warranty is icing on the cake!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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