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2012 Kia Soul

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Overview

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2012 Kia Soul Review

By Joe Santos, KBB.com Editor

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

Since its debut in 2009, the Kia Soul has enjoyed brisk sales and rave reviews that have helped the Soul get off to a good start, but questions remain about its popularity in the long-run. 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. For 2012, Kia has restyled the Soul and given it features that make it even more competitive with the likes of the Nissan Cube and Scion xB. At this rate, we could wager a good guess that the Soul will be around for years to come.

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 2012 Kia Soul is the car for you

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the Kia Soul is a formidable competitor for cars like the Scion xB and the Nissan Cube, it doesn't hold onto its resale value as well as either.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.8
Driving Dynamics

7.2
Comfort & Convenience

7.0
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.2
Value

8.0
Safety

8.0

Consumer Rating

8.4 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

For 2012, the Kia Soul receives a minor facelift, new drivetrains and a host of new interior features. The Soul Sport trim level has been discontinued.

Driving the Soul

Driving Impressions Our time behind the wheel of the 2012 Kia Soul was spent with the Soul + trim level with the new 2.0-liter engine. While we would have preferred more city...

driving in order to get a rounded evaluation of the revised powertrain, the high-speed cruising gave us a taste of the passing power that the additional 22 horsepower can deliver. While this was impressive, the new 6-speed automatic does require a downshift or two on inclines and when passing, but it also allows for quieter, low-rpm cruising at freeway speeds. The manual-shift mode came in handy a couple of times and we liked the fact that there wasn't a long pause between gear shifts. While the ride quality remains the same as the previous-generation Soul, it was noticeably quieter thanks to the added insulation.

Favorite Features

Infinity Audio System
The new 350-watt system is music to our ears, quite literally. We enjoy the crispness and the clarity of the new sound system.

6-speed automatic transmission
We always wondered why the Soul even came with a 4-speed automatic in the first place. The two extra gears aid in greater fuel economy and the tap up/tap down shifting makes passing effortless.

2012 Kia Soul Details

Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

We give high praise for the 2012 Kia Soul's interior. Not only does it feature radical themes, such as an available hounds-tooth fabric interior and multi-colored 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. 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. A tilt/telescoping wheel is now standard for 2012 and the improved isolation promotes a quieter cabin.

Exterior

From its intricately-detailed headlamp housing to its uncommon profile, the 2012 Kia Soul is anything but commonplace. Three differing trim levels – the Soul, the Soul + and the up-level Soul ! – offer varying visuals, in addition to their non-standard names. For 2012 all models received new front and rear fascia and headlamp treatments and a new Moss color option is available. The Soul has 15-inch wheels, the Soul+ rides on 16-inch wheels and The Soul ! has 18-inch wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base 2012 Kia Soul comes with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. All other Souls feature a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, with a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Other standard equipment on the inexpensive base model includes air conditioning, power windows and locks, tilt/telescoping wheel and a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius XM audio system with USB and auxiliary ports. All Souls feature six airbags and electronic stability control.

Optional Equipment

Check all the option boxes and your 2012 Kia Soul will include front fog lamps, a moonroof, a new 350-watt 7-speaker Infinity sound system, leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Other notable options include ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology, a navigation system, UVO infotainment system and a rearview camera.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Kia Soul features a 1.6-liter engine with 138 horsepower - 16 more than the engine it replaces - mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. And the 2.0-liter engine in the higher trim levels has been revised as well, offering 164 horsepower - 22 more than before - but is available only with the 6-speed automatic . Both versions receive a welcome bump in fuel economy.

1.6-liter in-line 4
138 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
123 lb-ft of torque @ 4,850 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35, 29/36 (automatic transmission + low-rolling-resistance tires)

2.0-liter in-line 4
164 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34, 27/35 (automatic transmission + low-rolling-resistance tires)

Pricing Notes

The 2012 Kia Soul base model has a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting around $14,000. The top trim Soul ! starts just under $20,000, but can jump to around $23,000 with all the option boxes checked. The 2011 Scion xB starts around $16,500 and can be equipped into the low $20,000 range, while 2011 Nissan Cube sticker prices range from just over $15,000 to slightly beyond $20,000. Other Soul strengths include an attractive warranty (10-year/100,000-mile powertrain, 5-year/60,000-mile basic) and competitive resale value. To get the best price on your 2012 Kia Soul, be sure to take a look at its Fair Purchase Price on kbb.com before heading to the dealership.

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2012 Kia Soul Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.4

Out of 10

Based on 163 Ratings for the 2010 - 2012 Kia Soul models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.7/10

Styling

9.0/10

Good vechicle if you don't suffer from back pain.

By Piglet (CO) on Saturday, May 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 162

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Lots of great features. Fun to drive."

Cons: "Very uncomfortable seats."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I just bought 2012 KIA Soul base car a week ago and already have back, shoulder and neck pain. If you suffer back issues I do not recommend this there are better cars out there that will give you better support."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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How Quick The Tide Turns!

By Shaun (MD) on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,200

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Infinity Audio System, UVO Infotainment System"

Cons: "UVO Issues, Resale Value, Cargo, Rough Ride, Price"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I have been a Ford guy for years, the Soul was my 9th vehicle and I bought into it because it was affordable and pretty cool. I bought the car in April and loved it at first, I have the Exclaim! model with the sunroof, UVO System and all the extras. The longer I have it, the more things are starting to make me mad with it. For example, the UVO system that they charged me the extra $1,200 for has an issue with connecting an iPod where it pops and cracks and ruins your listening experience! I have called the dealer and KIA directly and they keep telling me they're working on an update to fix that! That has been months with nothing new. With the 18" wheels, the ride is borderline horrible if you don't have newly paved streets. I have also seen a significant drop in throttle power and MPG every week since I've owned it. At first, it was really fast, then it feels like it doesn't want to move. Thought I had an engine problem but KIA said it was fine. I also experience the shaking and vibrations when coming to a stop at red lights and parking spots that everyone else is complaining of, it's really bad too! It makes my head hurt sometimes because it chugs and shakes like the engine is going to blow up! The cargo area is not as generous as it looks, I went to pick up some large pizza's for a party a few weeks ago and I had to fold the back seat down to fit the boxes in! However, there are good things too. The Infinity audio system is totally awesome and the touch screen UVO system works flawlessly! It has some trouble when you ask it to play artists it doesn't know like Paramore. You have to slowly pronounce the name like your talking to a foreign exchange student before it picks it up. The seats are good if you aren't going far, but I sat in it for about an hour one day and I could barely bend my back when I got out of it, they are very hard seats! One other thing that annoys me is the resale value being poor. The issues I listed got on my nerves so much I actually tried to sell it and get the new Escape that just came out, but I just got low-balled by everyone and their excuse was "It's a KIA, they don't hold value at all." I heard that from 5 different people and that by far is the worst thing because it means you can't come out good enough to get something else if you decide you don't like it! The KIA soul is a good car, depending on what you're looking for? I would say take it for a test drive and then another. Then, take it one more time because the things that will annoy you about this car are things that you won't necessarily pick up on driving it for 5 minutes!"

12 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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